How to create a YouTube channel? A complete guide

If you still don’t have a YouTube account for your business or if you are not sure how to create a YouTube channel, now is not too late to get started. Numbers don’t lie: YouTube’s growth is unrivaled when it comes to traffic, revenue, and a rabid user base. They just can’t get enough video content for any brand’s target audience or budget. 

The content varies from bite-sized commercials to attract customers to how-tos as well as tutorials. That said, you have to figure out how to create a YouTube account if you want to use the platform to your advantage. 

If you are a newbie to YouTube, don’t worry, the process is straightforward, creating your channel only requires just a few of your minutes. 

This article will show you how you can create a YouTube channel. 

How to create a YouTube Channel? 

Creating a well-managed YouTube channel with consistent content can help your businesses or your brand grow better, however doing it right is equally important, as well. 

1. First, you have to Sign in to your Google account. 

To watch, share, create, and to be able to comment on YouTube content, you will have to have a Google account. Visit YouTube.com, then click on “Sign In” in the upper right. From there, you will be redirected to a Google sign-in page.  

If you have a Google account, you will be required to Sign in.  

If you have multiple Google accounts, make sure you select the one you want to be associated with the YouTube channel. 

If somehow you do not have a Google account, no sweat, click on “Create Account”, then follow the prompts to register for one. 

2. Now, you have to create a new YouTube channel using your Google account. 

After you have set up and signed in to your Google account, it is time to create a channel. Click on your user icon, this can be found in the upper right. This represents both your Google account and your YouTube account. You will be able to see a drop-down menu, where you have to click on “Settings.” 

Then, you’ll be taken to your account overview. Click on “Create a new channel”. This can be found under “Your channel.” 

The first step you have to do is to create a Brand Account. It can be whatever name you want and doesn’t have to be the same name that you used to create your Google account. However, it is suggested that the name you select reflects the brand the YouTube Channel will represent. 

After you enter the Brand Account name, you might be asked to verify the account either by a text message or a voice call. If it happens, enter the code you receive from the option you select. 

After you’ve verified your Brand Account, you will be taken to the dashboard for your channel. Now, let’s begin customizing it. 

3. You have to Navigate to the Customize Channel page. 

You have to start with the fundamental details about your channel. In the channel dashboard, click on “Customize channel.” 

From there, you will be redirected to the channel customization page. 

You will be able to notice three tabs: “Layout,” “Branding,” & “Basic info.” These three tabs will help in optimizing your channel for viewers. 

4. Now, you have to Add Basic Info to your channel for discoverability. 

Begin by clicking on “Basic info.” 

This is where you will enter some basic information regarding your channel, for example, the language your videos are in, along with a description that will help people discover your channel when they enter particular search terms that describe the videos they’re searching for. These keywords can include what your channel is about, the problems it can help solve. Or it can describe the people and products featured, your industry, and much more. 

You will also be able to add links to websites you wish to share with your viewers, maybe your socials, or a blog you run. These links you add will be displayed over your banner image. 

5. You can Upload branding elements to your channel. 

On top of the descriptive details, there’s another element of customization for a new YouTube channel: Visuals. 

Under “Branding”, you will be able to add: 

Your Profile Picture 

Among the channel art is your profile photo. This is how YouTube users identify the creator of a video when browsing particular video content. You will be able to see this image appear beneath YouTube videos on the play page. YouTube will recommend using a picture with dimensions of at least 98 x 98 pixels. 

A Banner Image 

The banner image is a large banner that is displayed at the top of the channel page. This is a big opportunity to convey your brand to the viewers. YouTube usually will recommend using an image that’s at least 2048 x 1152 pixels. 

A Video Watermark

The video watermark is displayed at the bottom right of every video posted by you. You may want to choose a logo that best represents your channel/brand, it should be sized at 150 x 150 pixels. 

6. You can Customize your more advanced layout options. 

Click on “Layout”. 

Here, you will be able to specify certain details regarding how you want your content presented on your channel’s page. You will have the option to designate a video spotlight, you can also organize your channel page with featured sections. 

7. You can Add videos and optimize them for search. 

To upload your first video to YouTube, click on “Create” in the top-right, then follow as prompted. 

Optimizing your channel for discoverability is just the tip of the iceberg. After you start adding videos, you will want to optimize them for search, which in turn would prove helpful for users discovering your video. 

However, this goes beyond giving your videos accurate, clear, and concise titles, though that’s important. We have also provided you with some of the most significant things to optimize on YouTube.  

A Title 

When anyone searches for videos, one of the first things that the eyes are drawn to is the title. That is what often determines whether or not the viewer will click to watch the video. So, the title should not only be compelling but should also be clear and concise. 

A Description 

This should be limited to 1,000 characters. Remember the viewer came here to watch a video, not to read a lot of text. Plus, YouTube only displays the first two or three lines of text, which rounds to about 100 characters.  So, try to fit the start of the description with the most important information. 

The Tags 

Using tags is not just to let viewers know what your video is about. They inform YouTube, too, as it uses tags “to understand the content and context of your video,” That way, YouTube can associate your video with similar videos, which will broaden your content’s reach. However, you have to approach with caution, just as with your title, don’t use misleading tags because they might get you more views. Google may penalize you for that. 

Adding a Category 

Selecting a category is yet another way to group your video with similar content on YouTube. YouTube’s Creator Academy suggests that marketers “think about what is working well for each category” you should be considering by answering questions like: 

Who are the top creators within this category? What are they known for? What are they doing well? 

Are there any patterns between the audiences of similar channels within a specific category? 

Do the videos within a similar category have share qualities, for example, production value, length, or even the format? 

Voila, you have officially created a YouTube channel, on top of that you now also know how to optimize its content for discoverability.  

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