Explainer Video Company: The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Partner for Animated Content That Converts

From understanding what explainer video companies do and the different animation styles available, to evaluating portfolios, budgeting effectively, and measuring success, discover everything you need to know about working with an explainer video company to create content that drives engagement and conversions in 2026.

Jessica Park

Animation & Video Marketing Strategist • 12+ years in explainer content

Updated June 2, 2026

Explainer videos have become one of the most effective tools in the modern marketing arsenal. These short, engaging animated videos explain a product, service, or concept clearly and compellingly, helping businesses communicate their value proposition in a format that audiences love to watch and remember. Behind every great explainer video is an explainer video company that has the creative talent, technical expertise, and strategic understanding to transform a complex message into a simple, memorable visual story that drives results.

The explainer video industry has grown dramatically over the past decade, driven by the proven effectiveness of animated content in capturing attention, simplifying complex ideas, and driving conversion rates across virtually every industry. Businesses of all sizes from bootstrapped startups to Fortune 500 corporations invest in explainer videos to communicate what they do, how they help, and why they matter. The best explainer videos combine strategic messaging with creative excellence, producing content that not only looks beautiful but also achieves specific business objectives such as increasing website conversion rates, reducing sales cycle time, improving customer understanding, and building brand awareness.

This comprehensive guide explores every aspect of working with an explainer video company. We examine the different types of explainer videos and animation styles available, the production process from script to delivery, the benefits of professional explainer video production, how to choose the right company for your specific needs, budgeting considerations, best practices for creating effective explainer content, and how to measure the success of your explainer video investment. Whether you are a marketing manager exploring explainer videos for the first time, a startup founder preparing to launch a new product, or a business owner looking to enhance your website's conversion rate, this guide provides the knowledge and frameworks you need to work successfully with an explainer video company.

Image: A professional explainer video studio workspace showing an animator working on a colourful 2D animation scene on a large monitor, with storyboard panels pinned to the wall, a script document on the desk, and reference materials arranged around a well-organised creative workspace

What Is an Explainer Video Company?

An explainer video company is a specialised production business that focuses on creating short animated videos designed to explain a product, service, concept, or business in a clear, engaging, and memorable way. Unlike general video production companies that produce a wide range of content types, explainer video companies specialise specifically in the unique demands of explainer content, including scriptwriting that distils complex ideas into simple narratives, visual storytelling that makes abstract concepts concrete, and animation techniques that maintain viewer engagement throughout a short format typically sixty to ninety seconds in length.

Explainer video companies offer a comprehensive range of services that go beyond just animation production. Most companies provide scriptwriting services that develop the strategic foundation for the video, storyboarding that translates the script into a visual plan, voice-over recording with professional talent, custom illustration and character design, animation production in various styles from 2D vector animation to motion graphics to whiteboard animation, sound design and music composition, and final delivery in multiple formats optimised for different platforms. Full-service explainer video companies also offer strategic consultation to help clients clarify their messaging, define their target audience, and identify the key objectives that the video needs to achieve. This comprehensive approach ensures that the finished video is not just visually appealing but strategically effective in achieving the client's business goals.

The explainer video industry includes several distinct types of companies. Boutique explainer video studios are small, specialised teams that offer high-touch service and often develop deep expertise in specific styles or industries. Mid-size production companies employ larger teams and can handle higher volumes of work while maintaining quality and consistency. Large animation studios have extensive resources, multiple production teams, and the capacity to handle complex projects with tight deadlines. Freelance explainer video specialists offer individual expertise at lower price points but may have limited capacity and require more client involvement in project management. There are also platform-based explainer video services that use template-driven approaches to produce functional explainer content at lower cost, though the quality and customisation options are typically limited compared to working with a dedicated explainer video company.

The value that an explainer video company brings extends beyond technical animation skill. Great explainer video companies bring strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of what makes explainer content effective. They know how to structure a script that identifies a problem, presents a solution, and calls the viewer to action in sixty seconds. They understand pacing, visual hierarchy, and information density. They know when to use humour, when to use emotion, and when to be straightforward. They have experience working with clients across different industries and understand the content conventions and audience expectations that apply to each sector. This accumulated expertise is what distinguishes a professional explainer video company from a general animator who can make things move on screen but may not understand the strategic principles that make explainer content effective.

Full-Service Studios

Comprehensive services from scriptwriting and strategy through animation production and delivery. Best for clients who want a complete, managed solution with minimal hands-on involvement.

Boutique Specialists

Small specialised teams offering high-touch service and deep expertise in specific styles or industries. Best for clients who value creative partnership and want a tailored approach.

Types of Explainer Videos

Explainer video companies offer a variety of video types and animation styles, each suited to different purposes, audiences, and brand personalities. Understanding the different types of explainer videos available helps you choose the approach that will be most effective for your specific message and target audience.

2D Vector Animated Explainer Videos

2D vector animation is the most popular and widely used style for explainer videos. This style uses clean, scalable vector graphics with smooth motion to create a polished, professional look that works well for virtually any industry or message. 2D animated explainers are highly versatile, allowing for creative visual metaphors, character-driven storytelling, and clear visual communication of complex ideas. The production process for 2D explainer videos is well-established and cost-effective, making this style accessible for businesses with a wide range of budgets. The best 2D explainer videos combine strong scriptwriting with creative visual design to create content that is both informative and entertaining, holding viewer attention while clearly communicating the key message.

Best for: SaaS products, startup pitches, corporate messaging, product launches, and any business that needs a professional, versatile explainer video that clearly communicates complex ideas.

