VIDEO BACKGROUND ON WEBSITE – WHO SHOULD CONSIDER AND WHAT CAN BE ADDED?

When you come across a video background on a website for the first time it pops-up a good number of questions in mind. Those beautiful 15-30 seconds videos are good enough to entice you to the website and there is no secret that you may want the same for your website as well. The first question that comes across while watching these websites with video background is that if you should consider it or not and if you should consider that what all can you add? Let’s discuss the objectives and possibilities one by one.

Image by Pixabay

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER?

Frankly speaking, any company or individual who has a product or a service to showcase to the client can use video backgrounds on the website. You can be a photographer, videographer, dress designer, Makeup artist, jeweler, baker, handmade gift seller or anyone from any other field. The basic idea behind using a video in the background especially on the homepage is to give a clearer idea about the products and the services to the visitors.

HOW CAN IT BE USED?

There are two ways by which you can create a video background. The first way is by using smaller clips to clear a video montage of your work which can include products, services, behind the scene videos etc. The second way is by using the still images to create a video slideshow which can showcase the products of the services.

DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT NICHE

The niche of every website owner is different. Thus it is very important to understand what can be shown in the background video. We have compiled a few examples below which will give you a better idea of what you can include in such videos.

Image by Free Range

• For photographers: Whether you are a product, fashion, wedding or contemporary photographer, the work is entirely different from the other photographers. In case of weddings and fashion photography, you can showcase your best work in the form of slideshows, or you can also add behind the scene videos where you can show what all goes in the process of creating those photographs. In case of product photography, you can show how you illuminated the product to look better in the photographs and so on.
• For videographers: It is much easier for the videographers to have video backgrounds on their website as they already have a lot of content related to the final product as well as behind the scene videos. You can use a blend of both which will give an idea to the visitor how much work it takes to create those magical videos. Alternatively, you can concentrate only on a montage of final edited video clips.
• Dress designers: The dress designers can showcase the latest products in the form of a ramp show, a fashion show or can produce a video showcasing the work that goes behind creating a piece of elegant dress. You can also make a stop motion animation of the process to make it even more interesting.
• Makeup artists: Makeup artists can showcase before and after images, behind the scenes, and a slideshow of final results.
• Jewelers: Just like the dress designers, the jewelers can either showcase a new range of products or showcase the work that goes behind make different pieces of jewelry.
• Bakers: Bakers have a lot of fascinating products and the process of making these products like biscuits, cakes etc. is also very interesting to watch. You can create a small video which runs through the process of cake making or can simply showcase a slideshow of the products you provide.

THE MINOR GLITCH

There is only one problem with the video background on a website, and that is the loading time. If the video size is big, then it will take some time to buffer which can increase the exit rate on your page. To avoid such situation, you should keep the length of the video between 15 to 30 seconds which is more than enough to give the glimpse of your work to the visitor. You can also keep a smaller video in a loop which will substantially reduce the loading time.

CONCLUSION

In short, any business can come up with an idea of a video background for the services or the products. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that you have to keep the size of the video short so that the loading time of the page with video background can be controlled.

WECHAT MINI PROGRAMS CONNECTS BUSINESSES TO WHOLE NEW WORLD OF CHINA ECOMMERCE

With Wechat sweeping the local Chinese market by storm, Tencent’s giant app is no longer just a regular communication and messaging app— it is now a lifestyle app. With Wechat, you can send instant messages to friends, send payments, and even download apps with the new Mini Programs platform.

In fact, 2017 statistics show that the app already has almost about 1 billion followers. Specifically, Mini Program users have already reached 170 million daily users with 50 percent of them being male and the other 50 percent being female. We can also see that the social class of the users is also very diverse with 30 percent coming from tier 1, 20 percent from tier 2, 19 percent from tier 3, and the rest from tier 4 and below.

Mini Programs
Ever since Mini Programs hit the market, they became a phenomenon in the local Chinese market, possibly serving as a replacement for regular apps.

For those who aren’t familiar with Mini Programs, they’re basically just apps that are found on the Wechat platform. You access Mini Programs through the Wechat Mini Program store and use them on the spot. What makes them amazing is that they can be used without having to be installed on your device. This allows you to have a low memory and convenient alternative to the regular apps that you usually find in Google Play.

eCommerce Using Mini Programs
Aside from being extremely convenient for app users, it is also now seen to be a leveraging platform for eCommerce. You see, Wechat in itself already has an extremely big network of users. Introducing Mini Programs into the equation allows entrepreneurs to tap into that big network to sell their products and services.

