London firm Douglas & Gordon is the latest estate agent to add videos to its website and post them on YouTube.The company commissioned video production specialist Real Property Tours to shoot video clips in 13 of its 16 branches as part of a strategy to boost its Google rankings and generate business through its own website rather than property portals.
Each 60-second clip features a Douglas & Gordon branch manager introducing his or her team and showcasing its expertise in the local area. “Search engines love video content and our rankings are hugely important to us, because prospective purchasers and tenants who come to us direct are generally of a higher calibre than those who come through the portals,” explained managing director Ivor Dickinson.
“Since introducing the videos we have already seen a significant improvement in our search engine rankings. Now at least 50% of our business comes direct rather than through the portals.”
Video content is fast becoming a vital element in online marketing, according to Real Property Tours managing director Lee Helliar.
“Many search engines are now operating on a ‘universal search’ principle, which means results are drawn not only from text but from images and video too,” she said.
Comments
One last point, although it won't improve your position in the search engines, it may increase click through's. Under certain circumstances, videos get little thumbnail pictures in the google listings, which draw the eye to your result. Your still in the same position but just get more attention.
I'm not denying that it may have, increased traffic... but it will not improve your SEO, fact.
It can lead to improved rankings due to more people linking to you etc, however, I strongly believe that if you are using video to improve your rankings that you are trying other SEM methods. These methods would help your positions more.
Don't get me wrong, video is nice, its good for the user, it just wont' help improve your search engine position "directly".
Richard.....my practice has made videos and posted on utube im sorry to tell you it works very well....!!!
Dave Chalmers,
I tried what you said, its crap mate and over a month old with only 72 views and dull as a weekend in SE10
A professional job there, but you should check out these guys, its a little more raw but it works, they've been doing funky youtube property videos for a while now. I like 'em.
I cant post the link, so go to youtube and type rent se10 into the search box and select 1stavenuelondon videos
This is post is wrong. Search engines do not love video content and it will not increase your ranking by having video on your site.
It "should" increase traffic and click throughs but will not increase your position within the Search Engine Result Pages.
Benefits from video can include:
1. More people linking to you
2. Being found in video search
3. A thumbnail appearing
in your Google listing
4. And generally a better experience for your users.
But it is completely wrong to believe it will help your rankings.