Whiteboard Animation Explainer Videos

Whiteboard animation explainer videos use the visual metaphor of hand-drawn illustrations appearing on a whiteboard to explain concepts in a simple, accessible, and highly engaging way. This style is particularly effective for educational content, complex explanations, and thought leadership material because the hand-drawn quality creates a sense of discovery and learning that resonates with viewers. Whiteboard explainers are often perceived as more authentic and less sales-oriented than other animation styles, making them a good choice for content that needs to build trust and credibility. The production process for whiteboard animation is generally faster and more affordable than fully animated 2D or 3D explainers, though the visual style may not be appropriate for brands that want a more polished or sophisticated look.

Best for: Educational content, process explanations, thought leadership, training materials, and content where building trust and credibility is more important than projecting a polished brand image.

Character-Driven Explainer Videos

Character-driven explainer videos use animated characters that act, emote, and interact within the video narrative. This style creates strong emotional connections with viewers and makes abstract concepts feel personal and relatable. Character-driven explainers are particularly effective for brand storytelling, customer journey visualisation, and content where emotional engagement is a key objective. Characters can be designed to represent the target audience, making it easy for viewers to see themselves in the story, or they can be aspirational figures that represent what viewers want to become. The character design process is a critical part of creating an effective character-driven explainer, and experienced explainer video companies invest significant creative energy in developing characters that resonate with the target audience and align with the brand's personality.

Best for: Brand storytelling, emotional narratives, customer journey visualisation, products or services with a strong human element, and content that needs to create personal connection.

Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Motion graphics explainer videos focus on animated typography, shapes, icons, and data visualisation to communicate information clearly and dynamically. This style is particularly effective for presenting data, statistics, processes, and abstract concepts in a clean, modern format. Motion graphics explainers are often used for corporate presentations, thought leadership content, data-driven storytelling, and content where the message is more informational than emotional. The strength of motion graphics is its ability to make complex information feel simple and accessible through clear visual hierarchy, well-designed information displays, and engaging animation that guides the viewer's attention through the content. Motion graphics explainers tend to have a more contemporary, business-oriented feel than character-driven or whiteboard styles.

Best for: Data visualisation, corporate presentations, thought leadership content, financial services, B2B marketing, and content where information clarity is more important than emotional engagement.

3D Animated Explainer Videos

3D animated explainer videos create three-dimensional objects and environments with depth, texture, and realistic lighting. This style is the most visually impressive and immersive option, offering unparalleled visual impact for product visualisation, technical demonstrations, and premium brand content. 3D explainers are significantly more expensive and time-consuming to produce than 2D or motion graphics explainers, but they can be transformative for products or services that benefit from realistic visualisation. Medical device companies use 3D explainers to show how their products work inside the human body. Technology companies use 3D to visualise complex hardware or software architecture. Real estate and architectural firms use 3D walkthrough explainers to showcase properties and designs before they are built.

Best for: Product visualisation, medical and technical demonstrations, architectural walkthroughs, premium brand content, and projects where the budget supports the significant investment required for quality 3D animation.

Image: A visual showcase of different explainer video styles displayed on various screens including a colourful 2D animated explainer on a laptop, a whiteboard animation on a tablet, a motion graphics explainer on a smartphone, and a 3D animated product demonstration on a large monitor

The Explainer Video Production Process

Understanding how explainer video companies produce their content helps you plan effectively, set realistic expectations, and collaborate productively with your production partner. While specific workflows vary between companies, most professional explainer video production follows a structured phased process that moves from strategy through creative development, production, and delivery.

The discovery and strategy phase establishes the foundation for the entire project. During this phase, the explainer video company works with you to understand your business, your product or service, your target audience, your key messages, your brand guidelines, your distribution channels, and your success metrics. The team researches your competitors, reviews any existing content, and develops a strategic understanding of what your explainer video needs to achieve. The output of this phase is a creative brief that clearly defines the video's objectives, target audience, key messages, tone, and success criteria. Investing time in thorough discovery and strategy development is one of the most important factors in creating an explainer video that delivers real business results, as it ensures that every creative decision is grounded in strategic understanding rather than subjective preference.

Scriptwriting is the most critical creative phase in explainer video production. The script is the foundation upon which everything else is built. A great explainer video script is clear, concise, and compelling. It identifies a problem or opportunity that resonates with the target audience, presents the solution in a way that is easy to understand and remember, and includes a clear call to action that tells viewers what to do next. The scriptwriting process involves multiple rounds of drafting and refinement, with the writer working closely with you to ensure accuracy and strategic alignment while maintaining the creative quality and narrative flow that make the video engaging. The best explainer scripts are written specifically for the visual medium, using language that complements and enhances the visual storytelling rather than simply narrating what viewers can already see. Professional explainer video companies employ experienced scriptwriters who specialise in this specific type of content.

Storyboarding transforms the script into a visual plan. Each scene of the script is illustrated in a series of panels that show the key visual moments, camera angles, character positions, text placements, and transitions that will appear in the finished video. The storyboard serves as the blueprint for the entire production, allowing you to see how the script will be visualised before full animation begins. This is the phase where creative decisions about visual approach, composition, pacing, and style are made and refined. Changes at the storyboard stage are significantly less expensive than changes during animation production, making this phase an important opportunity for feedback and refinement. A detailed, well-crafted storyboard ensures that everyone involved in the project has a shared understanding of what the finished video will look like and how it will communicate its message.

Voice-over recording and audio production bring the script to life through professional voice talent. The choice of voice-over artist significantly impacts how the video is perceived, and selecting the right voice requires consideration of tone, gender, age, accent, pacing, and personality. Professional voice-over artists record the script in a studio environment, delivering multiple takes and interpretations that give the editing team options during production. The audio phase also includes music selection or composition, sound effects design, and audio mixing that creates the complete sonic landscape of the video. The best explainer videos treat audio as an integral creative element, investing in professional voice talent and sound design that enhances the emotional impact and professional quality of the finished content.