As Wechat continues to further promote the use of Mini Programs, more and more businesses are setting up their own Wechat shop using the platform. The great thing about opening up a Wechat store using the Mini Programs platform is that you can use the social functions of the Wechat app itself to further market your wares.

For example, many stores have already been using the group chat feature to host group buying promotions and other cool deals. This also allows sellers to get up close and personal with their customers— something that buyers really love. This harmonious mix of social engagement and shopping experience creates the perfect buying atmosphere for local customers who use Wechat.

All of these coupled with Wechat’s digital wallet Wechat Pay and the customers have the complete e-shopping experience. In fact, the complete Wechat platform may even be a threat to eCommerce giant Alibaba once the Mini Programs platform reaches its full potential.

KOL And Sales Generation
While KOL brands in China have gained huge success due to their very niche method of marketing, Wechat’s KOL market struggled against other giants such as Weibo and Alibaba. However, the introduction of the Mini Programs proved very beneficial to Wechat’s KOL sales campaigns.

The cool thing about the Mini Programs platform is that the brands themselves create the experience for the customers. The platform is only there to serve as the base where the stores can get the customers. This is pretty different from what other eCommerce platforms such as Alibaba have to offer.

For instance, with Alibaba, sellers don’t really have control over the User Experience of the store. They just provide the merchandise and Alibaba will promote. With Mini Programs, brands can literally have their own online stores and control their own UX much like how brands would do when they create regular apps. This in itself already revolutionizes the KOL sales campaigns of Wechat.

Conclusion

With the Mini Programs platform becoming more and more popular, we can expect the number of total users to skyrocket. When shopping will become an even more fun experience in Wechat, a big chunk of the online shoppers will flock to Wechat Mini Programs. This will be good for both the buyers and the sellers alike.

In fact, Wechat shopping, as we like to call it, may even revolutionize Chinese eCommerce as a whole. With the combination of Wechat’s big network and awesome social functions, plus the wonderful user experience that Mini Programs can give, we can expect Wechat to soar in the coming years.

Want to know more about Wechat Mini Programs Designs and Development services? Get in touch!

TOP VIRTUAL REALITY INNOVATIONS IN CHINA’S SHOPPING MARKET

Virtual Reality used to be the stuff of science fiction. Today, we know it is no longer a pipe dream. Current generation VR Technology uses “VR Headsets” to render computer-generated environments, which are also used in conjunction with the physical environment the VR user is in and the objects around the user.

In the international scene, the top 4 Chinese tech giants Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, and JD.com are making waves in the tech industry by bringing the power of Virtual Reality to the hands of the average consumer. With their affordable prices and superb quality, they are revolutionizing the VR Scene, thus bringing a better shopping experience to the consumers.

Here are the Top Virtual Reality Innovations in China’s Shopping Market:

Alibaba’s Buy+ VR
The tech conglomerate’s most notable innovation is the launch of their Alibaba buy+ VR platform, which utilizes virtual reality technology to enhance the average shopping experience. The VR Platform allows consumers to shop items in a virtual mall as if they were on the physical location itself.

The best thing about it is that the purchases they make happen in real time— thanks to Alibaba VR Pay, which makes it easy to purchase products instantly. You don’t even need a pricey VR Headset like the oculus rift to navigate the virtual mall. Alibaba’s Virtual Reality Glasses are very affordable and support fully all the features of the VR Platform. They have also integrated Catch the Cat, an augmented reality game wherein the users’ reward for catching the cat is getting great deals for their VR Products on the shopping platform. This brings fun and enjoyment into the equation.

They also have the Magic Mirror VR App where the user can apply makeup and Virtual Reality Fitting Rooms where you can try out different clothing brands. Both are seamlessly integrated into their VR Shopping Platform which further enhances the average shopper experience.

Tencent VR headset
With the release Tencent’s latest innovation in the tech industry, the Tencent VR headset is set to overtake the cyber market this year. The headset is expected to support a wide array of applications and focuses on several platforms like the PC, Video Game Consoles, and Android.

The headset also features support for Live Streaming, Movie, and TV show streaming and is expected to gain a strong foothold in the entertainment market. Tencent has also made several strategic investments in VR companies like AltSpaceVR and Skydance Media. This is the move they need to break through the gaming and entertainment market. Once they do this, they can take the lead in developing a virtual reality ecosystem to improve collaboration between developers and consumers alike.

JD.com AR/VR styling station
JD.com launched a virtual reality styling station that allows the user to try on any brand of makeup they please before they make an online purchase. The users can try on different products like lipsticks, eyebrow pencils, blush-on, and the like. This has been a cutting-edge addition to the beauty industry since the common qualm of the average shopper is their inability to test out the products physically when shopping online. All the features of the styling station come fully integrated with their online shopping platform.

