Why Build a Website for your YouTube Channel

Not every YouTube channel needs a dedicated website, but many could definitely benefit from it depending on what your goals are and who you're trying to reach. In both my experience and in SarahFit's experience, having a website gives you more opportunities and helps you reach a broader demographic of viewers.

I talked with Sarah about her website, how she uses it to complement her YouTube channel, and a few tips for getting started with your own website.

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[VideoCreators]

There's many reasons why it may be helpful for your YouTube channel to have its own website. the strategy behind sarahfit.com and how she uses it to compliment her YouTube channel.

[SteveCarmichael]

I use Blogger for my site.  It was easy to set up and it's very convenient that it's integrated with youtube and adsense.  I was using wordpress but it seemed overly complicated and I think there were rules against ads and making money at least for the free one.

[NerdSyncProductions]

I have battled with the idea of setting up our own website for a long time. I just can't really justify it right now. I am not a fan of the Wordpress stuff because no matter how much I read up on it I can never understand it. I know that it would help having one place where all our videos, podcasts, and comics are would be helpful, but every time I get money I put it into better sound gear or a new computer or camera or something that will make our videos better because I think that's the most important thing right now.

[NerdSyncProductions]

Also, I was wondering if you would go with a .com or a .net domain. NerdSync.com is (kinda) taken so we were thinking about doing either NerdSync.net or NerdSyncProductions.com. Ideally I would want to buy both just to have them, but for just starting out what would you recommend? What are the pros and cons of each?

[AndreasFilms]

I don't have a blog, but I do have a "portfolio" website where I post some of my videos and I came to realise that very few people from YT will actually go to my website, but people who find my website are more likely to check out my YT channel.
I also feel that a good website shows professionalism and enforces your branding.

[DebisDesignDiary]

Prophoto.com is a great template with a ton of support for creating a website that looks custom, they have it set up so you can design your site without HTML knowledge. This is good option, for someone who doesn't want to use a web designer. I agree YT is a separate audience, however many of my blog readers are subscribed to me because they enjoy watching my videos, they wait for my blog post to watch my latest videos instead of subscribing to my YT channel, mostly the older demographic that's not so much into the Yt platform.  Interesting the way it works I know that my blog and my other social platforms would be significantly smaller without my YouTube channel however those followers aren't necessarily crossing over to YouTube to subscribe, yet they are still watching and engaging on other sites.

[bboygermy]

Do you think that one could effectively use blogger (blogspot) as the website to build for one's channel? If so, how could one place more ads on it beyond adsense and/or effectively profit from using it?

[virgilpminnick]

what website/ program should u use to create

[hewittzhotwheelz]

So if I made a online store, would I want to name it the same as my YouTube channel, or different

[moodanemorokishi]

Hi Tim I was thinking to buy a .TV domain for my channel and post all my channel videos there with template and video categories of my choice. Since I know how to create websites, that's not an issue for me. How can I optimize my website if all it has is youtube videos?

[MatthewsLife]

I think every youtuber that wants to do something big on YT should have a domain with an e-mail on it and start there. I started by forwarding the domain over to my channel and then being a website designer right out of High School I went and started a website

I started by buying my name in my name as my domain matthewdykstra.com and .ca which protected that part of my brand then as I decided to change things, started vlogging and a second channel I moved into using my YouTube name (my dad came up with) and bought the .ca and .com but as I learned more about protecting the brand I bought the .net, .org, .pw

But for each major thing I bought the domain for it like dykstra.tv or dykstraadventures.com 

You almost have to try and cater to all the users you can some would rather go to a website and other a youtube channel and some are only on Facebook. I know my dad finds all my videos on Facebook and My Mother would rather I send them on Facebook Messaging so if you can reach all levels of your audience then go for it. 

I used to have a website for each of my 5 channels and now I have moved on to two 1 for my YouTube videos and writings and 1 for my portfolio of website design, YouTube channels and Print work. 

Just My Opinion
Matthew

[TomasMichaud]

I thought the purpose of my YouTube channel was to get people to my blog, to have them sign up for free stuff, to eventually purchase my paid stuff... I'm not clear why someone would want to have a YouTube channel without a website (except as a hobby of course). Maybe I accidentally ended up on a channel for hobbyists? Nothing wrong with that, just trying to figure out what peoples goals are so I understand what I'm watching.

[BeastModeGaming]

Hey, I love your videos! But I have a question, so I'm starting to build a decent fan base. I am at almost 2500 subscribers, but unfortunately I have 2 copyright strikes.:/ If I already did youtubes copyright school and I just wait 6 months for them to be up will, they go back to normal?? Please respond!

[RebeccaBlokzijl]

Yes I do have a website, for search on Google and just share some things. It isn't as big as my YouTube channel ore Facebook page but people can find everything there.

[WayneMeador]

I really enjoyed this episode Video Creators...well done Tim. I think it really hits home because it applies to me, right now...something that I'm working on as I type. I may take her up and hire somebody! lol

[mccunecp]

I like to make my website a click able link in my videos.  how the heck do you do that every thing is good on my videos but a pain in the but to get it link-able associated website link never shows up. 

[AshAlmond]

Great upload Tim... I would say.. the more the merrier... but creating another website, will surely make us get busier and busier... we double the workload for both YouTube channel and the website, will we get double benefits from having the two?

[MehrMehndi]

Any tips on how to design a website? Is it easy or should I hire someone? If i should hire, how will I know if that person is good or not? Any suggestions for good web designers?

[caratcrochetCoUk]

Having your own website is definitely a good idea, but it is a little like a minefield knowing where to start.  I have my own domain name and full control over all my content and write all my own stuff which is great but I'm sure not totally necessary.  If you are new to all this sort of stuff, starting with a Facebook Page of your own is a good place to start or similar facility in other places.  But ultimately, you really want to have a presence in as many places as possible which point to your YouTube channel (which I know you've mentioned before Tim).

[Irobotgaming]

I have a Youtube Channel and I also have a Blog Site and a Video Site. I use Blogger for those. Lots of work but its good because I Triple my Traffic.