Starting a YouTube Channel

YouTube is a video platform that can generate a lot of traffic for your store through longer videos or shorter "Shorts".

About YouTube

YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine, where users discover tutorials, reviews, and inspiration through video. You can tap into both YouTube search and suggested-video algorithms to drive traffic to your store.

Creating your YouTube Channel

It's important to set up a Brand Account for your store rather than using a personal Google profile. This lets you manage permissions (so you can later add teammates) and keeps all your videos under one channel.

Get started here: https://www.youtube.com/create_channel

Once your channel exists, link your store URL in the channel’s “About” section so viewers can click through right from your profile.

Setup Your Channel

First impressions matter. Upload a clear logo or store thumbnail as your profile image, and design a simple banner that reflects your niche and posting schedule (e.g. "New videos every Tuesday").

Write a concise channel description (100–150 characters) that explains what viewers will get and includes your top keywords. Add your store link and any other social-media handles so subscribers can find you everywhere.

Add Playlists

Playlists are categories for your videos and help with the algorithm.

As an example, if you sell kitchen gadgets, create playlists titled “Weeknight Dinner Hacks,” “Holiday Gift Ideas,” and “Quick Recipe Demos.”

This will help viewers to continue watching more of your content and also signals to YouTube's algorithm your channel’s focus.

Create Videos

If you are recording videos yourself, aim for clear, well-lit footage (1080p minimum) and open with a quick hook ("In 60 seconds, I’ll show you how…").

Design custom thumbnails with readable text overlays to boost click-through rates from search. In your video description, spend the first lines summarizing the content, include 3–5 targeted keywords, and add a direct call-to-action linking to your store.

End each video with an on-screen prompt to “Like, Comment, and Subscribe,” and consider using end-screen elements to link to other videos or your store.

Alternative Video Creation

If you don't want to be on camera you can also record videos with just your voice. This works well for screencasts, commenting on other videos, product demos etc.

You can also look into creating videos with the help of AI. New technologies are emerging that will speak your text in a realistic voice, and even create an entire video for you.

Creating YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts are vertical, bite-sized videos (up to 60 seconds) designed for quick discovery and high engagement.

Because Shorts appear in a dedicated carousel and are served to viewers based on interests rather than subscriptions, they can quickly give you a new audience with minimal effort.

Start by identifying one quick tip, product demo, or behind-the-scenes moment you can capture in less than a minute. Film vertically on your phone, keep your branding visible (logo or consistent backdrop), and use captions or on-screen text to reinforce your message for viewers watching without sound.

In the descriptions, include a concise call-to-action and a link to the relevant store page.

Post Shorts regularly - aim for 3–5 per week - and monitor their view counts, watch time, and click-throughs in YouTube Analytics.

When a particular Short works well, consider adapting it into a longer-form video or creating follow-up Shorts on related topics.

Build Your Audience

Your channel growth comes from both organic discovery and active outreach. Encourage your subscribers by replying to every comment.

Collaborate with complementary channels where you can. Always remind viewers in-video and in your community tab to click the bell icon so they don’t miss new uploads.

Post your videos on your other social profiles and link to your channel from your store.

Create articles in your store that include your videos as embeds or with direct links.

Be Consistent

YouTube rewards channels that upload regularly. Choose a realistic schedule such as once a week or twice a month. Stick to your schedule no matter what.

Consistent releases train both your audience and YouTube's algorithm to expect and promote your content.

Monitor Your Analytics

YouTube Analytics reveals which videos hold attention (audience retention), how viewers find you (traffic sources), and which thumbnails or topics drive the most clicks (CTR).

Focus on improving the metrics that lag. If retention drops at 30 seconds, tighten your intros. If CTR is low, redesign your thumbnails.

Use these insights to refine your content plan, double down on your best-performing video types, and steadily grow views that funnel to your store.