Animation production is where the storyboard, style frames, voice-over, and music come together into the finished video. The animation team creates the visual elements, animates them according to the storyboard and script, synchronises the visuals with the voice-over track, and builds the complete animation timeline. This phase includes multiple review rounds where you provide feedback on the animation in progress, from rough cuts that establish timing and basic motion through fine cuts that refine details and polish the finished product. The final stages of post-production include colour correction, visual effects refinement, final audio mixing and mastering, and format rendering for all required delivery specifications. The finished explainer video is delivered in the formats required for each distribution channel, from high-resolution master files for website use to compressed versions for social media and email.

Typical Timeline: Discovery and strategy (1–2 weeks) • Scriptwriting and refinement (1–3 weeks) • Storyboarding (1–2 weeks) • Style frames and visual development (1–2 weeks) • Voice-over and audio production (1 week) • Animation production (3–6 weeks) • Post-production and delivery (1–2 weeks) • Total project timeline typically ranges from 8 to 16 weeks for a complete explainer video project

Benefits of Using a Professional Explainer Video Company

Working with a professional explainer video company offers significant advantages over producing explainer content in-house or using template-based tools. Understanding these benefits helps you make an informed decision about how to approach your explainer video project and what level of investment is appropriate for your specific needs.

Strategic expertise is one of the most valuable benefits a professional explainer video company provides. Experienced explainer companies have produced hundreds or thousands of explainer videos across virtually every industry. They know what works and what does not. They understand the storytelling structures that resonate with audiences, the pacing that maintains engagement, the information density that viewers can absorb comfortably, and the calls to action that drive results. This accumulated knowledge translates directly into more effective videos that are more likely to achieve their strategic objectives. A professional explainer video company can look at your product or service and quickly identify the most compelling story to tell, the most effective way to tell it, and the most important message to leave with your audience.

Creative quality and production values are another significant advantage. Professional explainer video companies employ experienced animators, illustrators, scriptwriters, and voice-over artists who produce work at a quality level that is difficult to achieve with in-house resources or template-based tools. The difference in quality between a professionally produced explainer video and a DIY or template-based video is immediately apparent to viewers and directly affects how your brand is perceived. A polished, professional explainer video signals that your company is established, credible, and committed to quality. A video that looks amateurish or generic can undermine trust in your brand and reduce the effectiveness of your message. For content that will appear on your website homepage, in sales presentations, or in marketing campaigns, the quality of the production directly reflects on the quality of your brand.

Time efficiency is a practical benefit of working with a professional explainer video company. Producing an explainer video in-house requires learning animation software, developing illustration skills, sourcing voice talent, and managing a production process that most internal teams are not equipped to handle efficiently. Even simple explainer videos can take months for an inexperienced team to produce. A professional explainer video company has streamlined production workflows, experienced team members who work efficiently, and the ability to manage multiple aspects of production simultaneously. What might take an internal team twelve to sixteen weeks can often be accomplished by a professional company in eight to ten weeks, with higher quality and less internal resource drain. This time efficiency is particularly valuable for time-sensitive projects like product launches, campaign deadlines, and event presentations.

Objective perspective and creative fresh thinking is a benefit that many clients do not anticipate. Internal teams are often too close to their products and messages to see them from an outside perspective. A professional explainer video company brings fresh eyes and an objective viewpoint, asking questions that internal teams may not think to ask and identifying communication opportunities that may be overlooked. This outside perspective often leads to more creative and effective explainer videos because the production company is focused entirely on communicating clearly to someone who is learning about the product for the first time, which is exactly the position of the target audience. The best explainer video companies challenge their clients' assumptions about what is important, what is interesting, and what will resonate with audiences, leading to more effective content.

Key Benefits: Strategic expertise from hundreds of projects across industries • Professional creative quality that reflects positively on your brand • Faster production timelines with efficient workflows • Objective outside perspective and creative fresh thinking • Access to experienced scriptwriters, animators, and voice talent • Project management and single-point accountability • Multi-format delivery for all distribution channels

How to Choose the Right Explainer Video Company

Choosing the right explainer video company is one of the most important decisions in your explainer video project. The company you choose determines the quality of the creative work, the efficiency of the production process, and ultimately the effectiveness of the finished video. A systematic approach to evaluating and selecting an explainer video partner increases your chances of finding a company that delivers outstanding work within your budget and timeline.

Portfolio review is the first and most important step in evaluating explainer video companies. Review each company's portfolio thoroughly, looking for work that aligns with your creative vision and demonstrates the quality and style you want for your video. Pay attention to the clarity of the storytelling, the quality of the animation, the effectiveness of the visual communication, and the overall production polish. Look for consistency of quality across their portfolio a company that has produced one outstanding video but many mediocre ones may not be able to deliver consistently excellent work for your project. The most reliable indicator of a company's ability to deliver the video you need is a portfolio that includes work similar in style, complexity, and content type to your project.

Scriptwriting capability is a critical factor that is often overlooked by clients who focus primarily on visual quality. The script is the foundation of any explainer video, and a company that cannot write a compelling script will not produce an effective video regardless of how good their animation looks. Ask about the company's scriptwriting process. Who writes the scripts? What experience do they have? How many rounds of script revision are included in the standard process? Review sample scripts from the company's previous projects to evaluate writing quality. A company that takes scriptwriting seriously and has experienced professional writers on staff is much more likely to produce a video that effectively communicates your message and achieves your objectives.