According to Carol Fung, president and CEO of JD.com, the goal of the JD.com AR/VR styling station is to give customers a truly interactive and personalized experience while adding the benefit of having the consumers’ product just a few clicks away in the comfort of their own home.

Baidu VR products
The tech giant Baidu with their Iqiyi VR Headsets line launched Qiyu VR II, one of the most sophisticated gadgets in the market today. The device can play 4k and 8k panoramic videos and has cutting edge motion sensors, media playback functionality, and can run modern Interactive VR Games.

Their Vivi VR assistant similar to Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana has been the craze lately. This virtual reality assistant is included in their VR Headsets line of products, and it comes with a plethora of common features like answering queries, making suggestions to the user, and setting your schedule. It also boasts advanced features in their newer versions that can flirt with the user and interact sporadically. This update is expected to target male individuals from 18 to 35 years old.

Conclusion
In conclusion, With China’s Shopping Market taking the lead globally, the VR Industry is booming right now more than ever. The tech industry is an ever expanding market with technological advancements underway every single day. Thus, tech companies will need to adjust and take the bull by the horns or suffer the risk of getting left behind by the competition in this fast-paced industry.

IS THERE A NEW PLAYER CHALLENGING WECHAT’S MINI PROGRAMS?

Is There a New Player Challenging WeChat’s Mini Programs?

Undoubtedly, WeChat became one of the biggest players in the app market garnering about 1 billion users. With the launch of last year’s Mini Programs, WeChat again stayed on top of its game.

But is this going to end sometime soon?

It was recently announced that a collaboration of China’s smartphone manufacturers and some Chinese government bodies are working together to build a similar technology to Mini Programs. While no concrete news has been shown yet, this may be a sign that WeChat is about to experience some tough competition from the new player.

WeChat Mini Programs

For those who don’t know, WeChat Mini Programs are applications (also known as sub-applications) that you can download inside the WeChat system. Mini Programs can be downloaded in the same way that you download regular apps from your Google Play or Apple Store.

The difference between Mini Programs and regular apps is that Mini Programs don’t use up as much data. They are fewer data intensive and still have the same nature as apps. Because of this big difference, many WeChat users switched from the regular app stores to WeChat’s Mini Programs.

The New Player in the Market

Some of the collaborators involved in this new project are Xiaomi Technology Co., Huawei Technologies, Lenovo, Oppo, Vivo, and other Chinese phone manufacturers. The Chinese government body the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is also involved in this project.

From what we know so far, this new technology is known as “Fast Apps,” and it works in a similar fashion to Mini Programs. They are very lightweight apps that are HTML based and do not need any downloading or installation. Once you click on one of these Fast Apps, it’ll launch right away.

A platform similar to that of a Play Store will be created to store all the Fast Apps. The group plans to make this new platform more efficient and faster for its consumers. This is with the goal of enhancing user experience in mind.

In an interview with Reuters, collaborator Xiaomi mentioned that there are already over a hundred Fast Apps ready for use once the platform is launched. There are also Fast App versions of some of China’s existing apps such as travel app Ctrip. Beside each Fast App is an “instant launch” button next to it. This will allow users to launch the app right away without the need for installation, as we’ve already mentioned beforehand.

How Fast Apps Will Work?

Each of the smartphone manufacturers in the alliance will have their own app store where the consumers can download the Fast Apps. For example, Xiaomi will have its own marketplace known as the Mi App Store while the others will also have theirs. This is quite different from the setup of Google Play Store and the Apple App Store— both of which we are more used to. It works pretty much like the Mini Programs of WeChat where you can get access to instant apps.

What Are Some of the Benefits of Fast Apps?

We’ve already mentioned convenience to be one of the main benefits. What are the other benefits that Fast Apps offer? One other main benefit is that consumers won’t have to worry about compatibility issues with their devices. They can just launch the app from their phone’s respective play store and use it. This is also an advantage for developers because developers won’t have to worry about building different versions just to make certain apps work.

What’s Next for WeChat?

Even with a new threat to their already established brand, WeChat won’t be going down without a fight. First, WeChat is able to make the Mini Programs accessible to even Apple device users, which is an issue that may become problematic for Fast Apps in the future.

Other than that, WeChat has also launched a Mini Program known as CityExperience that targets travelers on business trips. This move can potentially battle the Ctrip Fast App.

