7 Types of Video Every Small Business Should Have on Their Website

If you run a small business in Los Angeles or Orange County, you already know the market is crowded. Whether you're a boutique fitness studio in Santa Monica, a restaurant in Costa Mesa, or a med spa in Newport Beach, the brands winning attention right now have one thing in common: they show up on video.

But "post more video" isn't a strategy.

The businesses actually getting bookings, foot traffic, and inbound leads are the ones using the right type of video in the right place — especially on their website, where buying decisions get made.

At Renzu Media, we produce video and photo content for local businesses across LA and Orange County, and we've seen which formats consistently move the needle. Here are the seven types of video every small business in LA should have on its website in 2026, and how each one earns its spot.

1. The Brand (Hero) Video

This is the 60–90 second video that lives front and center on your homepage. It answers the three questions every visitor asks within the first five seconds: Who are you, what do you do, and why should I care?

A strong brand video blends cinematic shots of your space, your team, and your product or service with a clear voice — either a founder voiceover or on-screen messaging. It's the digital version of a firm handshake.

Why it works: Visitors who watch a hero video stay on your site significantly longer, which Google notices. And in a market like LA, where customers can choose between a dozen similar businesses with one search, a polished hero video is often the deciding factor.

2. Customer Testimonial Videos

Written reviews are good. Video testimonials are better. A real client, on camera, talking about how you helped them is the closest thing to a referral you can put on a website.

Short is fine — 30 to 60 seconds per testimonial. The key is letting the customer speak naturally, not reading off a script. Pair these with B-roll of your business or the work you did for them, and you've got an evergreen trust-builder.

Why it works: Local buyers in Orange County and LA are skeptical (rightly so — they've been burned). Hearing another local customer vouch for you in their own words shortcuts that skepticism faster than any tagline can.

3. Service or Product Explainer Videos

If your service involves any kind of process — a consultation, a treatment, a custom build, a fitting — a 1–2 minute explainer video can do the work of an entire sales call.

Walk viewers through what to expect, how the process works, and what makes your version different. Med spas, contractors, dental practices, agencies, and personal trainers all see strong conversion lifts from this format.

Why it works: It removes friction. The number one reason a warm lead doesn't book is uncertainty about what they're signing up for. Show them, and they'll book.

4. Founder or About Story Video

People hire people, not logos. A short founder story video — even just two or three minutes of you talking about why you started the business, who you serve, and what you stand for — turns your "About" page from a formality into a connection point.

This is especially powerful for owner-operated businesses in LA and OC, where customers actively want to support local independents over chains.

Why it works: Personal branding is no longer optional. The founder story video humanizes your business in a way no amount of stock photography ever will.

5. Behind-the-Scenes / Culture Video

A behind-the-scenes video gives prospective customers (and prospective hires) a peek at how you actually operate — the team, the space, the energy, the craft.

For a restaurant, that might be the kitchen prep before service. For a salon, it's the morning setup and the team chatting. For a contractor, it's a job site walkthrough. Authenticity beats polish here.

Why it works: It builds familiarity before someone ever walks through your door. By the time they arrive, they already feel like they know the place — and that's a powerful predisposition toward saying yes.

6. Short-Form Social Cuts (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)

Your website should host vertical, short-form videos too — not just because they're efficient to repurpose from your other shoots, but because younger LA audiences are now Googling, then immediately scrolling Instagram and TikTok to vet you. Embedding social-style cuts on your site keeps that scroll on your page.

These should be 15–45 seconds, vertical, and designed to grab attention in the first two seconds. The good news: most of this content can be pulled from the same shoot day as your other videos.

Why it works: It signals to visitors that your brand is current and active. A website with no recent video content reads as dated — and dated reads as "are they even still in business?"

7. FAQ or "Common Questions" Video

The most overlooked video type on this list, and arguably the highest-ROI one. Pick the five to seven questions you get asked most often — about pricing, timelines, what's included, how to prepare — and answer them on camera in short clips.

Embed these on your services page, your contact page, or a dedicated FAQ page. Google loves video FAQ content, and prospects love being able to get answers without filling out a form.

Why it works: It pre-handles objections, reduces back-and-forth on inquiries, and helps your site rank for question-based searches like "how much does [your service] cost in Orange County."

Where to Start If You Can Only Do One Shoot

If the list feels overwhelming, here's the good news: a well-planned shoot day with a professional team can produce most of these in a single session. We typically recommend small businesses start with the brand video, two or three testimonials, and a batch of short-form cuts, all captured the same day. That gives you enough video to refresh your homepage, services page, About page, and social channels for the next 6–12 months.

The businesses that win in LA and Orange County aren't the ones spending the most on video — they're the ones using video strategically across their website, where it actually drives bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a video shoot like this cost in Orange County or LA? It depends on scope, but a single-day shoot that produces a brand video, a few testimonials, and a batch of short-form cuts typically falls in the low-to-mid four figures for small businesses. The investment usually pays for itself within a few new client bookings.

Do I need to write a script? No. A good production team will guide you through prep, develop interview questions, and direct you on shoot day. You bring the expertise about your business — we handle the storytelling.

How long does it take to get the videos back? For a standard small business shoot, expect a 2–4 week turnaround for finished edits, depending on the package and revisions.

Can these videos be used on social media too? Absolutely — and they should be. Every shoot we do at Renzu Media is planned with both website and social deliverables in mind, so you get maximum mileage from one production day.

Do you work with businesses outside Orange County? Yes. We regularly shoot across Los Angeles County and Orange County, including Long Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and surrounding areas.

Ready to Bring Your Brand to Life?

Renzu Media partners with small businesses across Los Angeles and Orange County to produce professional video and photo content that actually drives bookings — not just likes. If you're ready to upgrade your website with video that converts, contact us and let's map out the right shoot for your business.