Video or written content? How do you prefer to read product help guides/documentation? 🛠

Neri Raanani
65 replies
You're trying out a new product and need some help, so you turn to the company's help center. Do you look for how-to videos or written instructions?

Replies

Sean Song
Both. For myself, some cases I won't watch video because I cannot turn the sound on. So in that case txt works. And then when sound is on or AirPod with me, video is better.
Neri Raanani
@seansong Important case scenario to consider, thank you.
Pradeepa Somasundaram
It should be a mix of both as we are in the digital era and customers are looking for omnichannel support. We can't expect customers to be satisfied only with product tour videos they may also look for product documentation or a manual. I suggest embedding product videos in the manual and publishing them online via a knowledge base on your website. Something like this https://docs.biztalk360.com/docs...
Khalid M.
SearchEgg.io
Usually how-to videos, but if they're too long, I skim through articles. The more engaging and to the point the content is, the better. I did a ton of research on this when building searchegg.io, most users don't even go to the help center even when they're stuck, and the ones that do, don't stick around for long. Curious to know if that's your experience too
Pratiksha Dake
I prefer documentation for it lets me jump to sections I am interested in and also lets me copy code snippets & commands.
I actually prefer written just because I don’t need to keep rewinding the video to see
Judith Ackerman
Written instructions with screenshots/images over videos. Videos are great for new features or product demos but if I'm stuck somewhere I'll 9/10 go for the written version.
Kate Dalessi
It really depends on the complexity of the product! I generally prefer text describing steps with screenshots of the product's interface. But when I was figuring our Google Analytics back in the day, I was grateful to have video tutorials:)
Neri Raanani
@katyaveremeichik Amazing, loved your comment. Thank you!
Pramit Marattha
I'd take both of them.
Divya
Video>> Document
Andrew Isherwood
Both. Loom is great for doing short guides, and then doing a transcript (not word for word but a guide following the video) once you've recorded it is easy. Then you have two pieces of content to publish instead of one :D
Neri Raanani
@andrew_isherwood1 Definitely, Loom is a good approach here. I'll look that up. Thank you!
Sergul Sungur
I prefer to watch if there is any how to videos rather than written content. But for more detailed information I'm looking at documents.
Selman Babayigit
Both. Written content will probably give me more information, but a page with video content would be more interesting.
Neri Raanani
@selman_babayigit That's what we're aiming for! Thanks for your comment! 💪
Evgeniy Yakubovskiy
Attractive videos capture the audience's interest and keep them engaged throughout the video. That's why I'm all for videos!
Neri Raanani
@evgeniyyakubovckiy Videos do attract attention, but for help guides/documentation it's less about hooking the audience and more about being helpful and efficient to a user in need. Still, videos are indeed a good fit here as well - probably both written and video together. Thanks for sharing!
Fares
I prefer the video! I find it more fun and faster
Neri Raanani
@fares_aktouf I appreciate you sharing this!
Iya Mendoza
Both? Haha it really depends on the topic. If it's a quick guide or questions answerable by 1 or two words/sentences, I'd go for text. But if it's more about technicality, I usually prefer video. But if it doesn't work, I resort to written content. I think that's why both video and written content is important and a valuable factor for Google algorithm.
Neri Raanani
@iyamendoza01 I definitely agree with you! Thanks for sharing!
Daniel Engels
If it's documetation, I preferred it written, and in a concise and comprehensible way, with examples. However, if it is some sort of a "how-to" guide, i'd prefer a video.
Joe Kattan
Check out Scribe! It's great for explaining stuff
Neri Raanani
@joekattan Thanks! I'll definitely check it out.
I prefer video demos on operating and using the product and written documents for manufacturing and other related information.
Neri Raanani
@qudsia_ali That's cool, we have the same preferences. Thanks for sharing!
Marina Đurić
LeadDelta professional relationships CRM
Usually both. A video that is under 10 minutes followed up with a bullet point explanation step by step.
Dylan Merideth
Demo videos for quick help and thorough product docs for deeper explanation
Neri Raanani
@dylan_merideth Probably the best strategy, I agree. Thank you! :)
Khalid M.
SearchEgg.io
@dylan_merideth Hey, nice seeing you here too, i noticed you from indiehackers. Love the vapour wave aesthetic btw.