Wistia is what I use for video hosting.

There are definitely less expensive options, but since video is a big part of my business I decided this was something I was willing to invest in.

It's one of the most expensive tools I use for the last three years, but I love it, so I happily pay each time my annual payment comes around.

Here are 7 reasons I love Wistia:

(You can read about it, or jump right to the video)

1. Annotation Links

Annotation links are a slick little feature that allow you to add call-out links during your video. So, if your video is talking about a specific tool, website, or article you can link out to it at the exact time you mention it.

more on this feature)more on this feature)PlusThis video tracking.

4. Reporting and Analytics

Wistia has built in video tracking to let you know how your videos are performing. You can measure views on an individual basis, as well as aggregate trends across your entire account. In addition, if someone has engaged with a turnstile, or arrived on the page via your specific email marketing links, then you'll be able to see how much of a certain video key individuals consumed.

courses where you cover a variety of topics in the same video. (more on this feature)

Wistia also gives you a four options for how you'd like the videos in the playlist to be organized, Bare, Slide, Tab, and Bento. (more on this feature)

biggest concerns here. An additional restriction is that because the playlist has it's own embed code, I don't think it would easily work with the PlusThis video tracking feature I mentioned earlier.

7. The Company

So, I actually had three things left on my list - Wistia's Culture, their Customer Service, and their educational resources (very useful stuff); and so I bundled those three together as "The Company". Wistia is an organization that I feel good about supporting. Here's why - I've felt genuine care and empathy with very interaction I've had with their support team. I believe they communicate with transparency, and own their mistakes. I blogged about an example of this a few years ago. The last reason, is that they have a brand personality. They're not corporate, and they don't take themselves too seriously. I can respect a company who takes an otherwise bland software and adds their own flavor and a little humor.

Want to see these features in action?

11/8/2018 Update - Split Testing

Just when I thought I couldn't love Wistia and harder, they go and release A/B testing. (More here)

Spoiler: It's basically everything I dreamed of and then a few things I didn't even know I wanted.