Once you have finally launched your podcast, your work isn’t over. The next thing you need to do should be to start promoting your podcast online to everyone and anyone who might be interested in tuning in and listening to your new podcast.
Creating a podcast streaming website is a great way to drive traffic. This site is where your new and regular listeners alike can tune in to your new episodes, leave comments, and learn more about you and your show.
Now if you are thinking, “Putting a podcast on my website sounds like a lot of work,” don’t be discouraged. It is well worth the effort!
But, before you can build a following like the Serial podcast website, here are the ten essential elements for a podcast website.
1. A Host With Storage Space
When looking for podcast hosting sites, there are several elements you should consider. You want to find a host that offers enough storage space for all your podcasts. In general, one decent quality minute of audio will be under a single MB in size. Therefore, if you mix your show at 128kbps, 60 minutes of audio will be about 60 MB.
However, if you use iTunes or Adobe Audition to mix your spoken content, you might be able to go as low as 96 kbps without any loss in quality. Therefore, 10 minutes of audio at 96kbs will take up just 7MB of space.
How much storage space you will require will depend on your monthly episode output.
Some of the best podcast website hosting providers:
- Squarespace (beautiful templates and designs)
- Buzzsprout (easy to use and schedule podcasts)
- SoundCloud (free plan allows three hours of uploads a month)
2. Podcast Domains
A domain name is the web address of your podcast website. In order to create a podcast website, you should pick a domain name. Owning the domain name means it is yours, and until you stop paying for it, no one can take it away from you.
Pick a domain name that makes sense for your podcast. Take Cold, a popular podcast. Its domain name is “thecoldpodcast.com.” The name and domain name match up, making it easier for its listeners to find it online.
Another thing to consider is the podcast domain extension. Going back to our example, Cold Podcast website domain’s extension is “.com.” .COM, .ORG, .NET are some of the most popular domain extensions. However, it can be hard to find a good domain name in some of these more popular extensions.
Here are some alternate podcast domain extensions:
- .audio
- .community
- .digital
- .media
- .FM
- .IO
3. Use A Podcast Website Template
When deciding how to create your own podcast website, picking a podcast website design that showcases your podcast in a modern, creative way is the best method.
If you were to choose Wix as your website host, you can see that you can choose between different podcast website templates that fit your needs. With Wix, you can fully customize your website, and you can even create RSS feeds for podcasts. Wix’s website builder has some of the best podcast website templates available because of the flawless designs.
Some of the best podcast website designs will have a modern design, that is full of color and pictures. Here are a few podcast website examples that we really love:
4. Install And Configure WordPress
Next, you should install and configure WordPress.
- Once on WordPress’s dashboard, navigate to Settings > Writing.
- Next, locate the Podcasting section and click the set-up button to go to the Podcasting settings page.
- To set up your podcast channel, select a category, or add a new one.
- After you’ve chosen a category it will create a link to your podcast feed. Make sure to save this!
- Last, use the Podcast Settings to add in any descriptive text and images to help give the readers a better understanding of your website.
5. Podcast Plugins
Another thing to consider is Plug-ins. If you are using a podcast website WordPress hosting provider, it can be a great way to build a podcast website. Using a plugin like Powerpress is a great way to publish a show within your WordPress podcast website. It works together with the editor on WordPress to help you upload episodes.
6. Embed Podcast On Website
If you use a podcast recording website like Spreaker, Libsyn, or Soundcloud, you might be wondering how you can get the podcast on your website. A podcast embedded on a website will keep the podcast stored somewhere else, but allow you to play it on your site.
Many times, your website hosting platform will make it easy for you to embed your podcast on the website. You will upload the MP3 audio file directly either from a podcast player website or off your computer onto the dashboard, and then drag the element where you want it on your page and add any necessary details.
7. Set up RSS Feed For A Podcast
Setting up an RSS feed for a podcast is an essential step you must take to ensure your listens can subscribe to your content easily. Luckily, to create an RSS Feed for podcasts, you do not need to know how to code.
To learn how to make an RSS feed for a podcast, you should research on your particular platform. In general, to create an RSS feed, you will use XML to declare the channel, links to your channel, title of your feed, and more. There are many different options for RSS feed generators, and it doesn’t matter which one you use, as long as you are helping to get your feed out there so people can subscribe to your content. Using a podcast RSS feed generator can help make the process of uploading content easier.
8. Create Great Web Content
You will also have the role of blogger on your podcast hosting site. You will likely have to create fun, exciting content that helps to increase your ranking on SEO. By using written keywords, it can help you attract your target audience. Having a good website is an important thing you should consider when creating your podcast website.
The reason why having a podcast website is so important is because, unlike the podcast show itself, the pages of your website can be indexed by Google and other search engines. The higher you rank, the more likely you will entice new readers to listen to your episodes.
9. Pay Attention To SEO
Once you have picked a host, domain, and a template, you should take the time to create a podcast website that is well-designed and easy to navigate. Including those elements play a key role in boosting your SEO because search engine spiders are able to rank your site higher if you have a site map.
The different sitemaps you could include are:
- Complete categorical sitemap: One of the most popular options because it lets you move from category to category easily
- Indexed sitemap: A listing of your pages in an alphabetical directory
- Restricted Categorical: Lists links in special categories
10. Diversify!
If you have a strong following, you might want to consider diversifying, and creating an eCommerce store to sell merchandise, eBooks, or any other products you might be able to sell that are related to your podcast. If you are thinking to yourself, “I don’t know how to build my online store podcast!” then you will find that it is easier than you might think. Many hosts will allow you to add this feature, and it can help drive traffic to your website.
By incorporating these essential elements, you can learn how to set up a podcast website in no time.
Know about the best wordpress web hosting by clicking here.
