Video content has become a key aspect in the e-commerce world. Major Dutch online retailers such as Bol, Coolblue, and Wehkamp invest heavily in product videos, social media reel and stories. Yet, opportunities are missed because many videos still lack subtitles. Adding subtitles to your videos will lead to greater reach, better engagement, and higher conversions.
Watch video in silence
More and more consumers watch videos without sound. Someone scrolling through Instagram on the go, checking LinkedIn during work hours, or watching TikTok on the couch with family without disturbing others. Without subtitles, the message is lost in those circumstances. With clear captions, the content remains understandable, even when the content is muted.
Inclusive communication
This situation presents a huge opportunity for Dutch e-commerce companies. Companies like Albert Heijn, Zalando, and fonQ produce daily content for diverse target audiences. Adding subtitles will make that content more accessible to everyone, including people with hearing impairments or viewers with limited proficiency in the Dutch language. This does not only increases its potential but also strengthens a brand's inclusive image.
Make video content crawlable for search engines
In addition subtitles play an important role in SEO. Search engines cannot “view” video footage, but they can index subtitles and transcripts. As a result, subtitled video content becomes easier to find on Google or AI. For e-commerce companies competing in visibility and online traffic, this can directly contribute to more visitors and ultimately more revenue.
Subtitled videos effective on social media
Subtitled videos also attain better results on social media. Studies show that videos with captions are viewed longer and are shared more often. This is relevant for brands such as MediaMarkt, Blokker, and de Bijenkorf, which rely heavily on online visibility and brand experience. The longer a user keeps watching, the greater the likelihood of interaction and purchase intent.
Subtitles are a smart optimization
For Dutch e-commerce companies, subtitling is therefore no longer an “extra,” but a smart optimization of existing marketing efforts. In a market where attention is scarce and competition is fierce, it is precisely these kinds of details that make the difference. Anyone looking to get a higher return from video content would be wise to make subtitling a standard part of their content strategy.
Partner in subtitling
Scribit.Pro is the ultimate partner for video accessibility. Every day, we provide videos with high-end subtitles, audio descriptions, and transcriptions — working towards a more inclusive digital world.