Why Animated Explainer Videos Are Essential for Businesses Today
- Roxana A
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses are constantly battling for attention. Whether it’s trying to engage potential customers, educate a target audience, or simply stand out in a crowded market, the challenge is always the same: how to communicate complex ideas in a simple, engaging way. Enter animated explainer videos—your new best friend.
The Growing Importance of Video Content in Business
Before diving into why animated explainer videos are so essential, let’s set the stage with the growing importance of video content in business.
The statistics speak for themselves:
According to Wyzowl, 84% of consumers have been convinced to buy a product or service after watching a brand's video.
HubSpot reports that 54% of consumers want to see more video content from businesses they support.
The Content Marketing Institute found that 60% of marketers believe video is the most effective type of content for achieving their goals.
These numbers indicate that video has become one of the most powerful tools in marketing. However, when it comes to explaining complex products or services, businesses face the challenge of not just engaging their audience but educating them effectively. That’s where animated explainer videos step in.
Why Choose Animation?
Animation stands out as one of the most effective ways to communicate complex ideas, making it a prime choice for businesses across industries. Here's why:
1. Simplifying Complex Ideas
When you’re offering a new product or service, especially in a technical or abstract field, you can’t afford to lose your audience’s attention. Animation allows you to simplify complex concepts and break them down into digestible, easy-to-understand pieces.
For example, imagine you’re selling a software product with a suite of features that are difficult for the average person to understand. A live-action video with a technical explanation would likely bore your audience. But an animated explainer video can show how the software works step-by-step, highlighting the key features with dynamic visuals and making the entire process much more accessible.
Case Study Example:A SaaS company creating a new AI-powered platform used animation to explain its functionality. By illustrating complex data analysis processes in a visually appealing and easy-to-follow way, they managed to increase user sign-ups by 40%. This was because their potential customers could finally understand how the technology would work for them—without the technical jargon.
2. Increased Engagement and Retention
Video is highly engaging—and this is especially true for animated videos. Studies show that people retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to just 10% when reading it in text.
This is crucial in a world where attention spans are shrinking. Your audience is more likely to engage with, understand, and remember an animated explainer video than a blog post or infographic. Animation adds a layer of entertainment, which keeps viewers engaged while also delivering the key information you want them to take away.
Example: A company that launched a new mobile app used an animated explainer video to demonstrate the app’s functionality. The video was playful, yet informative, and used animations to show the user journey within the app. This approach increased viewer retention by 70% compared to static content.
3. Visualizing Abstract Concepts
In sectors like tech, finance, healthcare, and education, businesses often deal with abstract or hard-to-grasp concepts. Animation is perfect for visualizing these intangibles, making the abstract feel more tangible.
For instance, imagine trying to explain how blockchain technology works. Using simple 2D or 3D animations, you can visually represent the technology by showing how blocks of data connect and grow, demystifying the process and making it more approachable.
Case Study Example:A blockchain startup used animation to simplify how their platform securely stores data. They demonstrated complex cryptographic processes in a visually engaging way, which helped the company gain significant attention from investors and customers. This was far more effective than a dry, text-heavy brochure.
4. Building Emotional Connections
There’s something inherently humanizing about animation. Whether it’s a character, a friendly mascot, or a quirky scenario, animation allows brands to inject personality into their messages. This can make your audience feel more connected to your brand on an emotional level, which is key to building long-term customer loyalty.
Think about some of the most successful brands—Apple, Dropbox, and Headspace—they all use animation in some capacity to enhance their brand identity and connect with their audience.
The Benefits of Animated Explainer Videos
Let’s break down some of the core benefits of animated explainer videos:
1. Better Customer Understanding
If your business deals with a product or service that’s difficult to explain, animation gives you a clear, concise way to demonstrate exactly how it works. Visual storytelling is an incredibly powerful way to help customers understand your offering.
2. Cost-Effective Solution
Animation can often be more affordable than live-action video production. You don’t need to hire actors, book locations, or purchase expensive equipment. Instead, you can create a high-quality animated explainer video that effectively communicates your message at a fraction of the cost.
3. Shareability
Animated explainer videos are inherently shareable. People love to share fun, engaging, and informative content, especially when it resonates with them. An explainer video is perfect for social media, email campaigns, and landing pages.
4. Increased Conversions
Video content, especially explainer videos, can drive higher conversion rates. A well-crafted video can act as a persuasive tool that nudges viewers toward taking the next step—whether that’s purchasing a product, signing up for a newsletter, or requesting a demo.
How to Create an Effective Animated Explainer Video
Now that you understand the importance of animated explainer videos, let’s dive into how to create one that stands out:
1. Start with a Solid Script
The script is the foundation of any explainer video. Before you even think about animation, make sure you have a clear and concise script that communicates your core message. Focus on simplicity, and remember that the video should answer the question: "What problem are you solving for your audience?"
2. Keep It Short and Sweet
The ideal length for an animated explainer video is between 60 and 90 seconds. Studies show that viewers start losing interest after 2 minutes, so keep it short and to the point. If you can explain everything in 60 seconds—great! If it takes 90 seconds, that’s fine too, but avoid making it too long.
3. Make It Visually Appealing
Animation is all about creativity, so make sure your visuals are aligned with your brand’s identity. Use a consistent color scheme, appealing design elements, and characters that reflect your brand personality. Make it fun, engaging, and memorable.
4. Include a Strong Call to Action (CTA)
At the end of your explainer video, make sure to include a clear call to action. Whether you want viewers to visit your website, sign up for a free trial, or contact your team, make it easy for them to take the next step.
Conclusion: Why You Need an Animated Explainer Video
In an era where digital communication is more crucial than ever, animated explainer videos provide a powerful tool for businesses to simplify complex ideas, engage their audience, and boost conversions. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, animation can help you communicate your message effectively, build emotional connections with your audience, and stand out from the competition.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to incorporate animated explainer videos into your marketing strategy. It’s an investment that will pay off in increased brand awareness, customer understanding, and ultimately, sales.
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