Hero Videos: The Must-Have Power Move for Your E-Commerce Game

Category:
Video Commerce
Published:
September 30, 2024
Summary
Hero Videos are a no-brainer for driving engagement and conversions. This quick guide shows you how to get it done, from picking the right content to customising the look. Stats don’t lie: sites with video see a 34% higher conversion rate. Want to stand out and convert visitors into customers? Get a Hero Video on your homepage - fast.
Contributors
Subscribe to newsletter
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy.
Boom! We’ve got your submission! Now sit tight—great things are coming your way.
Uh-oh! Looks like we hit a snag. Don’t worry, the form had one job and it’s getting a stern talking to. Try again?

Let’s talk about the one thing most online retailers still aren’t getting right: Hero Videos. Yeah, I said it. This isn’t just some shiny add-on; it’s a core strategy to lock in your visitors and drive engagement the moment they hit your homepage. We’re in the age of video commerce, and if you’re not leveraging it, you’re falling behind.

Here’s the reality: the average consumer has the attention span of a goldfish - scratch that, less than a goldfish. You’ve got 8 seconds to grab them, and a static image with some copy isn’t going to cut it anymore. You need dynamic, visually arresting content that tells your brand story and does it in a way that stops the scroll. Enter Hero Videos.

Why Hero Videos Are the Play

Look, people aren’t just reading anymore; they’re watching. According to Wyzowl, 87% of marketers are cashing in on video because it drives real traffic. But here’s the killer stat: sites with video on the landing page see 34% higher conversions. That’s real money we’re talking about, not just likes and shares. Hero Videos aren’t just fluff - they’re a direct path to higher engagement, more time spent on-site, and ultimately, more sales.


1. Load Up Your Media Library

First things first: Get your assets in line. Got video content? Good. Whether it’s from Instagram, TikTok, or UGC (user-generated content)—yes, I’m talking about that 85% of consumers who are more likely to pull out their credit card after watching people just like them using your product—make sure it’s all ready to go in your media library.


Use the Add Media button to choose where to add your media from:

2. Grouping Videos with Hashtags

Here’s where things get smart. Use hashtags to group the videos you want for your Hero Video set. Think of it as organising your playlist for maximum impact. Why waste time? You can batch hashtag the whole set and sort them later. Efficiency, people. Time is money.

Pro Tip:

Use the batch hashtag editor to tag multiple posts at once. It’s not 2015 - you don’t have to do things manually anymore.

Check the box at the top left of each media to select multiple posts, then click the "Add Hashtag" button to tag them all at once.

3. Utilising the Hero Video Editor

Alright, you’ve got your video assets, now it’s time to curate. This is where the Hero Video editor comes in. The order in which your videos play? It matters. Lead with your strongest asset. The data says 95% of viewers remember a video’s message, compared to just 10% from reading text. So make your video sequence tight.

Start with something that grabs attention—no one’s sticking around for a weak opening act.

Open the Hero Video editor to begin curating your video set. Use the 'Sort Positions' button to arrange the videos in your desired order. Ensure the cover video is positioned as required, with the remaining videos correctly sequenced. This step is crucial for achieving the visual impact you’re aiming for.

Use the ‘Edit Positions’ button to arrange your videos in the order you want. The first video will be the floating ‘Cover Video’ that customers click on to open the video carousel.

4. Make It Yours

Brand is everything. You don’t want your Hero Video looking like it came off a generic template. Customise the backdrop colours, borders, video filters, and play buttons to reflect your brand identity. Consistent branding can boost revenue by 33%. That’s not fluff, that’s the real deal. Keep it on point, keep it recognisable, and make it scream you.

You can preview what your hero video looks like in your backoffice by clicking on the floating video cover:

5. Get It on Your Homepage - Fast

If you’re on Shopify Themes 2.0, you can add the Hero Video with a couple of clicks. For everyone else, there’s always the good ol’ HTML embed code. Copy, paste, done. Remember, 72% of customers prefer learning about products via video, Hero Videos aren't buried at the bottom of your page. Yes, your Hero Video should be the first thing visitors see.

For stores using Shopify Themes 2.0, you can easily add your Hero Video by using the 'Hero Video Block'.

If your site operates on a different platform or you prefer a more manual approach, use the embed code provided and insert it into an HTML embed block on your homepage. This ensures your Hero Video is prominently displayed to visitors as soon as they arrive at your store.

6. Launch and Watch

Once you’ve got it all set up, sit back and watch. Your Hero Video is live, front and centre, doing its job - keeping visitors engaged, increasing product discoverability, and making your brand unforgettable. Here’s the kicker: websites with videos embedded see 88% more time spent on the page. Let that sink in. More time on page equals more opportunities to convert, and that’s what it’s all about.

Final Thought: Stop Being a Dinosaur

Hero Videos aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re table stakes in today’s e-commerce landscape. The world is moving towards video commerce, and you need to be there or be left in the dust. If you’re not investing in video content, you’re losing customers to someone who is. Period.

So get that Hero Video on your homepage. It’s not rocket science, it’s smart business. Execution is everything, and this is your chance to deliver a knockout punch that turns casual browsers into paying customers. You want to build a brand that matters? Start with Hero Videos.