A Full Information to Making a Compelling Podcast Web site

Whereas podcast directories like Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts present simple methods to distribute your episodes, these platforms have their drawbacks in relation to your constructing, rising, and monetizing your podcast. That’s why making a podcast web site generally is a sensible transfer on your present. A web site can provide you lots of flexibility, direct contact along with your listeners, “proudly owning” your content material and model, and a lot extra upside we’ll assessment on this article.

Luckily, making a podcast web site doesn’t need to be troublesome. The truth is, there are many choices to swimsuit inexperienced persons or folks with out prior expertise. Moreover, constructing a web site on your podcast allows you to get found by new audiences (with website positioning and natural site visitors), achieve extra management over your content material, and work together straight along with your listeners.

On this publish, we’ll talk about why it’s best to think about creating a web site on your podcast. Then, we’ll discover 3 ways you are able to do this earlier than sharing our greatest practices and suggestions on your web site. Let’s get began!

Why You Ought to Contemplate Making a Web site for Your Podcast

Among the best causes to think about making a podcast web site is that you’ll personal your complete model and content material. Proper now, you would possibly use a platform like Apple or Spotify, and although it not often occurs, they’ll pull your content material out of the platform with out discover. Additionally, these platforms have a lot content material that the listener can simply be distracted in the direction of different episodes from different podcasters.

Greater than that, a devoted web site unlocks a myriad of customization choices, permitting you to curate your guests’ expertise: 

As seen within the above instance, you may add a “donate” button to get help out of your guests, get recorded voice messages or contact varieties straight out of your listeners, and extra.

In a listing, your itemizing is fairly primary, consisting of a title, paintings, and an inventory of episodes. Nevertheless, with a web site, you achieve extra flexibility, selecting the place you promote sponsors and the way you manage episodes. You possibly can add extra content material (and even totally different mediums like a weblog, movies, attachments and many others.) and embrace rather more information and sources.

Moreover, a podcast web site offers a single hub the place you may direct guests. As such, you may streamline your content material and make it simpler to advertise. 

Plus, you should utilize Search Engine Optimization (website positioning) strategies to get found by customers that don’t even find out about your podcast. Greater visibility within the search outcomes can drive extra natural site visitors to your web site, enabling you to develop your podcast a lot sooner.

Additionally, you may work together along with your listeners straight by encouraging them to go away feedback or voicemail. You possibly can reply to their suggestions and begin to domesticate extra private connections along with your viewers.

Additional Studying: The Prime 24 Podcast Statistics You Must Know in 2023

The Drawback With Generated Podcast Web sites

You would possibly think about using a easy, auto-generated podcast web site supplied by your podcast internet hosting supplier. These websites present handy platforms for storing and sharing your episodes. Nevertheless, there are particular downsides to this selection. You not often get adequate (if any) customization or design freedom. Many of those platforms gained’t supply a weblog, customized pages, or generally even a customized area, so there’s not sufficient upside there.

Create a Podcast Web site (3 Methods)

Now that the advantages of making your personal podcast web site, let’s take a look at 3 ways you are able to do this!

1. Create a Podcast Web site Utilizing Podcastpage

The Podcastpage.io platform may be the best choice for inexperienced persons or individuals who don’t wish to spend effort and time managing a web site. Podcastpage will allow you to get pleasure from each worlds – you’ll get a full web site, with limitless episodes, customized pages, a weblog, hundred of design choices, and many others., and nonetheless lots of automations and podcast-specific options you gained’t discover anyplace else.  Because it requires no information of coding or technical experience, utilizing Podcastpage is a straightforward solution to arrange a web site: 

It’s a hassle-free different to a few of the extra demanding choices. As an example, you may profit from seamless integration with YouTube feeds, enabling you to create an interesting web site on your YouTube channel and/or podcast. 

Should you’re strictly targeted on podcasting, Podcastpage syncs your present episodes and any new episode you publish sooner or later.

