Look around you. If everyone near you has their head down and seems to be tapping, chances are they have a smartphone. As a matter of fact, research shows that by the end of the calendar year 2016, some 2.08 billion individuals worldwide will be smartphone users.1 Similar research notes that tablet users will have exceeded one billion worldwide by the end of 2015. That’s about 15 percent of the global population and nearly double the number of people who were using tablets just three years ago in 2012.

Even without viewing these statistics, which may or may not be surprising, it’s more than obvious that the use of small “smart” electronic devices has burgeoned over the last decade and, especially, over the last 2-3 years. More than ever, individuals rely on their smartphones and tablets for everything from finding directions and playing games to surfing the internet for the latest information and watching videos of all sorts.

Perhaps this is why savvy business owners are making their video content readily available to smartphone and tablet owners. Gone are the days of selling physical DVDs. Now, those who are well-versed in the latest technology offer digital downloading or streaming options for their customers rather than cumbersome DVDs that require mailing and are easy to lose or damage.

Streaming is especially popular these days, but it has its share of problems. In most cases, you’ll need to have access to WiFi to stream content. Too frequently, consumers run into slow connection speeds. Some companies have solved this problem by offering a downloadable app rather than streaming from the internet.

So what are the advantages for the customer in downloading an application versus streaming from the internet?

• Customers have access to video content anytime and anywhere. An internet connection is not needed in order to access the videos they want to watch.
• With an app, the titles purchased by the customer can be available from any device and from more than one device, if desired. Furthermore, if the device is lost, the videos will still be available from the application.

What are the advantages of streaming from an application for the business person who wants to sell video content?

• You’ll never have to sell a tangible DVD again. That means less money spent in manufacturing and more time and resources available for creating great video content you’ll customers will love.
• You can provide another touch point for your brand, giving you more control.
• With streaming from an application, publishers can change or modify their content fairly quickly, when necessary.
• Because more and more individuals prefer to stream videos and are looking for a high-quality viewing experience, the sale becomes easier and profits soar.
• You can host other items on your app such as PDFs to go along with your video lectures, charts that enhance your video instruction, or an ebook for those who prefer to see things in print.

When you opt for offering video streaming from an application, making the transition from selling physical DVDs to this more efficient video delivery method is easy. Be sure to choose a company that’s a one-stop-shop for all your video content needs. Look for one that will not only deliver your videos securely via a streaming app but also one that will track usage, offer quality tech support, and more. It’s a win-win situation for you and your customers.

1 http://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide/