Do YouTubers need a website? When it's worth it

Not to start a channel. If you only have a few videos, I'd spend the time on your next one. A simple site starts to make sense when you need a home for your work, a business contact page, or written guides to go with your videos.

I've been blogging for over 15 years. I run SmartWP and drawne.com, and I make travel and photography videos on YouTube, so I've been on both sides of this.

In this post, I'll show you when a website is worth it and which kind I'd pick. Let's get into it.

When don't you need a website yet?

Skip it for now if:

• You're still figuring out your channel. You might not want to spend time on a name and design you're still changing.
• Nobody's asking. No sponsor emails, no "where can I get that" comments, and no one searching your name.
• You'd rather spend the weekend filming. That's a fair call early on.

For now, YouTube covers the basics. You can use your channel profile links. Clickable external links in long-form descriptions need advanced features, and URLs in Shorts descriptions aren't clickable (YouTube's link rules). A free link page may be enough if you just need somewhere to collect your links.

When does a YouTuber need a website?

Here's when I think it starts making sense.

You want to own your audience

Your channel lives on YouTube's terms. Policies change, and channels get hacked or get strikes. If you rely only on YouTube and it stops reaching viewers, you may have no separate way to contact them.

A domain you register can give you a steadier address than a platform subdomain. You can usually point it at a different host, as long as you keep the registration active and control the domain and DNS settings (ICANN's domain FAQ covers transfers).

You want an email list

Your subscribers aren't a list you can contact. YouTube's recent subscriber list only includes public subscriptions. You can choose a timeframe in the expanded list, but it isn't an email list.

Your website is a natural place for an email signup form. You'll still use a newsletter tool for the list itself, but people need somewhere to land.

Sponsors are checking you out

A brand may look you up before getting in touch. I'd make an About page and a business email easy to find. That also gives them a way to reach you that isn't buried in comments or DMs.

You want people to find you on Google

Your YouTube videos can already appear in Google. A written post gives people another way to find and use the same information, especially if they'd rather read.

Google doesn't guarantee it will show any page, so I wouldn't count on a post bringing a new audience. For what moves views on YouTube itself, see my post on how to get more views on YouTube.

You sell things

Merch, presets, courses, or a list of the gear you use. A site gives you room to explain them and keep them up to date, which a description box doesn't.

What should you put on a YouTuber's website?

Keep it small. You can put your introduction, a few videos, useful links, and a business email on one page. Split them into separate pages when there's enough to say. These are the five I'd end up with:

1. Home: who you are in one line, your latest videos, and a way to subscribe.
2. About: what your channel covers, why you make it, and a photo. It gives a potential sponsor somewhere to learn about you.
3. Links: the same links as your bio, on your own domain. Then point your bio link at this page.
4. Posts for your videos: give readers a written version with the video alongside it.
5. Contact: a business email for sponsors and press, and a media kit if you have one.

Add an email signup if you have a list, and a shop page if you sell things.

Writing a post for each video takes time, so start with a few useful ones if that's more realistic. If you want to do it yourself, here's my guide on how to turn a YouTube video into a blog post.

Linktree vs WordPress vs Squarespace vs a channel blog

These are the main options. Prices come from each company's site, last checked November 7, 2026. They change often, so check before you sign up.

Linktree is a fine place to start. It gives you a simple web page for your links and can collect email signups, including on its Free plan. I'd choose a separate blog if I wanted full articles and more control over the site. A linktr.ee address still uses Linktree's domain.

WordPress is what I run SmartWP on, so I'm a fan. Self-hosted WordPress gives you lots of choice over themes, plugins, and stores. You still need a plan for hosting, maintenance, and writing. A managed host can handle some of the updates, backups, and security for you.

Squarespace and Wix offer templates, blogs, and store tools. Squarespace Basic is $25 if you pay monthly. Wix's own guide lists its Light plan at $17 a month on a yearly plan, but Wix prices vary by country, so check at checkout. Both also have AI tools that can help draft posts (Squarespace, Wix), so you don't have to start every article from scratch. You'll still need to check the text.

A channel blog on VideoToBlog fits if you want written versions of your videos on a hosted blog. I built it. You can use a VideoToBlog subdomain or connect your own domain. Automatic posts are optional, need an available transcript, and use your plan's allowance. Shorts and long live streams are skipped by default, and you can review drafts before they go live.

It isn't a store or a general website builder, and it doesn't collect newsletter signups for you. Check the plans and limits before choosing it.

What I'd do at each stage

It depends on where your channel is:

• Just starting: use YouTube's channel links and a free link page. Put your energy into the videos.
• Getting sponsor emails or "where can I find you" questions: get a domain with your name and a simple site with home, about, links, and contact.
• Want people to find you through Google: start with useful videos that answer a question people search for. Turn those into posts, written yourself or with a tool.
• Selling a lot of products: Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress with a store, since that's what they're built for.

Whichever you pick, I'd consider registering a domain early. You can usually keep the address when you switch tools, as long as you renew it and keep access to the registration.

FAQs about YouTuber websites

Can I just use Linktree instead of a website?

Yes, if a simple page of links is what you need. Linktree can collect email signups too. I'd choose a separate site when I wanted more room for an About page, articles, and my own design.

How much does a website for a YouTube channel cost?

A simple link page or a branded builder site can be free. Paid plans depend on the builder and billing term (see the table above). Budget for domain registration and renewals too.

Will a website get my videos more views?

A site gives people another way to read or watch. It isn't a promise of more search traffic or video views.

The short version

You don't need a website to start a channel. When you need more than a link page, start with a simple site on a domain you control. You can move that address to another host later, but check whether you can export your pages, posts, and email list too.