Conclusion

While Fast Apps offer very attractive features to smartphone users, WeChat still remains at its spot with its Mini Programs and shows no signs of moving. The battle will be about which app store gives the best user experience to the consumers. We will just have to wait and see how Fast Apps can fare in the market against Mini Programs.

THE IMPACT OF VIDEO CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY

The present era can be referred to as highly ‘socially active.’ By ‘socially active’ we mean that the usage of social media platforms today is at its peak, especially the rise of video content is one of the biggest trends on social media today. There must be only a few who aren’t there on any social media platform; otherwise, the rest of the world is crazily active on social media.

SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO IS THE MOST VIEWED CONTENT

The number of videos appearing in our newsfeeds on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. has exponentially increased. As we keep scrolling the newsfeed, a new video appears. Thus, it is pretty much evident that video content is used for almost every purpose, be it marketing a brand, awareness of a societal issue, spreading information, etc. According to TechCrunch’s report for 2016, over 8 billion videos are viewed on Facebook alone in one day and about 100 million hours of video content is viewed on Facebook every day. Big number, isn’t it?

SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO CONTENT IS MARKETERS’ FIRST PREFERENCE

Social media video content has now become one of the most powerful and effective marketing tools. People in the marketing field have adopted and they practically follow the phrase that says, “actions speak louder than words.” This is true from all depths that what our eyes see leave a deeper influence as compared to using words. Therefore, TV advertisements, promotional videos, campaigning videos have become more and more common as they are the most effective means of brand engagement.

According to Social Media Examiner’s survey, 72% of the marketers think social media video content brings them the best ROI. On average, a social media video’s organic reach is 135 percent more than a static post. Furthermore, we see many videos that are about awareness of a certain issue or are for the welfare of the animals, humans etc. People now know that words cannot be as influential as the videos!

We understand why videos are being used for marketing, promotions, awareness but ever wondered why do we see videos flooding on our newsfeeds on all our social media accounts?

Well, this is because the people today rely majorly on their social media accounts. Videos have caused social media platforms to become a place for the marketing of products, awareness of issues around the world. Almost everyone we know, companies, NGOs, individuals, etc., uses social media video content to promote their business. Through uploading videos on such platforms, the message can reach a wider audience all around the world without much effort. And not only that, it is considered as an easier way to influence the minds of the major population of the world.

According to Social Media Examiner’s report for 2016, 60% of the overall social media marketers use video content, about 14% of them used live video feature on Facebook or YouTube. 1 out of every 4 marketers or brands falls behind a video as their cornerstone content.

Social media was introduced for easy communication between friends and family members who live far away and to know what’s going on in their lives but it has now taken an altogether different shape.  Apart from social networking, the social media today has also become a wonderful platform for video marketing, spreading awareness, creating brands and many more activities.

Videos and social media together serve as the best tool to grab the attention of the world. Social media video content has become the king and is ruling all social media platforms. The world is evolving and we see innovative ideas springing up from every corner of the world. Today video content has become the most popular means of conveying messages all around, let us wait and see what the future holds, what new ways will replace the old ones!

IS DOUYIN THE NEXT BIG PLACE FOR BRAND MARKETING IN CHINA?

Launched in 2016, Douyin is on the path of becoming the most popular short video app in China. Owned by ByteDance the app is based on another app owned by ByteDance i.e. Musical.ly which is very popular in rest of the world especially in the US. The app allows the users to create 15-second videos and provide a huge collection of background songs and dialogues. It has amazing filters and editing tools which help the users to create high-quality content. There are many other features which are attracting more users like Live videos.

The increase in popularity
There are many other applications that run on the same concept but the strategically planted advertisements and better features helped Douyin to grab the topmost position in the market leaving other apps like Kuaishou, Miaopai, and Haokan Shepin behind. In August 2017, the app crossed 1 billion views on videos which were a great achievement in a very short span of time.

KOL love Douyin
The team behind the app did not leave any single chance to attract Key Opinion Leaders or KOLs. As the app gained popularity more KOLs started using the app which further attracted more users in form of their followers. Douyin has special events for KOLs and also give them monthly incentives in form of gifts etc.

The Generation Z’s favorite app
As the technology is getting advanced, the younger generation with age group 18-24 better known as the Generation Z wants to have applications that provide entertainment but do not waste their time as well. This young generation loves to multitask and longer videos are a big hurdle in it. Thus apps like Douyin became their preferred app. Douyin’s user base has around 33% of Generation Z users. Also, the application is famous in all sections of the society and even in smaller cities as well. It has attracted women from all age groups as well and a good percentage of KOLs are women on the app.

