We at FastPix stopped saying “video is the future” because it’s already happening! Video has become the keystone of online engagement, with reports indicating an 88% increase in user engagement on websites featuring video content. As the digital landscape evolves, integrating video into your platform has transitioned from being an option to a necessity.
According to the latest industry report from Statista, video now constitutes over 80% of internet content, demonstrating its dominance in capturing user attention. Additionally, a survey conducted by Nielsen suggests that users spend 70% more time engaging with video content over static content.
But that’s not all, integrating it seamlessly into your product is more crucial for engaging audiences. When considering how to integrate video into your application or website, there are three primary approaches: Embed Video, Native video using API-based third-party platforms, or developing an In-house DIY solution. Each method presents its own set of advantages and considerations, catering to diverse needs and objectives.
Define your objective first! Your requirement for video might include prioritizing user experience enhancements, scalability for accommodating growing user bases, customization to align with brand identity, efficient resource utilization, or even a blend of these elements.
For instance, if the primary aim is to offer a seamless, branded video experience while efficiently scaling with user growth, the ideal solution should provide a balance between control, scalability, and expert support. Here are a few high-level factors which you can consider while evaluating different approaches to stream video online:
Embedding video involves integrating video from a hosting platform directly into your webpage or application. Services like YouTube, Vimeo, or Dailymotion offer easy embedding options, allowing users to showcase videos without hosting them directly. This offers a swift start and is also cost-effective, making it ideal for initial testing. However, it often lacks control over branding, user experience, and scalability, potentially impacting long-term engagement.
The benefits of embedding include:
However, embedding video also comes with limitations:
Further, YouTube provides a features which restricts public access to any video by listing it as private. But in case of your viewers - they also need to sign-in with their designated accounts on which the video was shared (Gmail Id). This becomes a hassle both for you and your viewers.
Using third-party platforms like FastPix or others offers a balance between control and efficiency. These platforms provide robust APIs, customizable solutions, and comprehensive support for quick deployment. They enable complete control over the user experience while offering scalability and expertise.
These third-party API-based platforms offer:
However, API-based platforms also present challenges:
Building an in-house video infrastructure promises full customization and control as you build according to your needs. However, it demands extensive resources, technical expertise, and ongoing maintenance. This approach can be slow to market, diverting focus from core product innovation. Challenges also include the need to keep pace with evolving video trends and standards.
Benefits include:
Few challenges with in-house solutions:
An extensive analysis by Forrester Research emphasizes that 65% of enterprises face challenges in maintaining and scaling DIY video solutions, citing resource constraints and slower time-to-market as primary hurdles.
Each method offers its own set of advantages and drawbacks:
We have collated a comparison between FastPix (API for video) and the most widely used services across DIY and Embeds. Think of us as biased but this is the real picture:
In conclusion, the decision shouldn't just be based on immediate needs but should encompass future scalability and innovation. Because, we are now at inflection point in how forward-thinking companies are leveraging video to drive connection and traction.
Embed vs native video vs DIY have differences in approach – and this decision will have long-lasting implications for team bandwidth, development time, and the ability to keep up with new video standards and technology. It will affect how you grow, and your ability to iterate and build new video experiences over time into your product.
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