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Platforms like YouTube have revolutionized the way we consume content. YouTubers and content creators have become some of the most influential figures in modern media. But do these creators require a website to amplify their reach and potential? The short answer is yes.
As a content creator, having a website not only provides a personal space for your brand but also acts as a safety net should anything go awry with your YouTube channel or other social media accounts. This article will delve into the reasons why websites for YouTubers are essential and how they can be leveraged for success.
The Case for Youtuber Websites
Owning Your Online Real Estate
Just like owning a piece of land, having a website means you have a piece of the internet that is entirely yours. You have full control over its design, content, and functionality. Unlike social media platforms, which are subject to changes in algorithms and policies, your website remains constant.
With 71% of small businesses owning a website, websites continue to be a large medium for traffic and revenue.
"Having a website means that you own it. Social media is owned by big businesses that only care about how the platform will make money for them, so they don't have your best interest at heart."
Building Your Community
A website provides a platform to cultivate and engage with your community. You can encourage your audience to subscribe to your newsletter, participate in discussions, or access exclusive content. This way, you can maintain a direct line of communication with your followers, without the interference of social media algorithms.
Venturing Beyond YouTube
Your creative journey might take you places beyond YouTube. Whether you decide to launch a product line, offer consulting services, or write a blog, your website can accommodate these new ventures. In essence, your website can grow and evolve with your brand while it may be remain limited on platforms like YouTube.
Transforming Content into Blog Posts
As a YouTuber, you're already a content creator. Each video you create can be transcribed into a blog post and published on your website. This practice not only provides additional value for your visitors but also improves your website's SEO.
Especially with AI tools like ChatGPT, repurposing video content into blogs to rank for target keywords on search engines has never been easier.
Getting Started with Your Website
The Easy Way
For those not particularly tech-savvy, there are several different options you can go with. These website providers are great for busy creators who don't know much about websites:
Selecting one of these options will ensure your website will get up and running quickly while making it super easy for you.
Choosing Your Domain and Hosting
Your domain name should ideally be your brand or YouTube channel name. It's the address where internet users can access your website. Hosting, on the other hand, is the service that makes your website accessible on the internet.
"Before you get started you'll want to buy your domain name and hosting. Your domain name should be your business name with a .com, .co, .net, and so on."
Selecting a Theme
After setting up WordPress, the next step is to select a theme for your website. As a rule of thumb, keep it simple. Choose a theme that aligns with your brand's aesthetic and offers the features you need.
Branding for Beginners
In the early stages, you can match your website's branding with your YouTube channel. Limit your fonts to two choices and your colors to three. Consistent branding across platforms helps reinforce your brand identity.
Driving Traffic
Link your website to all your social media channels, including your YouTube channel. This will help drive traffic to your website.
Reasons to Build a Website as a Youtuber
1. Boosting Channel Authority
One often overlooked aspect of YouTube is channel authority. Backlinks, which are links from other websites to your channel, can significantly boost your channel's authority. By having a website, you can create these backlinks yourself, improving your channel's visibility on YouTube.
2. Growing Your Email List
Building an email list is crucial for business growth. Collecting email subscribers is much easier with a website. You can incorporate pop-ups and inline email subscription boxes on your website, providing multiple opportunities for visitors to join your email list.
3. Leveraging Google and YouTube Together
By interlinking your content across Google and YouTube, you can create a seamless experience for your audience. This practice can also improve your SEO and channel authority.
4. Diversifying Your Income
Having a YouTube channel and a website opens up multiple income streams. You can monetize your YouTube channel through Adsense and your website through ad displays and affiliate marketing.
5. Security and Ownership
One of the major reasons for having a website is security. If your YouTube channel gets blocked or shut down, your website remains a safe space for your brand. It's a platform you own, which means you have full control over it.
Let Creator Essentials Help
While YouTube offers a fantastic platform for content creators, having a personal website provides an added layer of security and control. Not only does it serve as a home base for your brand, but it also offers numerous opportunities for growth and monetization. Here at Creator Essentials, I've seen optimized websites for content creators bring in tons of new sales, help with follower retention (stickiness), and reach people across the world.
So, do YouTubers need websites? Absolutely! Once you get your website up and running, reach out to me and I'll review your website to make it optimized for search engines.
Written by Rob Miller
Founder, Creator Essentials
Rob has been on YouTube since 2016 and has worked on dozens of channels and websites, including his own, amassing hundreds of millions of views and hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
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