Client testimonials and case studies provide valuable insight into what it is like to work with a company. Look for testimonials that speak to the company's communication practices, project management capabilities, responsiveness to feedback, and ability to deliver on time and within budget. Case studies that describe the strategic thinking behind the creative work, the challenges the team overcame, and the results the video achieved are particularly valuable because they demonstrate strategic capability, not just technical skill. When possible, ask for references and speak with past clients directly about their experience. The most reliable indicator of future performance is past performance, and thorough reference checking helps you understand what you can expect from working with a particular company.

Communication and project management are critical success factors in explainer video production. The production process involves multiple phases, multiple rounds of feedback and revision, and close collaboration between the company and the client. A company with clear communication practices, responsive project management, and transparent reporting on project status will be easier to work with and more likely to deliver a successful project. During the proposal process, pay attention to how responsive the company is, how clearly they communicate their process and pricing, and how well they listen to your needs. A company that communicates well during the sales process is likely to communicate well throughout production.

Selection Checklist: Review full portfolio for quality and style alignment • Evaluate scriptwriting capability and process • Check client testimonials and case studies • Speak with past clients directly if possible • Assess communication practices and project management • Review detailed proposals with transparent cost breakdowns • Compare multiple companies to understand market range • Trust your instincts about cultural fit and working chemistry • Start with a smaller project to test the relationship before committing to a large engagement

Cost of Explainer Video Production

Explainer video production costs vary widely depending on the animation style, video length, creative complexity, the experience and reputation of the production company, and the geographic market. Understanding the cost structure of explainer video production helps you budget realistically and evaluate proposals from different companies effectively.

The primary cost drivers in explainer video production include scriptwriting and creative development, which involves the strategic thinking and writing talent required to create an effective script. Storyboarding and visual development costs cover creating the visual plan for the video. Illustration and design covers creating the visual assets including characters, backgrounds, icons, and other graphical elements. Animation production is typically the largest cost category, covering the labour and software resources required to create the actual animated content. Voice-over and audio production includes professional voice talent, music licensing or composition, and sound design and mixing. Project management and client communication covers the production team's time managing the project and incorporating client feedback throughout the process.

The range of explainer video production costs reflects the enormous variation in quality expectations and production complexity. Template-based explainer videos produced through online platforms can cost as little as $500 to $2,000 but offer limited customisation and produce generic-looking content that may not effectively represent your brand. Entry-level professional explainer videos from smaller studios or freelance explainer specialists typically range from $3,000 to $8,000 for simple 2D animation with basic illustration and standard voice-over. Mid-range explainer videos from established studios with experienced teams and professional voice talent typically range from $8,000 to $20,000. This is the most common budget range for professional explainer videos and produces content that is suitable for website use, marketing campaigns, and professional presentations.

Premium explainer videos from top-tier studios with extensive experience, complex animation, custom illustration, professional voice talent, and original music composition typically range from $20,000 to $50,000. These videos make a significant creative investment and are appropriate for major brand campaigns, product launches, and high-visibility content that represents the brand at its best. High-end explainer projects with cinematic 3D animation, complex visual effects, celebrity voice talent, or ambitious creative concepts can exceed $50,000 and may reach $100,000 or more for the most ambitious projects with the highest production values and most experienced creative teams. Regardless of your budget level, the most important factor is choosing an explainer video company that has experience producing quality work within your budget range and can demonstrate relevant examples from their portfolio.

🎨 Template-Based

$500–$2K

Platform-based production using templates with limited customisation. Generic look, functional but not distinctive. Best for internal content or projects with minimal budgets and low quality expectations.

🎬 Entry-Level Professional

$3K–$8K

Simple 2D animation from smaller studios or freelancers. Basic illustration, standard voice-over, limited revision rounds. Suitable for startups and small businesses with modest budgets.

🌐 Mid-Range Professional

$8K–$20K

Custom 2D animation from established studios. Professional voice talent, original or premium licensed music, multiple revision rounds. The most common range for professional explainer videos for marketing and sales.

🎤 Premium & 3D

$20K–$100K+

Complex 2D or 3D animation from top-tier studios. Custom character design, original music composition, extensive creative development. For major brand campaigns and high-visibility content.

Explainer Video Best Practices

Creating an explainer video that effectively communicates your message and drives results requires following established best practices that have been proven effective across thousands of successful explainer video projects. The most effective explainer videos share common characteristics that make them engaging, memorable, and persuasive.

Start with the problem, not the solution. The most effective explainer videos begin by identifying a problem or pain point that resonates with the target audience before introducing the solution. This approach works because viewers who recognise the problem become emotionally invested in finding a solution, making them more receptive to the product or service being presented. The problem should be specific, relatable, and framed in terms that the audience uses to describe their own challenges. Spend the first fifteen to twenty seconds of your explainer video building empathy with the audience by demonstrating that you understand their struggles before you present your solution.

Keep it simple and focused. The most common mistake in explainer video production is trying to communicate too much information. An explainer video that tries to explain every feature, benefit, and use case of a product will overwhelm viewers and fail to communicate anything effectively. The best explainer videos focus on communicating a single core message as clearly and compellingly as possible. Identify the single most important thing you need your audience to know, feel, or do after watching your video, and focus the entire creative effort on communicating that one thing. Every element of the video should serve that core message, and anything that does not support it should be questioned or removed. A focused sixty-second video that communicates one message clearly is far more effective than a two-minute video that tries to cover everything and communicates nothing.

Show, do not just tell. Explainer videos are a visual medium, and the most effective ones use visual storytelling to communicate ideas rather than relying on narration to explain everything. Use visuals to demonstrate how the product works, show the transformation that the product enables, visualise abstract concepts, and create visual metaphors that make complex ideas accessible. The narration should complement and enhance the visuals, not duplicate them. If you find that your script is narrating exactly what viewers can see on screen, you are missing an opportunity to use the visual channel more effectively. Trust your audience to understand visual information and use the narration to add context, emotion, and emphasis that the visuals alone cannot convey.

