Top 10 Ecommerce Video Hosting Sites

A great video draws you into a new setting, whether it’s the thrill of a live concert, mastering a new yoga move, or following a new recipe. It’s no wonder more businesses are using videos to connect with customers. But have you ever clicked on a video only to sit there waiting while it loads forever? That’s not the kind of experience businesses should be providing and that’s exactly why choosing the right video hosting site is important.

If a video keeps buffering, lags, or doesn’t even play right on your phone or laptop, it’s not just annoying. It actually makes people want to leave your site, and that’s bad news for any business. Choosing a good video hosting site makes sure your videos play smoothly right from the start, keeping everything looking good and running smoothly on your site.

Why do you need a separate ecommerce video hosting site

Imagine you're running an online store packed with engaging videos showcasing your products—from detailed tutorials to unboxing clips. In theory, this sounds like a great and effective video marketing strategy. But if these videos slow down your site, customers might bounce before they even see what you have to offer. Or maybe, as your video library grows, so do your hosting costs, plummeting your ROI. 

Not using a separate video hosting service can complicate things more than you'd think, impacting everything from website speed to security. 

1. Reduced site performance: Hosting videos directly on your eCommerce server can significantly slow down your website’s loading times. Videos are large files, and serving them directly impacts server bandwidth and processing power, which can lead to slower page load times for users. This slowdown can affect user experience and potentially decrease conversion rates, as visitors may leave the site if pages take too long to load.

2. Increased costs: Streaming video content consumes a lot of bandwidth. If your hosting plan has bandwidth limits, you could face high overage charges. Additionally, you might need to upgrade your hosting plan to accommodate large video files, which can be costly. Also, as the business grows, you will need more storage and managing this on your own server can be technically challenging as well.

3. Reduced security: Hosting videos in-house requires you to manage security measures to protect video content from piracy and unauthorized access. Dedicated video hosting sites often have strong security protocols in place to manage these risks.

Choosing not to use a dedicated video hosting service can mean that you lose more than you save.

Choosing the best eCommerce video hosting sites for your business

When selecting an eCommerce video hosting site for your business, there are several key features to consider to ensure the platform can meet your specific needs effectively:

1. Performance and reliability

Look for a service that ensures videos load quickly and play smoothly across all devices and internet conditions. This includes support for adaptive streaming technologies that adjust the video quality based on the viewer's internet speed. Here are some key aspects to ensure your audience is getting the best experience:

• Load times: Quick load times are important to deliver content rapidly across various internet speeds and devices, ensuring minimal delay in video start times.
• Uptime guarantees: Look for platforms that offer high uptime guarantees, typically above 99.9%. Consistent availability ensures that your videos are always accessible to your audience, ensuring reliability.
• Global Content Delivery Network (CDN): A robust CDN speeds up your videos by storing them in different locations around the world. When someone watches your video, they get it from the nearest location, which makes videos load faster and reduces interruptions.
• Redundancy and backup: Reliable platforms have systems in place to handle hardware failures and other issues without disrupting service. This includes having redundant infrastructure and regular backups to protect your data.

2. Scalability

Dedicated video hosting solutions are built to handle large volumes of traffic and data, allowing them to scale quickly and efficiently as the demand increases. This is important for eCommerce businesses due to seasonal spikes in traffic.

The platform should be able to handle growth in video content and viewership without degradation in performance. 

• Traffic Handling: The platform should be able to manage significant spikes in viewership without slowing down or crashing, especially during high-traffic events like launches or promotions.
• Storage Expansion: As your video library grows, you’ll need more storage. A scalable platform should offer flexible storage options that can increase as your needs grow without requiring a major rework on your existing setup.
• Platform Updates: Choose a platform that regularly updates its technology to handle new video formats, higher quality streams, and security threats, keeping your video content updated and secure.

3. Analytics

Comprehensive analytics are vital. You'll want detailed insights into how viewers interact with your videos, including view counts, watch time, and engagement metrics. Learning the demographics of your viewers and how long they watch your videos, at which points they drop off, and which parts they re-watch can help you fine-tune your content for better engagement. Knowing where your viewers are coming from (e.g., direct links, search engines, social media) allows you to tailor your marketing strategies and allocate your budget more effectively.

Some video hosting sites offer tools to track how videos contribute to your sales funnel. Look for features that integrate with your eCommerce platform to see which videos lead to conversions and sales. Being able to see how your videos are performing in real-time can help you quickly adjust your strategies and make the most out of trending content or viral opportunities.

4. Technical Support and Security

Professional video hosting sites offer robust security measures to protect content from unauthorized access and piracy. Look for features like password protection, encryption, and domain restriction that prevent unauthorized access and distribution. Depending on your location and industry, compliance with standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC2 may be necessary. Ensure the platform meets these legal and security standards.

They also provide technical support to resolve issues quickly, which is essential for smooth operations. It is usually a good idea to use platforms that offer 24/7 support, ensuring help is available whenever you need it, regardless of time zone.

