Affiliate

10 video mistakes that could be costing you sales

Product videos are more than demos - they can directly influence trust, trials and sales. Learn what a strong product video should include, how to guide users from YouTube to the Store and how affiliate links can help sellers turn incoming traffic into additional revenue.

The latest Store updates are making product presentation more important than ever. Product details, structured information, trials and performance signals all help users understand what they are looking at and whether the product is worth testing.

But one part of the product page is still often underestimated: video.

A product video can help users understand the product faster, start the trial correctly and move towards purchase with less friction. But if it is too long, unclear or poorly linked, it can do the opposite - create confusion, reduce trust and cost sellers potential sales.

Below are 10 common video mistakes that can weaken product performance and make users drop off before they ever reach the buying stage.

10 common mistakes in product videos

To make this more practical, let’s look at a real example from one of our sellers: AlgoXP1.

In this example, the video already gives users a product demonstration, which is a good starting point. However, it also shows several issues that can reduce the effectiveness of product videos: unclear links, missing setup guidance, weak discoverability signals and unused affiliate opportunities.

View video example

Below are 10 common video mistakes sellers should avoid.

1. Making the video too long without structure

Long videos can work, but only if they are easy to follow. Without chapters, sections or clear transitions, users may drop off before they understand the product’s value.

2. Using a weak title without relevant keywords

The title should clearly show what the product is and help users find it. Where relevant, include keywords such as cTrader, cTrader Store, trading bot, trading robot, algo, algorithmic trading, indicator, plugin, copy trading, forex trading or the product’s specific use case.

A vague title may look cleaner, but it makes the video harder to discover and less useful for search.

3. Not using relevant hashtags or keywords in the description

Hashtags and keywords help organise the video and improve discoverability on YouTube. They should reflect the product type, platform and use case, for example #cTrader, #TradingBot, #TradingRobot, #AlgoTrading, #ForexTrading, #Indicator or #cTraderStore where relevant.

4. Showing the interface without explaining what is happening

A screen recording alone is not enough. Users need to understand what each action means, why it matters and what they should do next.

5. No voiceover, captions or text explanations

If there is no voiceover, captions or on-screen text, the video becomes harder to follow, especially for users who are new to the product or watching without sound.

6. No visual highlights or graphic inserts

Videos are easier to understand when key actions are highlighted. Use arrows, zoom-ins, labels, short text blocks or other simple visual cues to draw attention to important steps.

7. No clear installation or setup guidance

Users should not have to guess how to install, launch or configure the product. If setup is not explained step by step, many users will drop off before testing.

8. Not explaining how to start and use the trial

If a trial is available, the video should show how to activate it, what users can test and how to avoid common issues.

9. Not showing how to evaluate performance

Buyers need to know where to look, what to check and how to understand whether the product is working as expected.

10. Missing, unclear or non-affiliate links

The video description should include clear links to the product, relevant Store pages and affiliate links where applicable. This is especially important because the cTrader affiliate programme allows partners to earn additional revenue from traffic they bring to the Store.

If links are missing, mixed up or not created through the affiliate programme, sellers may lose both potential buyers and extra commission from the same audience.

A strong video makes the next step obvious

A product video should help users move from interest to usage.

At a minimum, it should show:
• how to launch the product
• how to start the trial
• how to evaluate performance and results

This is especially important for bots, indicators and plugins, where users may need guidance before they feel confident enough to test or buy.

Instead of only recording the interface, explain the flow. What is happening? Why does it matter? What should the user do next?

A useful video can include voiceover, captions, short text inserts or highlighted actions on screen. It does not need to be overproduced. It needs to be clear.

Clear setup prevents failed trials

If a product requires specific conditions, the video should explain them before users get stuck.

This may include:
• required parameters
• trading pairs
• platform settings
• trial limitations
• manual steps before launch

These details may seem obvious to the creator, but they are not always obvious to the buyer.

When this information is missing, users can fail at the trial stage without ever seeing the real value of the product. A good video reduces this risk by showing the correct setup and making the experience easier to repeat.

Affiliate links can turn traffic into extra revenue

A product video should not only explain the product. It should also make sure that incoming traffic is captured properly.

This is where the cTrader affiliate programme becomes especially relevant.

The programme is powered by Impact.com and allows partners to create tracked affiliate links to cTrader Store pages. cTrader Affiliate Programme offers a unique two-stream monetisation model. It allows partners to earn from Store product sales and broker affiliate links within one ecosystem.

For sellers, this means video can support more than one goal at the same time:
• help users understand the product
• guide them to the right Store page
• capture incoming traffic through affiliate links
• create an additional revenue stream from that traffic

Every user you bring from YouTube can generate an additional +10% revenue - simply by using the right affiliate link.

Even if they purchase someone else’s product, you still earn.
Your traffic doesn’t just convert once - it stays attributed to you, typically for at least 6 months, allowing you to benefit from future purchases within the Store ecosystem.

This is why links under the video matter. They should be clear, relevant and placed where users can easily find them.

At minimum, the description should include:
• a direct link to the product
• a link to the seller profile or relevant Store page
• an affiliate link where applicable
• a clear short explanation of what each link is for

The video should not end with interest. It should lead users into a trackable path where traffic can turn into product sales and additional affiliate revenue.

Checklist: what to include in a product video

✓ Clearly explain what the product does and who it is for

✓ Show how to launch the product step by step

✓ Demonstrate how to start and use the trial

✓ Explain how to evaluate performance and results

✓ Show a realistic usage scenario, not only isolated features

✓ Add voiceover, captions or text inserts to explain key actions

✓ Highlight important steps on screen

✓ Explain setup requirements, limitations or special conditions

✓ Include direct links in the video description

✓ Use affiliate links where relevant to capture and monetise incoming traffic

Why sellers should update their videos now

The Store is becoming more structured, more performance-driven and more focused on helping users make decisions faster. In this environment, video is part of the sales flow.

A clear video helps users understand the product, start the trial correctly and evaluate the result with less friction. With the right links, it can also turn external traffic into Store visits and create additional monetisation opportunities through the affiliate programme.

For sellers, the message is simple: if the product video is outdated, unclear or missing key steps, now is the right time to update it.