The web interface and mobile app are becoming increasingly important and comprehensive. We want to access our tools and continue working at any time and anywhere (with the Internet). Log in to any device or open an app on your smartphone — and go! But even though everything is intuitive, the user wants to understand the functions and benefits within a few minutes. A screencast helps enormously.
First of all: Many people may also know the word screencast as screen capture, screen recording or even banally a video tutorial. Basically, however, screencast is the most appropriate, because this is the only way to indicate that we are showing a process when using software. For now, screen capture is just the technical recording of a screen.
A screencast explains certain functions and processes of software to you, audibly and visually. They are traditionally used for employee training and as an aid to customers and the community. Many have certainly already watched tutorials of software on YouTube or have received a digital introduction at work.
A screencast is so popular because it also explains complex programs for a large target group. It works audio-visually and by stopping and playing back independently, viewers can immediately apply what has been conveyed. If I don't understand something, I just skip something back and get it explained again.
Every company will be a software company in the future
(Marc Andreessen)
The Internet pioneer is probably not entirely wrong (and the quote is from 2011). In any case, programs, web interfaces and apps are playing an increasingly important role. Many companies essentially have software that is operated by the user. It is therefore obvious to breathe emotion and life into exactly this software in order to achieve higher commitment. This also allows us to immediately set ourselves apart from the competition.
Here we briefly summarize which different forms exist and what they are suitable for:
Do you simply want to briefly show how to configure a car on your website? Everything should be as it really is and a framework story would be distracting? Then a screen capture is probably the right thing to do, in which the software is simply recorded. Meanwhile, you hear a person explaining the actions shown to you. Just read through the 5 steps and use a free tool like OBS Studio (link) record the screen.
For example, you would like to explain how easy and quick it is to log in and verify your service in the web interface. Or you've released a great new feature or tool and want to show what it can do and how to use it.
Screencasts can also be placed on a landing page to convince potential customers of your service and usability by wrapping them into a small frame story.
Do you want to give a dynamic impression and show how fast and intuitive the interface works? The interface elements should then dynamically come into the picture and breathe life into your interface through many animated details.
By consciously reducing screen content, focus is sharpened and distracting elements such as large text boards and images are simplified. In this way, the user is not easily overwhelmed and can concentrate on the essentials.
We can also give an actually two-dimensional website a spatial depth and thus present elements even more impressively. The cursor flies through the room and through a background setting we get an authentic and very dynamic result.
They can also be used to create a personal connection. The screencast is accompanied by a moderator and the software is given a “face”.
For Moonfare, we developed an elegant and tidy screencast. It shows how quick and easy registration is and, through sensible reductions, it appears extremely tidy and focused. Click here for the project (link)
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