If an important video is left buffering overnight, it means a lot of lost customers. Some platforms provide proactive monitoring, meaning they watch for and address issues before they impact your service. This can especially be useful if you have a vast video library.

5. SEO Benefits

Hosting videos on popular platforms like YouTube can also offer SEO advantages. These platforms are often prioritized in search engine results, increasing visibility and potentially driving more traffic to your website, hence driving higher sales.

When evaluating the SEO benefits of video hosting sites for your eCommerce business, consider these key factors:

• Video sitemaps: Look for a platform that supports or helps generate video sitemaps. These are crucial for helping search engines understand and index your video content effectively, making it more likely to appear in search results.
• Metadata customization: The ability to customize metadata, including titles, descriptions, and tags, can significantly impact how search engines index and rank your videos. Effective metadata helps convey the relevance of your content to search algorithms.
• Embedding capabilities: Choose a platform that allows for easy embedding of videos on your website. Embedded videos can increase the time visitors spend on your site, a positive signal to search engines that can boost your site's overall SEO.
• Loading Speed: Fast-loading videos contribute to better user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing the time spent on the site. 
• HTTPS Encryption: Ensuring that your video hosting platform supports HTTPS is vital for security and SEO. Google and other search engines prioritize secure websites in their rankings, so having your videos served over a secure connection can be beneficial.
• Social Sharing Options: Platforms that offer easy social sharing capabilities can increase your video's reach and visibility, leading to more backlinks and social signals—both of which are beneficial for SEO.
• Content Accessibility: Ensure the platform supports making your video content accessible, including options for closed captions and transcripts. These features not only make your videos more accessible to a broader audience but can also provide additional text for indexing by search engines.

6. Advanced Features

Video hosting sites often provide advanced features that are not typically available with basic web hosting services. These include adaptive bitrate streaming, video analytics, customer engagement tools, and interactive elements like clickable links within videos. These features can enhance the user experience and provide valuable insights into viewer behavior. If direct monetization of your video content is part of your strategy, look for platforms that offer options like pay-per-view, subscriptions, or advertising integration.

For businesses that need to protect their intellectual property, advanced Digital Rights Management (DRM) options are essential. These can include license management, encryption, watermarking, and restricted playback features.

Top 10 eCommerce video hosting sites

Video content is a powerful tool in the eCommerce world, helping to increase engagement, boost SEO, and convert viewers into customers. Now that we have discussed how to select a video hosting site that suits your business, lets look at the top options available.

1. Whatmore.ai

Whatmore is an AI-powered video commerce platform designed to enhance website conversions. Using Whatmore, you can simply turn product images into engaging videos synced with the latest tunes, ideal for businesses aiming to increase engagement and sales.

Whatmore ensures the content works on all possible channels with no interruptions without impacting page speed of the website.

Our other product—Whatmore Studio—helps you create engaging video content for your Instagram engagement and Video Ads just within 60 seconds. You can create product videos with product links, select the vibe to auto-select trending music and auto-sync the transitions based on the music. 

Key Features:

• Create shoppable videos in multiple formats—from stories and carousels to floating cards and more—directly from product images.
• Easy integration with platforms like Shopify.
• Detailed analytics for tracking engagement and conversions.
• Customizable video aesthetics to match brand identity.
• Support for bulk video import and smart inventory sync.

Pricing:

We offer flexible pricing based on your monthly website visitors, starting at $25/month with a 14-day free trial for each plan. We also offer a custom plan to suit your exact requirements. 

Read more about our features and try for free.

2. YouTube

YouTube is a vast video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, and share videos. It caters to a wide range of content including music videos, tutorials, vlogs, and more. 

As a video hosting solution, YouTube provides tools for embedding videos on websites, comprehensive analytics to track viewer behavior, and strong security measures to protect content.  Its integration with Google’s search engine also provides significant SEO advantages and its analytics can offer deep insights into viewer behavior.

It supports high-definition video streaming and offers advanced features like automated captions, custom thumbnails, and interactive cards, making it an excellent choice for enhancing online presence and engagement.

Key Features:

• Vast audience reach with over 2 billion logged-in monthly users.
• SEO benefits from Google.
• Extensive analytics through YouTube Analytics.
• Monetization options via ads and YouTube’s Partner Program.

Pricing:

Free with optional paid features through YouTube Premium.

3. Vimeo

Vimeo is a video hosting site known for its high-quality streaming up to 4K, no ads, and customizable video players that can match your brand's style. Vimeo also offers tools for video analytics, lead capture, and more, making it easy to manage and track your video's performance. Plus, its user-friendly interface and strong privacy settings make it a preferred choice for those seeking control over who views their content.

Key Features:

• High-quality video hosting without ads.
• Advanced privacy and sharing options.
• Video marketing tools with Vimeo Business.
• Live streaming capabilities.

Pricing:

Offers a basic free plan with paid plans starting from $12/month to $65/month for more advanced business features.

4. Videowise

Videowise turns static product images into engaging, shoppable videos that are optimized with AI for fast loading and increased conversions. It is tailored for industries like fashion, beauty, and more, integrating seamlessly with platforms such as Shopify.

