If you find yourself on YouTube on a frequent basis – and chances are, if you use the internet regularly, you do – you’ve probably noticed that a lot of businesses have their own specially branded channel. Companies of all sizes seem to be doing this, from major names like Starbucks and Walmart to small and localized shops. If you’re wondering if it’s a good idea for your business, here are some key benefits of building a YouTube branded channel.

The first benefit is the pure popularity of YouTube. Since its inception in 2005, it has become synonymous with online video, and millions of users are on it every day, browsing through an incredibly diverse range of different videos and channels. Building and promoting a channel for your business will do wonders for spreading awareness of your brand, especially if you come up with cool, unique and creative concepts for videos to which it can play host.

That brings us to the next benefit: the potential of online video. This is a chance for you to get creative with your brand and film something that’ll really help you stand out amongst your competitors. With the web, you have much more control over the content, duration and production of the video, and as soon as it’s fully edited and ready, it can be easily uploaded to your channel and available for the entire web to view.

Another advantage is the overall opportunity for brand promotion. You can set up your channel to reflect the colours and design of your brand, and can have each video end with a consistent message containing common and essential features such as your logo, website and positioning line. You can also place a visible link to your YouTube channel on your website, giving visitors a chance to check out your productions, and easily embed your videos on any appropriate pages.

Google has instructions on how to make a YouTube branded channel; check them out here and get cracking on one of the best tools in online marketing today!