- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
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- 22,357
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- Channel Type
- Youtuber
Once you have reached a certain amount of following on YouTube it is a good idea to start thinking about further branding your channel/yourself and there are a number of ways in which you can do this. Your current audience is on the internet and one of the first things you should consider is having a website built around you and your videos and life.
Why a website?
Having a website built means your audience has another place to check out your videos but most importantly, a place to get to know you a little more and this is where a blog website would work perfectly although it does depend on the type of videos you do. For example, if you have a gaming channel, a gaming focused website would work well if you can offer something there other than what is already on your channel, perhaps articles or text walkthroughs, if you have a vlog channel, a more personal blog with regular updates on your life and any additional info etc will be best. Consider this when furthering your YouTube branding.
Of course, building a website can require learning coding, a lot of time and this is rarely good for most and that is why having a website built for you will allow you to carry on with your normal YouTube video schedule. Even though it could cost you a lot of money, the learning curve will be much less intensive for you and you will have plenty of spare time for other things and those things make it worth it.
Who has one who uses YouTube?
Here are a few examples of YouTubers who have their own websites so you can get an idea of what they do on them, if one would be good for you and perhaps even to inspire you:
Fred (Lucas Cruikshank)
Channel: www.youtube.com/user/Fred
Website: http://fredfigglehorn.com/
NigaHiga (Ryan Higa)
Channel: www.youtube.com/user/nigahiga
Website: http://www.higatv.com/
KevJumba
Channel:http://youtube.com/user/kevjumba
Website: http://www.kevjumba.com/
Smosh (Anthony Padilla & Ian Hecox)
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/smosh
Website: http://www.smosh.com/
MichellePhan
Channel: www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan
Website: http://www.michellephan.com/
QueenBeeuty (Kalel)
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/QueenBeeuty
Website: http://xoxokalel.com/
MysteryGuitarMan
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MysteryGuitarMan
Website: http://mysteryguitarman.com/
FreddieW (Freddie Wong & Brandon Laatsch)
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/freddiew
Website: http://facerocker.com/
Choosing a Web Developer/Designer
It is a good idea to shop around before deciding on who you will go with to build your website, you will want someone with a good understanding of XHTML, CSS, CMS systems and preferably PHP. There are hundreds of thousands of web design/development companies out there on the internet so choose the one who suits you and also your budget. There is even companies who specifically work to build your brand online and also your website for example, Eqal provide such services although could be an expensive route.
A personal recommendation from myself would be this company: DigitalPixels, the guy who runs the company is very good with customers and wont stop until the job is perfect and provides excellent after sales care ensuring you can use/run your website.
You will also want a web developer/designer that understands how search engines work, there are many who do not understand the best practices in order for your website to appear high for certain keywords and choosing someone with this knowledge and experience is imperative to your success as you will want the best practices applied to your own website. This is more commonly known as SEO or Search Engine Optimisation.
Forums
Forums are great for discussion around a brand and if you are able to be at least a little active on a forum built around your brand it could be a success. Having a forum allows your audience to communicate with others who enjoy your videos and also discuss things in more depth than YouTube and other social media websites allow. This is why forums will always have a place on the internet, they offer something Facebook, Twitter and Myspace etc cannot and that is longer discussion and a place where people who have the same interests can talk in more depth about the subject.
If you have a large following a forum could be the right decision, perhaps as an addon to your website as some of the people have done who are listed above.
Utilising Social Networking Sites
If you haven't already, get yourself a Twitter account, Facebook like/fan page and perhaps a Myspace profile and link to these from your YouTube channel. Gaining a following on social networking websites is important as it can bring new people to your growing audience and also reminds people who follow or like you of your newest updates when you update one of them. Keeping them coming back and interested is always important and applies to this as well as your videos.
Why a website?
Having a website built means your audience has another place to check out your videos but most importantly, a place to get to know you a little more and this is where a blog website would work perfectly although it does depend on the type of videos you do. For example, if you have a gaming channel, a gaming focused website would work well if you can offer something there other than what is already on your channel, perhaps articles or text walkthroughs, if you have a vlog channel, a more personal blog with regular updates on your life and any additional info etc will be best. Consider this when furthering your YouTube branding.
Of course, building a website can require learning coding, a lot of time and this is rarely good for most and that is why having a website built for you will allow you to carry on with your normal YouTube video schedule. Even though it could cost you a lot of money, the learning curve will be much less intensive for you and you will have plenty of spare time for other things and those things make it worth it.
Who has one who uses YouTube?
Here are a few examples of YouTubers who have their own websites so you can get an idea of what they do on them, if one would be good for you and perhaps even to inspire you:
Fred (Lucas Cruikshank)
Channel: www.youtube.com/user/Fred
Website: http://fredfigglehorn.com/
NigaHiga (Ryan Higa)
Channel: www.youtube.com/user/nigahiga
Website: http://www.higatv.com/
KevJumba
Channel:http://youtube.com/user/kevjumba
Website: http://www.kevjumba.com/
Smosh (Anthony Padilla & Ian Hecox)
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/smosh
Website: http://www.smosh.com/
MichellePhan
Channel: www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan
Website: http://www.michellephan.com/
QueenBeeuty (Kalel)
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/QueenBeeuty
Website: http://xoxokalel.com/
MysteryGuitarMan
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MysteryGuitarMan
Website: http://mysteryguitarman.com/
FreddieW (Freddie Wong & Brandon Laatsch)
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/freddiew
Website: http://facerocker.com/
Choosing a Web Developer/Designer
It is a good idea to shop around before deciding on who you will go with to build your website, you will want someone with a good understanding of XHTML, CSS, CMS systems and preferably PHP. There are hundreds of thousands of web design/development companies out there on the internet so choose the one who suits you and also your budget. There is even companies who specifically work to build your brand online and also your website for example, Eqal provide such services although could be an expensive route.
A personal recommendation from myself would be this company: DigitalPixels, the guy who runs the company is very good with customers and wont stop until the job is perfect and provides excellent after sales care ensuring you can use/run your website.
You will also want a web developer/designer that understands how search engines work, there are many who do not understand the best practices in order for your website to appear high for certain keywords and choosing someone with this knowledge and experience is imperative to your success as you will want the best practices applied to your own website. This is more commonly known as SEO or Search Engine Optimisation.
Forums
Forums are great for discussion around a brand and if you are able to be at least a little active on a forum built around your brand it could be a success. Having a forum allows your audience to communicate with others who enjoy your videos and also discuss things in more depth than YouTube and other social media websites allow. This is why forums will always have a place on the internet, they offer something Facebook, Twitter and Myspace etc cannot and that is longer discussion and a place where people who have the same interests can talk in more depth about the subject.
If you have a large following a forum could be the right decision, perhaps as an addon to your website as some of the people have done who are listed above.
Utilising Social Networking Sites
If you haven't already, get yourself a Twitter account, Facebook like/fan page and perhaps a Myspace profile and link to these from your YouTube channel. Gaining a following on social networking websites is important as it can bring new people to your growing audience and also reminds people who follow or like you of your newest updates when you update one of them. Keeping them coming back and interested is always important and applies to this as well as your videos.
I didnt even have the internet then lol and was uploading it through a bluetooth phone and dongle.