Key Features:

• Integrates directly into eCommerce platforms like Shopify.
• Allows shoppable video and video marketing.
• Provides analytics specific to eCommerce needs.

Pricing:

Plans start at $99/month with a 21-days free trial.

5. Brightcove

Brightcove is popular for its video management and distribution capabilities. It caters primarily to large businesses and professional broadcasters, offering features like live streaming, video marketing tools, and in-depth analytics. Brightcove enables users to monetize their video content effectively and ensures videos are delivered smoothly across all devices and platforms. The platform also provides advanced security options to protect content and supports integration with a wide range of other business and marketing tools.

Key Features:

• Advanced video marketing tools.
• Live streaming and on-demand video.
• Integrations with major business tools.
• Comprehensive analytics and video management.

Pricing:

Custom pricing based on the specific needs and scale of the business.

6. SproutVideo

SproutVideo designed to support businesses in enhancing their video marketing efforts. It offers robust features like live streaming, video analytics, and lead capture tools. With SproutVideo, users can create secure video content with password protection and engagement analytics to track viewer interactions. 

The platform also facilitates the customization of video players and embeds to match the branding of your business, making it a versatile tool for companies looking to leverage video for growth and customer engagement.

Key Features:

• Offers live streaming and video on demand.
• Security features like password protection and encryption.
• Detailed analytics for viewer engagement.
• Lead capture and marketing tools integration.

Pricing:

Plans start from $10/month up to $295/month for more extensive needs.

7. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a robust and scalable video hosting solution through its wide range of services like Amazon S3 for storage and Amazon CloudFront for content delivery. It supports high-quality video streaming and offers extensive customization options for different business needs.

AWS is known for its reliability, extensive infrastructure, and ability to handle large-scale video operations efficiently. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that need a powerful, flexible platform capable of managing vast amounts of video data and delivering it anywhere in the world.

Key Features:

• Highly scalable and reliable for large volumes of video data and traffic spikes without manual intervention.
• Integrated with Amazon CloudFront, it ensures fast delivery of video content globally.
• Amazon S3 offers secure, durable, and highly-scalable object storage.
• AWS offers strong security measures, including data encryption and compliance with various regulatory standards.

Pricing:

Pricing varies with a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with detailed pricing calculators available on the AWS website.

8. Vidyard

Vidyard is a video hosting platform that focuses on business communications, marketing, and sales team support. It provides tools for creating and hosting videos with features like personalized video messaging, video analytics, and integrations with CRM systems. 

Vidyard helps companies engage their audience through targeted video content and tracks viewer engagement to optimize marketing strategies. The platform is especially known for its ability to convert viewers into leads and customers through its in-depth analytics and customization options.

Key Features:

• Create personalized videos for each viewer to enhance engagement.
• Detailed insights into viewer behavior help tailor marketing and sales strategies.
• Tools for recording and editing videos directly within the platform.
• Features like forms and calls-to-action embedded in videos to convert viewers into leads.
• Seamlessly connects with CRM systems to enrich lead data and track video interactions.
• Ensuideo content is secure with password protection and private sharing options.

Pricing:

Free for basic use, with pro features starting at $19/month.

9. Spotlightr

Spotlightr is a video hosting platform tailored for course creators and marketers, offering a suite of tools to enhance video-based learning and marketing. It focuses on providing secure, customizable, and marketing-ready video solutions that integrate seamlessly with platforms like WordPress and LearnDash.

Key Features:

• Interactive video elements like CTAs and annotations.
• Detailed analytics to gauge viewer interaction.
• HLS encryption to secure video content.
• Customizable players and branding options.
• Marketing tools including pay-per-view options, email gates, and detailed analytics.
• Support for both live and on-demand video content.
• Seamless integrations with WordPress and LearnDash for educational content delivery

Pricing:

Starts at $15/month with various tiers based on features and usage.

10. Wistia

Wistia is a comprehensive video marketing platform designed for businesses to create, host, market, and analyze videos. It's tailored to boost engagement and conversions through a suite of intuitive tools that simplify video management and enhance viewer interaction.

Key Features:

• Video creation and editing tools directly in the browser
• Ad-free, customizable video hosting and embedding
• Integrated video SEO for enhanced discoverability
• Lead generation capabilities through video forms
• Detailed analytics with heatmaps and engagement metrics
• Seamless integrations with marketing platforms like HubSpot and Marketo

Pricing:

Free for a basic plan with limited features; basic plan starts at $19/month.

In conclusion, choosing the right video hosting site for your eCommerce business is crucial. Video hosting sites not only enhance user engagement through high-quality, fast-loading videos but also improve SEO and increase conversions by providing a smooth viewing experience to your potential customers. Each platform, whether it's YouTube for its vast reach or Whatmore for its easy video creation and detailed analytics, offers unique features. Carefully assessing these can help you leverage video content to grow your revenue.

Ready to make your eCommerce site stand out? With Whatmore.ai, you can easily turn your product images into eye-catching videos that help drive sales. Give it a try and see how simple it is to ramp up your online store!