Have you ever wondered why some businesses communicate their ideas so clearly, while others leave you feeling confused? The answer often comes down to how information is presented—and explainer videos have become one of the most effective tools for cutting through the noise. In 2025, these short, visually engaging films are not only shaping marketing strategies but also streamlining sales, training, and customer support.
This post looks at what explainer videos are, why they work so well, and the many benefits they bring to businesses of every size and sector. By the end, you’ll see why an explainer video could be one of the most valuable additions to your digital toolkit.
What Exactly Is an Explainer Video?
An explainer video is a short, focused piece of content—usually between 60 and 90 seconds—that clearly sets out what a product, service, or idea does. Most follow a simple, tried-and-tested structure:
- The problem: what challenges or frustrations your audience faces.
- The solution: how your product or service solves those issues.
- How it works: a quick walk-through that demonstrates the process.
- The benefits: what outcomes people can expect.
- Call to action: what you want them to do next.
Explainers can take many forms, including animated sequences, whiteboard illustrations, live action footage, or motion graphics. The aim is always the same: to make things clearer, faster.
Why Do Explainer Videos Work So Well?
Modern audiences have shorter attention spans and less time to digest long passages of text. Video meets that challenge head-on by combining imagery, movement, narration, and music in a way that’s easier to absorb and remember.
- Visual learning: People retain more from images and sound than from text alone.
- Tone setting: A video can feel approachable, authoritative, playful, or serious—whatever matches your brand.
- Versatility: Explainers work across websites, social platforms, sales presentations, trade shows, and even internal training sessions.
In short, they fit the way we consume information today.
Marketing and Awareness Benefits
When it comes to building awareness and drawing attention, explainer videos excel. Here are some of the strongest advantages:
- Faster attention capture – Video pulls viewers in within seconds, making them more likely to stick around.
- Clearer communication – Graphics, captions, and voiceovers break down even complex topics.
- Improved brand recall – Consistent colours, fonts, and style embed your brand in memory.
- Search engine value – Video increases the time people spend on your site, a positive signal for search rankings.
- Mobile readiness – Explainers work beautifully on smaller screens and can be adapted for vertical viewing.
- Greater shareability – Short, engaging clips are far more likely to be passed along than static posts.
- Emotional connection – Storytelling, music, and tone stir feelings as well as convey facts.
For marketing teams, these benefits mean stronger campaigns and a clearer edge over competitors.
Driving Conversions and Sales
The journey from prospect to customer often hinges on clarity and confidence. Explainer videos provide both.
- Higher landing-page conversions – Demonstrations help potential buyers feel certain about their decisions.
- Better product fit – Showing real-world problems solved is far more persuasive than listing features.
- Shorter sales cycles – Prospects who watch a video often arrive at sales calls already well informed.
- Consistent messaging – A video delivers the same message every time, across every market.
- Lead generation opportunities – Trailers, teasers, and short versions drive traffic to forms and free trials.
- Measurable impact – View counts, watch time, and clicks give clear evidence of performance.
For sales teams, explainers act as a constant support tool that works day and night.
Improving Customer Support and Education
Explainer videos are not just for prospects; they’re equally powerful once someone has become a customer.
- Fewer repeated queries – Short “how-to” videos answer common questions instantly.
- Smoother onboarding – New users get quick wins with short tutorials.
- Better outcomes – Step-by-step visual guidance helps people complete tasks correctly the first time.
- Different learning styles – Videos suit visual and auditory learners, while captions support those who prefer text.
The result? More confident customers, fewer frustrations, and reduced pressure on support teams.
Internal Communication and Training
Businesses also rely on explainer videos to keep staff aligned.
- Consistent training at scale – Every new employee can watch the same film to learn core processes.
- Clearer processes – Visual explanations show who does what and when.
- Simpler change management – Updates and policy changes are easier to adopt when presented in a short video.
- Improved knowledge retention – Staff are more likely to remember steps when they’ve seen them demonstrated.
This makes explainers just as valuable inside a company as they are for external communication.
Extending Reach and Distribution
One of the greatest advantages of explainer videos is how far they can travel.
- Social platforms – YouTube, LinkedIn, and Vimeo open access to fresh audiences.
- Email campaigns – Thumbnails of videos often lift click-through rates dramatically.
- Events – A looping video grabs attention at exhibition stands.
- Partnerships – Clients or collaborators can share your message with a single link.
- Repurposing opportunities – One master video can generate shorts, GIFs, stills, and audio snippets.
- Cost efficiency – A well-made explainer can work for months across multiple channels.
For businesses conscious of budget and impact, this makes video a smart long-term asset.
Choosing the Right Style
Different stories suit different video styles:
- 2D animation – Ideal for abstract ideas or services.
- Whiteboard drawings – Perfect for step-by-step educational content.
- Live action – Works best for products, testimonials, or people-centred stories.
- Screen recordings – Effective for software demonstrations.
- 3D animation – Adds clarity for technical, architectural, or medical content.
- 2.5D techniques – A cost-effective way to add depth without full 3D production.
Picking the right style ensures your video feels natural and matches the subject.
Production, Costs, and Timelines
A polished explainer usually takes between four and eight weeks to complete. The process includes scripting, storyboarding, production, and post-production. Costs vary widely depending on complexity:
- 2.5D animation: around £1,500 upwards.
- Partial 3D sequences: £2,000–£8,000.
- Full 3D films: £5,000–£30,000 or more.
Whether you work with a professional studio or use in-house tools, the focus should always remain on clarity, story, and quality.
Measuring Success
Like any marketing asset, explainer videos need to be tracked and tested. Useful metrics include:
- Play rates and watch times.
- Drop-off points where viewers stop watching.
- Click-through rates from calls to action.
- Conversions that occur after watching.
Small edits—such as tightening the opening seconds or sharpening the closing call to action—can make a noticeable difference.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While the benefits are clear, there are mistakes worth avoiding:
- Trying to cover too much in one video.
- Using jargon instead of plain speech.
- Forgetting to end with a clear next step.
- Uploading the video once and leaving it hidden on a subpage.
- Oversimplifying to the point of inaccuracy.
Each of these can be fixed by focusing on one clear message, using natural language, and planning distribution carefully.
Final Thoughts
Explainer videos are more than a marketing trend. They are a practical, proven way to grab attention, simplify information, increase conversions, and support both customers and staff. From building awareness to reducing support requests, their impact spans the entire business journey.
If you’re struggling to explain what you do—or if your website leaves visitors guessing—an explainer video could be the missing piece. Done well, it’s a small investment with a lasting return: clarity for your audience and growth for your business.
