Apparently, there’s a whole lot of confusion around product videos. Some so-called eCommerce “experts” out there would have you believe that no matter what you sell, you absolutely need a product video. Like, it’s some kind of magic sales booster. But here’s the truth. That’s complete nonsense. Some products benefit from videos, sure, but most? They don’t need one at all.
When a Product Video Is Just a Waste of Time
Think about it. If someone’s buying a barstool, do they need to watch a video about it? It’s a barstool. You sit on it. It’s not like there’s some hidden feature or a complicated user manual. You’re not gonna confuse anyone by just showing a picture. Same with toasters. Nobody needs a dramatic slow-motion video of a toaster doing what toasters do. Put the bread in, push the lever, wait a bit, and boom, toast. If you need a tutorial for that, we’ve got bigger problems.
The kind of product videos these “experts” push are those fancy, cinematic shots where your product just sits there, rotating slowly on a turntable while little sparkles fly around. And look, I get it. It looks cool, but it also looks ridiculous. It doesn’t tell the customer anything useful. If anything, it makes your business look amateurish. You’re better off spending that time and money on something that actually helps.
Following Trends for No Reason
And don’t even get me started on the “but everyone’s doing it” argument. Yeah, a lot of businesses post product videos on Instagram or TikTok, but that doesn’t mean it works for every product. You don’t need to follow trends just because they exist. It’s like signing up for a hot yoga class because everyone says it’s life-changing, then realizing ten minutes in that you’re just sweaty, miserable, and questioning your life choices. If your product doesn’t need a video, then stop wasting time making one.
When a Product Video Actually Makes Sense
Now, that doesn’t mean product videos are always useless. Some products actually benefit from them. If you’re selling a chef’s knife, for example, it’s probably a good idea to show how sharp it is. A quick clip of someone slicing through a tomato like it’s butter? That’s compelling. And if your product requires assembly, making a video walking customers through the process is actually helpful. Because let’s be honest, most instruction manuals are useless, and nobody enjoys struggling through the “attach part A to part B” chaos without a clue.
Save Yourself the Effort
So before you run off and start making videos for every product in your store, think about whether it actually helps. If your product needs a demonstration, fine, grab your phone and film one. But for 90% of products? Save yourself the effort and focus on something that actually moves the needle. Because trust me, a dramatic video of a barstool spinning in slow motion is not gonna change anybody’s mind.
Here Are Five Things You Can Do to Stop Wasting Time on Useless Product Videos
First, figure out if your product actually needs a video.
Not everything deserves the Hollywood treatment. If your product is self-explanatory, like a candle, a throw pillow, or a coffee mug, skip the video. Nobody needs a 30-second clip of a candle just sitting there, flickering. If your product requires a demonstration, fine, make one. If not, move on and focus on better product photos instead.
Second, if you’re making a video, make it useful.
Nobody cares about slow-motion shots of your product spinning dramatically on a turntable. Show it doing something. If it’s a backpack, show how much it holds. If it’s a folding chair, show someone actually folding it. A good product video answers questions customers didn’t even know they had.
Third, keep it short and to the point.
Nobody’s got time for a five-minute deep dive on a basic product. If your video starts with a long intro, some dramatic music, and a slow zoom-in, people are already gone. Show what matters, keep it tight, and get out. If you can’t explain why your product is great in under 30 seconds, you’re doing it wrong.
Fourth, don’t make a video just because everyone else is.
Just because some other business has a product video doesn’t mean you need one. Maybe they wasted their time, too. If your product sells just fine with great images and clear descriptions, don’t fix what isn’t broken. Invest that effort into marketing, SEO, or literally anything else that actually brings in more customers.
Fifth, test whether your video actually helps sales.
If you’re convinced you need a video, fine, but don’t just assume it’s working. Run a simple test. Put a product page with a video against one without and see if it makes any difference. If people are still buying at the same rate, congratulations, you just saved yourself time and money on something nobody needed.
Do these five things, and you’ll avoid falling into the trap of pointless product videos. Focus on what actually moves the needle instead of wasting time on cinematic fluff that doesn’t sell a thing.
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