Include a clear and compelling call to action. Every explainer video should tell viewers what to do after watching. The call to action should be specific, compelling, and easy to follow. Whether you want viewers to visit your website, sign up for a free trial, subscribe to your channel, share the video with colleagues, or contact your sales team, the call to action should be clearly communicated at the end of the video and, where appropriate, reinforced throughout the content. The most effective calls to action create a sense of urgency or value that motivates viewers to take the next step immediately rather than postponing and forgetting. The call to action is the moment where your explainer video transforms from a communication tool into a conversion tool, and it deserves careful attention in the scriptwriting and production process.

Best Practices Checklist: Start with a relatable problem before presenting the solution • Keep the video focused on a single core message • Use visuals to show, not just tell • Write for the visual medium, not as a radio script • Keep videos between 60 and 90 seconds for optimal engagement • Use professional voice-over talent • Design for sound-off viewing with captions • Include a clear, compelling call to action • Test your video with a sample of your target audience • Create multiple versions for different platforms

Industries That Benefit from Explainer Videos

While explainer videos are effective across virtually every industry, certain sectors have embraced explainer video production more broadly and achieved particularly impressive results. Understanding how explainer videos are used in different industries helps you identify opportunities for your own explainer video investment and benchmark your approach against industry best practices.

Technology and software companies are the largest and most enthusiastic users of explainer videos, and for good reason. Software products are often complex, abstract, and difficult to demonstrate through static images or text alone. Explainer videos allow technology companies to show their software in action, demonstrate user workflows, visualise integrations, and communicate technical value propositions in ways that prospects can understand quickly and remember. SaaS companies typically feature an explainer video prominently on their homepage as one of the first things visitors see, using it to communicate their value proposition in sixty seconds or less. Technology companies also use explainer videos in sales presentations, product launch campaigns, email marketing, and social media advertising, making them one of the most versatile and valuable content assets in the technology marketing toolkit.

Healthcare, medical, and pharmaceutical organisations use explainer videos to communicate complex health information clearly and compassionately. Explainer videos help healthcare organisations explain medical conditions, treatment options, and preventative care in ways that patients can understand and act upon. Pharmaceutical companies use explainer videos to communicate how their treatments work, what conditions they address, and how patients can access them. Medical device companies use explainer videos to demonstrate how their products work, often using 3D animation to show devices functioning inside the human body. The explainer video format is particularly well-suited to healthcare communication because it can make complex medical information accessible and engaging while maintaining the accuracy and regulatory compliance that healthcare content requires.

Financial services companies use explainer videos to demystify complex financial concepts, products, and services for their audiences. Investment strategies, insurance products, retirement planning, wealth management services, and financial market dynamics are all subjects that benefit from the clarifying power of animated explainer videos. Financial services explainer videos help demystify intimidating subjects, build trust through clear communication, and differentiate brands in a competitive market where trust and clarity are key decision factors. Many financial services companies use explainer videos on their website, in educational content marketing, and in sales presentations to help prospects understand their offerings and make informed decisions.

Education, e-learning, and training organisations rely heavily on explainer videos to deliver educational content in engaging, effective formats. Educational explainer videos make learning more engaging, improve information retention, accommodate different learning styles, and can be produced in multiple languages to serve diverse student populations. From animated micro-lessons that explain specific concepts to comprehensive animated course content that guides students through entire curricula, explainer videos have transformed how educational content is created and delivered. Corporate training departments also use explainer videos to deliver consistent, engaging training content to employees across multiple locations, improving knowledge retention and learner satisfaction while reducing the cost and logistical complexity of in-person training.

Technology & SaaS

Homepage explainers, product demos, sales enablement

Healthcare & Medical

Patient education, treatment explanations, device demos

Financial Services

Investment education, insurance explainers, product demos

Education & Training

Micro-lessons, course content, corporate training

Measuring the Success of Your Explainer Video

Measuring the effectiveness of your explainer video is essential for understanding return on investment, optimising future content, and building the business case for continued video investment. The specific metrics you track should align with the strategic objectives you defined at the start of the project, ensuring that you are measuring what matters rather than just what is easy to measure.

Engagement metrics provide insight into how audiences are interacting with your explainer video. View count measures how many people have watched your video, providing a basic measure of reach. Play rate measures the percentage of visitors who click play when they encounter your video on a webpage, which is an important indicator of how compelling your video thumbnail and surrounding context are. Completion rate measures the percentage of viewers who watch the video to the end, which is a strong indicator of content quality and audience relevance. Average view duration tells you how long viewers are watching before dropping off, and analysing drop-off points in your video can reveal which sections are engaging and which may need improvement. Social shares, comments, and engagement metrics on social media platforms provide additional insight into how your content resonates with audiences and whether it inspires conversation and sharing.

Business impact metrics connect your explainer video directly to organisational outcomes. Conversion rate measures the percentage of viewers who complete a desired action after watching, such as making a purchase, requesting a demo, signing up for a free trial, or downloading a resource. Lead generation metrics track how many new leads your video generates and the quality of those leads. Sales acceleration metrics measure whether prospects who watched your video move through the sales pipeline faster than those who did not. For explainer videos placed on websites, A/B testing can measure whether pages with explainer videos convert better than pages without, providing direct evidence of the video's impact on conversion rates. For explanatory and training content, knowledge retention metrics can measure how effectively the video communicates information that viewers understand and remember.