Cheaper options
Using Douyin is not at all expensive for anyone. All income groups can use Douyin to make quality content without using any additional software etc. The app provides a special platform for the brands and companies to promote their goods and services on the app via short videos. These brands often collaborate with KOLs and take advantage of their reach. In return, the KOLs are paid in terms of goods and money.

The live video feature is gaining popularity among the KOLs especially for promoting brands. They combine their entertainment streak and subtlety promotes the brand while interacting with the followers. Some of the live videos are direct promotions as well. Even the big brands like Audi, Pizza Hut, and Michael Kors are exploring the platform in extreme possible ways.

The problems with Douyin
Although the platform is perfect for brand promotions there are many issues which are worrisome for the brands, KOLs and general users. It has been noticed in past that apps disappear from the market without any notification. The way Douyin gained popularity is not normal for any market and despite being backed by a large corporate house; there will always be some fear that app will leave the market.

Another problem which brands are facing is the fake KOLs. There are a lot of people who are exploiting the loopholes in the code of the application to gain followers unethically. There are services who charge for providing followers as well. The problem is that majority of them are fake profiles. Paying heavy amount to these fake KOLs result in a major financial loss for the brands. The app has to take drastic steps to remove such fake accounts.

Conclusion
Douyin is one of the best ways for the brands to explore social media platforms and reach new groups of customers at a very affordable price. However, it is still not as big as WeChat which has way more active users than Douyin. We can only hope that in coming days the app will gain more users and address the problems faced by brands and KOLs.

HOW DID DOUYIN BECOME THE FASTEST GROWING APP IN CHINA?

Every part of the world is looking at an increase in mobile data usage to a level which no one would have imagined just a decade ago. With the evolution of smartphone into a better and more powerful device every other day, the companies are now concentrating on targeting customers and brands via new and interesting apps. In 2016, ByteDance launched an app by the name Douyin which is a copy of a short video app known as Musical.ly. In fact, both the apps are owned by same company.

Douyin allows the users to create small 15 seconds videos. The app provides a huge collection of popular songs to go with these videos. The user can create dance videos or lip sync videos and share with the world in just a few clicks. The powerful editing tool and filters that are available in the app make it a favorite among the generation Z in China. Majority of the users of this app belong to the age range below 24 years.

The popularity of Douyin
In a very short period of time, the app has managed to reach out to millions of users. With a user base of more than 35 million subscribers, it has surpassed the majority of the apps in the similar segment in China. The application has surpassed players like Meipai and Miaopai and currently, it lags behind only Kuaishou. The majority of the content available on the app is from the users themselves.

It’s new and loaded
There are a lot of similar apps available in the app store in China. As the majority of the apps that are popular in the rest of the world are blocked in China, it is easier for the local companies to come-up with hot ideas and grab the market. But to make sure there is less competition they have to maintain high standards as it is not an easy task to keep the users with an app for a long time. As the trends change, if the apps do not adopt, users move ahead and create accounts on other popular apps. Douyin knew the inside out of the Chinese market and knew it has to keep up with the pace of the advancements of the apps popular in China and around the world.

In-build features
The most popular and main feature of the app is the short videos. There are a lot of Key Opinion Leaders or KOLs better known as influencers in the rest of the world, who use Douyin to create attractive and high-quality content. The KOLs are often approached by the brands and big companies for promotions in which Douyin helps as well.

Friendly Interface
The main issue with many apps available in the market is that they are complex and not an easy task for a layman to understand. Douyin is different in this case. The company has made sure to keep the features easy to navigate and made sure that even a newbie can start creating good content in few minutes.

Douyin’s rise and Meipai’s fall
When Douyin entered the market there was a vacuum created due to the migration of users from Meipai to other apps. Meipai was running on the similar concept but it failed to hold the users for a longer period of time. Douyin picked the opportunity and let the users enjoy simpler, easier and more interactive app to create content for the followers. It gained popularity in no time. In the very short span of time after the launch of Douyin, Meipai failed to stand in the market. It tried to imitate Douyin but the base on which Douyin was standing was much stronger than any other company could have imagined.

Douyin for influencers
Douyin has provided a new and fresh platform for the KOLs. These influencers have bought millions of users for the app in return for a better-structured platform to earn money by creating high-quality content for the brands and companies. The app has also given a lot of freedom to the brands to reach out to followers and the KOLs and find the best ways to promote their products and services. The app helps the KOLs and brands to create viral content and make sure that if any issue arises, it is solved at the earliest to ensure that the users stick with the app.

Conclusion
The main reason for the quick rise of Douyin in the Chinese market was that the company made sure that users have the features at their fingertips. The navigation is easier and filters are much better in comparison to other apps.