Let’s be honest: software can be confusing. Whether it’s a SaaS platform, a mobile app, or enterprise-level tools, explaining what your product does—clearly and quickly—is not always easy. That’s where explainer videos come in. They simplify the message, highlight the value, and help you connect with users in a way that words on a page rarely can.
In the fast-moving world of software, where new products launch every day and competition is fierce, an explainer video isn’t just nice to have—it can be a game-changer. Let’s break down how and why explainer videos are such a powerful tool in the software market.
1. Explainer Videos Make Complex Ideas Simple
Software is often built to solve complex problems, and sometimes, the solution itself is complex too. Try describing a cloud-based machine learning API or a cross-platform integration tool in two sentences. It’s tough. But show it in a short video—with visuals, animation, voiceover, and real-world examples—and suddenly, it makes sense.
Explainer videos excel at distilling complicated features into easy-to-understand concepts. They don’t just tell people what your product does—they show them how it works, and more importantly, why it matters.
2. They Capture Attention Quickly
The average attention span online? About 8 seconds. If your software’s landing page is packed with text and technical jargon, most visitors won’t stick around long enough to understand it.
A well-made explainer video grabs attention in the first few seconds. With motion, sound, and a clear narrative, it keeps people engaged. It answers the user’s unspoken question right away: “What’s in it for me?”
This makes explainer videos ideal for landing pages, social media, and ad campaigns. When someone sees your video, they get the big picture fast—and that’s often enough to spark interest or lead to a signup.
3. They Increase Conversion Rates
Explainer videos don’t just inform—they convert. Studies consistently show that adding a video to your homepage or product page can significantly boost conversion rates. Why? Because people feel more confident making a decision after watching a clear, concise explanation of what they’re getting.
Imagine a visitor landing on your site. They’re curious but unsure. A short explainer video walks them through the product, highlights the benefits, and addresses key pain points. That video might be the push they need to sign up, start a trial, or request a demo.
Even better, explainer videos build trust. Seeing a polished, professional video makes your company feel more credible. It shows you’ve invested in helping users understand your product.
4. They Support Sales and Onboarding
Explainer videos aren’t just useful for marketing. They’re incredibly valuable for sales teams and customer onboarding too.
Sales reps can use videos in their outreach to quickly introduce the product. Instead of typing long emails explaining what your software does, they can simply say, “Here’s a quick video that explains it better than I could.”
For onboarding, explainer videos help new users get up to speed. Instead of reading through long help docs, users can watch a 2-minute walkthrough and understand how to use the product. That reduces frustration, cuts down on support tickets, and leads to faster adoption.
5. They’re Perfect for Mobile and Social
More and more people are discovering software products on their phones—through social media, ads, or app stores. Long-form content doesn’t work well in these formats, but video? It’s perfect.
Explainer videos are easy to repurpose across platforms. A 90-second video can be cut into shorter clips for Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn. A few key scenes can become animated GIFs or teasers. You get a lot of mileage from a single video.
In the crowded world of social feeds, explainer videos stand out. They’re more likely to be shared, liked, and remembered than a static post or text ad.
6. They Strengthen Your Brand
Explainer videos aren’t just about explaining features—they’re an opportunity to show personality. With the right tone, visuals, and voice, your video reflects your brand. Are you playful? Innovative? Reliable? Trustworthy? Your explainer video sets that vibe in motion.
For startups, a good explainer video levels the playing field. You might not have the budget for a huge campaign, but a single, well-crafted video can make your product look just as polished and professional as the big names in your space.
7. They’re Reusable and Scalable
One of the best things about explainer videos? You can use them everywhere. On your website, in presentations, on YouTube, at events, in sales decks, investor meetings—you name it.
As your product evolves, you can update the video or create a new version. If you’re launching a new feature, releasing a product update, or targeting a new audience segment, explainer videos can scale with you.
They’re also useful across departments. Marketing, sales, customer support, product—everyone benefits from having a simple, visual tool that tells the story of your software.
8. They Help You Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Let’s face it: there are thousands of software products out there. Even if yours is better, people won’t know unless you show them. A sharp explainer video helps you cut through the noise.
When investors, partners, or potential users are evaluating a long list of tools, the ones with clear, compelling videos stand out. A strong video can do more than just explain—it can differentiate you.
It shows you understand your users. It shows you can communicate clearly. And it gives people a reason to remember your brand.
Investing in Clarity
At the end of the day, clarity wins. If your audience doesn’t understand what your software does or why it’s valuable, they’re not going to buy it. Period.
That’s why explainer videos are so important. They take your message, strip it down to the essentials, and deliver it in a way that people actually want to watch.
Whether you’re launching a new product, trying to increase conversions, or just want to make your software easier to understand, explainer videos are one of the smartest investments you can make.
So if you haven’t created one yet—what are you waiting for?