Key Metrics to Track: View count, play rate, and reach • Completion rate and average view duration • Click-through rate and conversion rate • Social shares, comments, and engagement • Lead generation and quality metrics • Sales pipeline acceleration • A/B test results comparing pages with and without video • Cost per view and return on investment • Audience retention analysis for content optimisation

DIY vs Professional Explainer Video Production

One of the most common questions businesses face when considering an explainer video is whether to produce it in-house using DIY tools or to invest in professional production from a dedicated explainer video company. Both approaches have legitimate advantages, and the right choice depends on your specific circumstances, objectives, and resources. Understanding the trade-offs between DIY and professional production helps you make an informed decision that aligns with your budget, timeline, quality requirements, and strategic goals.

DIY explainer video tools like Animaker, Vyond, Powtoon, and Biteable offer template-based production with drag-and-drop interfaces that require no animation experience. These tools are useful for internal communications, simple training content, and projects where speed and low cost are more important than creative quality. The cost of DIY tools is typically a monthly subscription of $20 to $100, and videos can be produced in hours or days. However, DIY explainer videos have significant limitations including generic template-based visuals, limited customisation, and a quality ceiling that is well below professional production standards. For external-facing content that represents your brand to customers and prospects, the quality limitations of DIY tools can undermine your brand perception and reduce the effectiveness of your message.

Professional explainer video production from a dedicated company offers custom-created content tailored to your brand, your message, and your audience. Professional explainers feature distinctive visual design, professional voice-over talent, custom or premium licensed music, and expert animation that creates a polished, engaging viewing experience. The cost is significantly higher typically $3,000 to $20,000 for most professional explainer projects but the quality and strategic effectiveness are correspondingly higher. Professional explainer videos are appropriate for website homepage content, sales presentations, marketing campaigns, and any content where your brand's image and the effectiveness of your message are priorities worth investing in.

DIY Tools

Best for internal content, simple training, and budget-constrained projects. $20–$100 monthly subscription, hours to days production time, generic template-based quality suitable for internal audiences.

Professional Production

Best for website content, sales presentations, marketing campaigns. $3,000–$20,000+ investment, 8–16 weeks production time, custom-designed content with professional quality that enhances brand perception.

Trends in Explainer Video Production for 2026

The explainer video industry continues to evolve in response to technological advances, changing audience expectations, and new applications for animated content in business contexts. Understanding emerging trends helps organisations make forward-looking decisions about their explainer video strategy and choose production partners who are positioned to deliver content that feels current and performs effectively.

Personalised and interactive explainer videos represent one of the most exciting developments in the industry. Advances in video personalisation technology allow explainer video companies to create videos that customise the content based on viewer data including industry, role, location, or stage in the buying journey. A single explainer video can be produced in multiple versions that each speak directly to a different audience segment, with personalised visuals, messaging, and calls to action. Interactive elements allow viewers to make choices within the video that affect what they see, creating engaging experiences that increase time spent with content and improve information retention. While personalised and interactive explainer videos require more sophisticated production capabilities and higher budgets, they deliver significantly higher engagement and conversion rates that justify the additional investment for many clients.

Short-form and mobile-optimised explainer content is increasingly important as mobile video consumption continues to grow. Explainer video companies are creating shorter versions of traditional explainer videos, typically thirty to forty-five seconds, that are optimised for mobile viewing and social media platforms. These micro-explainers focus on communicating the single most important message as quickly as possible, recognising that mobile viewers have even shorter attention spans and are more likely to be watching in distracting environments. Many explainer video companies now produce a primary sixty to ninety second explainer video for website use along with shorter derivative versions optimised for social media, email marketing, and mobile advertising, maximising the return on the production investment by repurposing content across multiple formats and platforms.

Personalised Explainer Videos

Customised content based on viewer data including industry, role, location, or buying stage. Interactive elements allowing viewer choices that affect the video narrative. Higher engagement and conversion rates justify the investment.

Mobile-Optimised Micro-Explainer

Shorter 30–45 second versions optimised for mobile viewing and social media. Focus on single core message. Multiple derivative versions from a single production to maximise return on investment across platforms.

The Art of Explainer Video Scriptwriting

The script is the single most important element of any explainer video. While beautiful animation, professional voice-over, and polished sound design all contribute to the quality of the finished video, the script determines whether the video will achieve its strategic objectives. A great script can overcome mediocre animation, but no amount of visual polish can salvage a poorly written script that fails to communicate clearly, engage emotionally, or motivate action. Understanding what makes an effective explainer video script helps you evaluate the scripts your production company delivers and collaborate more effectively in the script development process.

The classic explainer video script structure follows a proven three-act format that has been refined over thousands of successful campaigns. Act one establishes the problem or pain point that the target audience experiences. This section must be specific, relatable, and emotionally resonant, making viewers feel understood and creating the tension that the rest of the video will resolve. Act two introduces the solution the product, service, or approach that addresses the problem established in act one. This section should focus on benefits rather than features, showing how the solution improves the viewer's situation rather than simply describing what it does. Act three delivers the call to action, telling viewers what to do next and giving them a compelling reason to take that action immediately. This three-act structure works because it mirrors how humans naturally process and respond to stories, making the message feel familiar and persuasive rather than sales-oriented.

Word count and pacing are critical technical considerations in explainer video scriptwriting. A typical sixty-second explainer video should contain approximately 140 to 160 words, allowing for a comfortable speaking pace of about 2.5 words per second. A ninety-second video should contain approximately 210 to 240 words. Scripts that exceed these word counts force the voice-over artist to speak too quickly, making the video feel rushed and difficult to follow. Scripts that are significantly shorter may feel underdeveloped or leave too much dead air between key messages. Professional explainer video scriptwriters are meticulous about word count and pacing, understanding that the timing of each word affects how the animation is designed, how the viewer processes information, and how the overall video feels to watch.

