YouTube vs. Vimeo
When you put your video on your website, there’s a good chance you’ll need a video hosting service to do so.
The two I get asked about most often are YouTube and Vimeo. Here are some pros and cons for each platform:
YOUTUBE
Pros:
Free
Wide reaching (It’s basically a video search engine + social platform)
Customizable linking and end cards
Cons:
No control over pre-roll ads (they can advertise your competitor before they play your video)
Limited player customization for embeds
Low video quality (due to bitrate)
VIMEO
Pros:
No ads
Customizable video player (eg. you can streamline the player and use your brand colors for embedding)
Privacy control over embed locations, commenting, etc.
Customized email gates, links, and end cards available
Easy video replacement for new versions
Can post to website and social media platforms from one location, condensing your analytics
Higher video quality (due to bitrate)
Cons:
You need a paid account for most features
Doesn’t drive traffic in the same way YouTube can
So, which should you choose?
The answer depends on your audience, but I recommend most businesses use both:
Take advantage of YouTube’s search engine and social media features by sharing your videos so they can be found there. (Make sure to include a clear call to action with each one.)
Then, unless you’re intentionally building a community of followers on YouTube, leverage the flexibility Vimeo offers for hosting videos for your website and other uses.
Here’s to the best of both worlds!