<rant>

This one goes out to everyone who thinks they have to use video for everything... Uh, they're neat and they're really cool, but if you're going to do video PLEASE use text too...

Here's why:

When I'm researching a product or service and I'm looking for something specific I want to be able to find out if your product or service fits the requirements now... I DON'T WANT to watch a 3 minute video to get the main points and find out if your product can even do what I need it to do, infact: I WON'T DO IT!

And, if your product can't do it, there's NO WAY forcing me to watch your stinking video will sell me on it. It's not going to happen! What it will do is make me click back, tell people who ask about your product or service your site sucks and not ever visit you again...

I'm posting this because I've been looking for a specific web based service this morning and the last 3 sites I've visited give me limited text and EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW is tucked away in a video somewhere.

I could have found the 'yes or no' in less than a 30 seconds with text on the page, but since the details of the features these sites provide are tucked away in a 3 to 4 minute video I don't know if they will do what I need them to; I don't care if they will do what I need them to; I will find someone who provides the service I need and a site I can use.

Two of these sites went so far as to put the FAQ in video... Are you kidding me? Like I want to sit and watch a 1 to 2 minute video that contains 3 questions and answers when I could have the answer in 10 seconds if it was in text.

One more note for all the video buffs: When I hear some cheesy, squeaky 'non-radio' voice on your video I think your product is cheap and home made, like your video, so I'm not inclined to use what you have... If you're going make and use video, please, make it professional.

My guess is I'm not the only person who feels this way and my 'short version suggestion' is:

If you're going to use video make it professional and put the text on the page too, otherwise, just use text...

</rant>