Writing for the ear rather than the page is a fundamental principle of explainer video scriptwriting. A script that reads well on paper may not sound natural when spoken aloud. Effective explainer video scripts use conversational language, short sentences, active voice, and natural phrasing that sounds authentic when delivered by a voice-over artist. They avoid jargon, complex terminology, and overly formal language that can make the video feel corporate and distant. They use rhetorical devices like questions, contrasts, and parallel structure to create rhythm and emphasis that keeps listeners engaged. The best test of an explainer video script is reading it aloud if it sounds natural and conversational when spoken, it will work well as a voice-over script. If it sounds stiff, formal, or awkward when read aloud, it needs to be revised before production begins.

Collaboration between the client and the scriptwriter is an essential part of the script development process. The client brings deep knowledge of their product, industry, and audience, while the scriptwriter brings expertise in storytelling, messaging, and the explainer video format. The most productive script collaborations are built on clear communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to creating the most effective video possible. Clients should provide clear input on what the video needs to communicate, what messages are most important, and what tone and style are appropriate for their brand and audience. Scriptwriters should listen carefully to client input, ask questions that deepen their understanding, and apply their creative expertise to transform that input into a compelling script. The best explainer video scripts are true collaborations that combine client knowledge with professional writing craft.

Scriptwriting Tips: Follow the three-act structure problem, solution, call to action • Keep word count to 140–160 words for 60-second videos • Write conversationally for the ear, not the page • Focus on benefits, not features • Use active voice and short sentences • Read the script aloud to test natural flow • Avoid jargon and overly formal language • Collaborate closely with your scriptwriter throughout the process • Test your script with someone unfamiliar with your product before finalising

Distributing and Promoting Your Explainer Video

Creating a great explainer video is only half the battle. To realise the full return on your production investment, you need a thoughtful distribution and promotion strategy that puts your video in front of the right audience at the right time and in the right context. The most effective explainer video campaigns combine strategic placement on your owned channels with targeted promotion through paid, earned, and shared media to maximise reach, engagement, and conversion.

Your website is the most important home for your explainer video. The video should be prominently placed where visitors will see it quickly, typically above the fold on your homepage, on key product or service pages, and on dedicated landing pages for marketing campaigns. The placement should consider both desktop and mobile viewing experiences, ensuring that the video player is appropriately sized and positioned on all devices. The surrounding page content should complement the video, providing additional context, supporting information, and clear calls to action that capture viewers who are ready to take the next step. Many companies find that placing an explainer video on their homepage increases conversion rates by 20 to 40 percent or more, making website placement one of the highest-return distribution strategies available.

Social media platforms offer powerful distribution channels for explainer video content, but the approach must be tailored to each platform's unique characteristics. On LinkedIn, explainer videos perform well as native posts that appear directly in the feed, particularly for B2B content targeting professional audiences. On YouTube, explainer videos should be optimised with search-friendly titles, descriptions, and tags to attract organic views from users searching for solutions related to your product or service. On Instagram and TikTok, shorter derivative versions of your explainer video can reach younger audiences and drive traffic to your website. On Twitter, short video clips with compelling hooks can generate engagement and drive link clicks. The key to social media distribution is creating platform-specific versions of your content that respect each platform's conventions and audience expectations rather than simply posting the same video everywhere.

Email marketing integration is one of the most effective distribution strategies for explainer videos. Including a video thumbnail with a play button overlay in email campaigns can significantly increase open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Emails featuring video content typically generate 200 to 300 percent higher click-through rates than emails without video. The video can be featured in welcome emails for new subscribers, product launch announcements, nurture sequences for leads in the sales pipeline, and re-engagement campaigns for inactive contacts. Best practices for email video distribution include using an attention-grabbing subject line that mentions video content, placing the video thumbnail prominently in the email body, linking the thumbnail to a landing page where the video plays rather than embedding the video directly in the email, and tracking click-through rates and downstream conversions to measure the video's impact on email campaign performance.

Sales team enablement is a distribution channel that many companies overlook when planning their explainer video strategy. Equipping your sales team with your explainer video gives them a powerful tool for prospect communication. Sales representatives can share the video in initial outreach emails to introduce their company and value proposition, send it to prospects who are evaluating your solution to accelerate their understanding, use it in sales presentations and product demonstrations to communicate key messages consistently, and include it in proposal documents and follow-up communications to reinforce your value proposition. Providing your sales team with the video file, a shareable link, and guidance on when and how to use it in their sales process ensures that your production investment delivers value throughout the entire customer acquisition funnel, not just in marketing channels.

Owned Channels

Website homepage and landing pages, email marketing campaigns, blog posts and resource centre, sales presentations and proposals, and company social media profiles.

Paid & Earned Channels

YouTube and social media advertising, paid promotion of social posts, influencer partnerships, industry publication features, and trade show and event displays.

Image: A multichannel distribution strategy visual showing an explainer video being deployed across multiple platforms including a website landing page, a social media feed post, an email marketing campaign, a sales presentation on a tablet, and a YouTube channel, with analytics dashboards tracking performance across each channel

Frequently Asked Questions About Explainer Video Companies

How much does it cost to produce an explainer video?

Production costs vary based on animation style, video length, complexity, and the experience of the production company. Template-based videos range from $500 to $2,000. Entry-level professional explainer videos range from $3,000 to $8,000. Mid-range professional explainer videos from established studios range from $8,000 to $20,000. Premium explainer videos from top-tier studios range from $20,000 to $50,000 or more for complex 3D animation and ambitious creative concepts. Most professional explainer videos for website and marketing use fall in the $8,000 to $20,000 range.

