If you’re still using tired old written testimonials on your website, you’re missing a trick. It’s time to wise up to the future of online testimonials – and it’s video.

Formerly the preserve of big corporates, promotional videos can cost upwards of £1,000 to produce. But Oxford-based Video Testimonials means to change all that. Founder Mark McDermott is out to cater to the SME, with a low-cost, easy alternative to a traditional shoot. A DIY “film crew in a box”.

The company only launched in August this year, but it’s already caught the attention of ex-Dragon Rachel Elnaugh, who features a video testimonial on her homepage.

“Mark couriered over the kit, which arrived in this James Bond-style metal briefcase,” says Elnaugh. “I activated the webcam, which is remotely controlled by Mark. He talks through the machine and tells you what to do. We shot a 60-second video and it was up on my site within 24 hours.

“The web can be very impersonal. With videos, you have real people providing real content and it adds so much power to your website.”

Video testimonials can be used to introduce yourself on your website, or to send the kit to customers to record their recommendations.

The videos cost £195 each, including dispatch, editing and production, with a knockdown price for multi-buys – £165 each for three. McDermott also offers hosting and streaming services for £5 per month for one, £10 for three.

Vince Golder, founder of Reading-based Goldnet Referral Marketing, recently caught on to the service. “When you read testimonials from J Smith from Leeds, it’s just not credible. If you see a full name, perhaps a job title, it’s a bit more convincing. Add a picture and it’s very credible. Video multiplies that credibility 100-fold.”

Related tags: vince golder, video testimonials, goldnet referral marketing, mark mcdermott, dragon, rachel elnaugh,