Higher but, Podcastpage is a feature-rich podcast web site builder. The platform offers high-quality audio gamers and a variety of pre-designed templates that can assist you create a gorgeous web site with minimal effort. 

2. Create a Podcast Web site With WordPress

WordPress might be the most well-liked web site platform on the market. Over 40% of the online is constructed on WordPress, nevertheless, meaning it’s not particularly tailor-made for podcast web sites. In consequence, you would possibly require many plugins, themes, and configurations to get the whole lot arrange appropriately. 

WordPress is an open-source Content material Administration System (CMS), that means its supply code is accessible freely, and you’ll principally use it or customise the software program to suit your actual wants. It may very well be a viable possibility should you’re on the lookout for a customized resolution constructed up from scratch.

This will add up in each money and time over time, when evaluating to different choices.

Constructing your podcast web site with WordPress has a steeper studying curve. Subsequently, it may not be ultimate should you’re a newbie or favor to dedicate your time to working in your podcast (not your web site). 

This method is mostly extra time-consuming. Plus, you’ll be totally accountable for your web site’s safety, website positioning, plugin set up and updates, upkeep, and discovering a internet hosting supplier:

You’ll additionally want to decide on a theme on your podcast web site. Dixie is a good possibility with a contemporary look, loads of format choices, and its personal audio participant:

Astra can also be a flexible theme that can be utilized for just about any objective. Lastly, the Tusant theme is one other wonderful selection because it helps simple listening:  

When choosing your theme, there are particular options to look out for:

• Loads of customization choices
• Trendy show layouts
• The performance to incorporate and play podcasts
• Compatibility with different podcasting platforms/instruments

General, a WordPress web site can grant you virtually full management over your content material. Nevertheless, creating one will be demanding and doubtlessly dearer. 

Additional Studying: Begin a WordPress Weblog from Scratch TODAY!

3. Create Your Personal Customized Podcast Web site

As an alternative of constructing a web site from a WordPress theme or a Podcastpage web site, you might go the customized route. Making a customized podcast web site implies that you’ll design the whole lot from scratch to suit your imaginative and prescient. 

With out substantial coding expertise, you’ll possible want the abilities of knowledgeable developer. Alternatively, you’ll must be taught loads to do that your self.

The creator of your web site, whether or not they’re a designer or a developer, could have full management over your format/content material. The upside is that it’s best to find yourself with a novel, interactive web site. The draw back is that everytime you wish to make important adjustments or updates to your web site, you’ll require your developer’s providers, which might change into expensive.

Moreover, help will be restricted should you encounter issues along with your web site. With different choices (like Podcastpage and WordPress), you’ll discover that many different folks use these platforms. You possibly can entry many free sources, fast troubleshooting suggestions, and helpful boards. 

6 Greatest Practices for Your Podcast Web site

Hopefully, you’ve now decided the best choice for creating your podcast web site. Let’s check out six greatest practices to optimize your web site!

1. Give attention to Pace

Gradual loading occasions will be irritating on your guests. The chance of a ‘bounce’ (somebody rapidly leaving your web site) will increase by 32% because the web page load time goes from one to 3 seconds. 

There are additionally penalties on your search rankings. Search engines like google and yahoo consider your web site’s bounce charge, amongst different elements like how a lot time folks spend in your web site. 

Search engines like google and yahoo then use these metrics to grasp whether or not your content material is efficacious for customers. Your web site will be ranked decrease on the outcomes pages if the numbers present low interactivity.

You possibly can conduct a fast web site velocity take a look at to measure your present efficiency. Pingdom is a superb instrument that gives immediate outcomes:

Since quick loading speeds create a greater Consumer Expertise (UX), there are additionally some easy adjustments you can also make to enhance your web site efficiency. For instance, you may scale back web page sizes and use smaller fonts and pictures. 

2. Use Search Engine Optimization (website positioning) Methods

Establishing your web site as a hub the place guests can study a specific matter is important. Constructing authority can sign to search engines like google and yahoo that your pages are useful for web customers. 