How long does it take to produce an explainer video?

The typical timeline from initial discovery to final delivery is 8 to 16 weeks. Discovery and strategy takes 1 to 2 weeks. Scriptwriting and refinement takes 1 to 3 weeks. Storyboarding takes 1 to 2 weeks. Visual development takes 1 to 2 weeks. Voice-over and audio production takes approximately 1 week. Animation production takes 3 to 6 weeks depending on complexity. Post-production and final delivery takes 1 to 2 weeks. Timelines can be accelerated for simpler projects or when using template-based production approaches.

What is the best animation style for an explainer video?

The best animation style depends on your specific objectives, audience, brand identity, budget, and content type. 2D vector animation is the most versatile and commonly used style, offering a professional look at a reasonable cost. Motion graphics excels at presenting data and information clearly. Character animation creates emotional connections and works well for storytelling. Whiteboard animation is effective for educational content and complex explanations. 3D animation offers the highest visual impact but at a significantly higher cost. Consult with explainer video professionals to determine the best style for your project based on your specific needs and budget.

How long should an explainer video be?

The optimal length for a website explainer video is 60 to 90 seconds. This length is long enough to communicate a clear message including problem identification, solution presentation, and call to action, while remaining short enough to hold viewer attention. Social media explainer videos should be even shorter, typically 15 to 45 seconds. Training and educational explainer videos can be longer, typically 3 to 10 minutes depending on subject complexity. As a general rule, shorter is better for marketing content. Focus on communicating one clear message as efficiently as possible.

Do I need a script for my explainer video?

Yes, a script is essential for any explainer video. The script is the foundation of the entire project, determining the message, pacing, visual approach, and overall effectiveness of the finished video. A professional script ensures that your message is clear, compelling, and strategically aligned with your objectives. It also provides the basis for the storyboard, voice-over recording, and animation production. Attempting to produce an explainer video without a well-developed script significantly increases the risk of creating content that fails to achieve its strategic objectives.

Can I create explainer videos in multiple languages?

Yes, explainer videos can be produced in multiple languages to serve global audiences. The most common approach is to produce the animation with the visual content and then create multiple language versions through voice-over recording in each target language. Some companies also adapt visual elements for different markets, including on-screen text, cultural references, and character diversity. Producing multiple language versions from a single animation project is generally more cost-effective than producing separate animations for each market. Discuss your multilingual requirements with your explainer video company early in the process.

Creating Explainer Videos That Drive Results

Explainer videos have established themselves as one of the most effective content formats available to businesses of all sizes and across every industry. Their ability to explain complex ideas clearly, engage audiences emotionally, and drive measurable business results makes them a valuable investment for any organisation that needs to communicate its value proposition effectively in a competitive marketplace.

The key to creating an explainer video that delivers real results is approaching the project strategically. Start with a clear understanding of your audience and what you need them to know, feel, or do. Invest in professional scriptwriting that distills your message into a clear, compelling narrative. Choose an explainer video company whose creative style, experience, and working approach align with your needs. Trust your production partner to bring their expertise to your project while maintaining clear communication throughout the process. And measure the performance of your video against the objectives you defined at the start, using the insights you gain to inform future content investments.

The explainer video industry continues to evolve with new technologies, creative approaches, and platform requirements. Organisations that stay informed about these developments and maintain a strategic approach to their explainer video investment will be best positioned to leverage this powerful content format effectively. Whether you are creating your first explainer video or adding to an established library of animated content, the principles of effective explainer video production remain the same: know your audience, define your objectives, invest in quality, and measure your results.

Explainer videos are not just about making content that looks good they are about creating content that works. When approached strategically and executed professionally, an explainer video becomes one of the most powerful tools in your marketing and communications arsenal, helping you explain your value, engage your audience, and convert viewers into customers in ways that few other content formats can match.

Image: A creative team reviewing a completed explainer video project on a large monitor in a modern studio space, with storyboards and character designs displayed on a nearby wall, and the final animation playing on the screen showing colourful 2D animated scenes

Resources for Explainer Video Production

Several resources can help you navigate the explainer video landscape and find the right production partner for your project. Industry blogs and publications focused on video marketing and animation provide valuable insights into best practices, emerging trends, and case studies of successful explainer video campaigns.

Online platforms like Clutch, Sortlist, and DesignRush maintain directories of explainer video companies with client reviews, portfolio examples, and pricing information that support the evaluation and selection process. These platforms allow you to search for companies by specialisation, location, budget range, and client rating. Industry events including animation festivals, content marketing conferences, and digital marketing summits provide opportunities to see the latest explainer video work, connect with leading production companies, and stay informed about industry developments.

Professional networks and referrals remain one of the most reliable ways to find quality explainer video companies. Marketing colleagues, industry peers, agency partners, and professional network connections who have experience with explainer video production can provide valuable recommendations based on firsthand experience. Building relationships with explainer video companies through initial consultations and smaller pilot projects helps you develop trusted production partnerships for larger, more ambitious projects in the future.

Industry Resources

Video marketing blogs, animation industry publications, and content marketing resources providing best practices, trends, and case studies for explainer video production.

Online Platforms

Clutch, Sortlist, and DesignRush directories of explainer video companies with client reviews, portfolio examples, and pricing information for informed partner selection.

Professional Networks

Referrals from marketing colleagues and industry peers. Professional network connections providing recommendations based on firsthand experience with explainer video companies.

Jessica Park

Animation & Video Marketing Strategist • 12+ years in explainer content production. Jessica has led explainer video strategy and production for companies ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 corporations across technology, healthcare, financial services, and education sectors. She specialises in helping organisations develop strategic explainer video programmes that drive measurable business results.

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