Listed here are some greatest practices to assist enhance your website positioning & search rankings:

• Publish solely your greatest materials.
• Use focused key phrases inside your content material.
• Embrace loads of high-quality hyperlinks.
• Use social proof like testimonials and opinions.

Google Key phrase Planner is a useful instrument that helps you establish related key phrases in order that what customers are looking for:

Since sure key phrases will be difficult to rank for as a consequence of their recognition, think about using long-tail key phrases. These are multi-word keyphrases, akin to “greatest low-cost internet hosting for podcast web sites”. Though long-tail key phrases have decrease search volumes, they may be simpler to rank for since they’re often extra particular. When you rank excessive on lots of these key phrases, you could get important quantities of site visitors.

To benefit from your key phrase alternatives, it’s necessary to incorporate as a lot written content material as potential. Subsequently, we advocate producing detailed present notes and podcast transcripts whereas creating weblog posts and using feedback sections.

Different methods to spice up website positioning in your podcast web site embrace utilizing related title tags and meta descriptions. We additionally advocate creating brief clickable URLs and ensuring that your internet design is responsive on smaller screens. 

Additional Studying: 11 website positioning Greatest Practices to Comply with in 2023

3. Go for Multi-Web page Performance

An excellent podcast web site usually has a number of pages, akin to separate pages for every of your episodes. Amongst website positioning perks, this setup lets you publish in-depth present notes, making your web site extra accessible and informative.

In fact, you’ll want a homepage on your web site, which is the place guests will often first land. We advocate that includes your latest or hottest episodes right here. 

For instance, once you arrive on the Full Mutuality podcast web site, you’re instantly greeted by a sticky audio participant showcasing its newest episode:

You may additionally think about including a weblog to your podcast web site the place you may adapt your podcast content material into written posts. This helps you enchantment to extra customers and offers an additional place to hyperlink to.

While you publish new episodes, creating a brand new weblog publish will be helpful so that you’ve a novel location for every episode. Right here, you would possibly embed your audio participant, add your present notes, and embrace your episode transcript:

An About web page can also be an incredible aspect to incorporate in your web site since you may describe your present and supply a quick backstory in regards to the hosts. By means of this private info, you may forge significant connections along with your listeners. 

Lastly, think about making a devoted web page the place listeners can get in contact or subscribe to your mailing checklist. A contact type could make guests really feel extra snug about reaching out to you. That being stated, attempt to ensure the shape is brief and straightforward to finish to spice up conversions.

4. Add an Audio Participant

Mounted or sticky audio gamers are common selections since listeners can play one in all your episodes whereas shopping different areas of your podcast web site. You may additionally embrace an embedded audio participant in order that listeners can play episodes out of your podcast internet hosting firm. 

It’s also possible to discover embedded audio gamers that combine with different platforms. As an example, The Man Cave Chronicles podcast contains a YouTube embed participant:

It’s necessary that your audio participant is customizable. On the very least, it ought to have the important options you want, akin to computerized timestamps, superior controls, obtain choices, and social sharing buttons.

For instance, Podcastpage’s audio participant is totally customizable, enabling you to vary all colours and controls, add timestamps, and make it ‘sticky’ throughout all pages:

Their audio participant has an optimized format that features your episode title and podcast paintings. You can provide your audio participant an interesting border or disguise it at particular occasions to not inconvenience your listeners. 

6. Prioritize Consumer Expertise (UX)

A well-executed podcast web site is accessible, simple to navigate, and informative. You must also intention to signpost necessary options in order that it’s apparent the way you need guests to behave in your pages. 

After they arrive on an episode web page, listeners ought to immediately know methods to obtain content material and share movies. In the meantime, it ought to at all times be clear how customers can contact you or be a part of your mailing checklist. 

To offer a clean, constant UX, think about selecting a visually interesting theme that matches the tone and really feel of your podcast. 

To optimize your UX, guests shouldn’t need to attempt laborious to search out what they want in your web site. With this in thoughts, think about inserting your subscribe hyperlinks someplace seen and accessible akin to your header or footer. You may additionally spotlight helpful info, akin to social icons, subscribe buttons, and listener opinions.

Additional Studying: The 25 Main Podcasting Instruments to Assist You Begin or Develop Your Podcast

Now that you understand how to create an incredible podcast web site, listed below are 3 ways to advertise your podcast!

1. Construct a Web site

A devoted podcast web site creates an area so as to add content material and develop a hub on your present. With methods like website positioning, you may simply entice new guests and enhance your model’s visibility. 

Plus, along with your web site sitting within the prime search engine outcomes, you may achieve extra credibility and construct an authoritative internet presence. 

We’ve already mentioned how one can arrange a devoted podcast web site. We advocate utilizing Podcastpage’s web site builder because it’s easy to make use of, making it appropriate for full inexperienced persons and professionals alike. As such, you may velocity up your workflow with pre-designed templates and get your podcast web site up and operating very quickly!

2. Use Social Media

Utilizing social media is a good way to domesticate stronger relationships along with your listeners. Plus, you make the most of social platforms to determine your model’s persona by way of humor, storytelling, and memes. 

Social media can also be helpful for participating along with your viewers and constructing group since you may work together with listeners straight:

Some nice methods to interact along with your viewers embrace asking questions, operating polls, and responding to feedback. Additionally, think about sharing wealthy media, together with soundbites, photos, and movies. 

Moreover, you may create posts to replace your listeners about upcoming episodes. We additionally advocate sticking to a constant posting schedule in order that listeners know when to anticipate new content material.

3. Associate With Different Creators

Growing mutually-beneficial relationships with different podcasters in your area of interest might help you entice new listeners who’re already engaged with comparable content material. 

For instance, once you’re on YouTube, you’re usually introduced with really helpful movies. These clips allow you to find new creators who can achieve subscribers by being featured on this place.

You’ll additionally see this really helpful function on platforms like Apple Podcasts:

When you’ve discovered different exhibits in your area of interest, you might start with a promo swap (you promote one other podcast, they usually promote yours) or change into a visitor on one other present. Alternatively, you would possibly favor to host a visitor in your podcast. Then, you may ask them to share your hyperlinks with their viewers or plug your web site on the finish of the episode. 

You possibly can seek for comparable exhibits utilizing particular key phrases to search out different creators inside your area of interest. It’s also possible to discover classes and tags on sure platforms to search out applicable collaborators. 

Should you contact hosts straight, think about crafting a transparent electronic mail to pitch your concept. You would possibly define what your podcast is about, who your target market is, and what you may supply the opposite podcaster.

Additional Studying: The 11 Greatest Digital and Social Media Advertising and marketing Podcasts to Take heed to in 2022

Conclusion

Podcast directories will be helpful within the early days of your present. Nevertheless, when you’ve constructed a following, it’s time to create a podcast web site. Whereas making a web site would possibly sound overwhelming, there are numerous choices to fit your abilities and expertise. Then, you may get pleasure from website positioning perks, extra management, and superior customization choices on your podcast.

To recap, listed below are 3 ways you may create a podcast web site:

1. Podcastpage: This web site builder is the perfect resolution for podcasters.
2. WordPress: Palms you full management over your content material. Nevertheless, it could contain plenty of upkeep and configuring extra instruments for performance.
3. Create a customized podcast web site that’s solely your personal: Nevertheless, this method requires a steep studying curve or the help of a developer. 

Do you could have any questions on making a podcast web site? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!

Writer Bio

Tom is the co-founder of Podcastpage.io, the main web site builder for podcasters and audio/video creators. When Tom isn’t busy coding, you’ll discover him serving to podcasters develop their exhibits!

Hero photograph by Hillary Black on Unsplash