A Complete Guide to Creating a Great Podcast Website

While podcast directories like Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts provide easy ways to distribute your episodes, these platforms have their drawbacks when it comes to your building, growing, and monetizing your podcast. That’s why creating a podcast website can be a smart move for your show. A website can give you a lot of flexibility, direct contact with your listeners, “owning” your content and brand, and so much more upside we’ll review in this article.

Fortunately, creating a podcast website doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, there are plenty of options to suit beginners or people without prior experience. Furthermore, building a website for your podcast enables you to get discovered by new audiences (with SEO and organic traffic), gain more control over your content, and interact directly with your listeners.

In this post, we’ll discuss why you should consider creating a website for your podcast. Then, we’ll explore three ways you can do this before sharing our best practices and tips for your site. Let’s get started!

Why You Should Consider Creating a Website for Your Podcast

One of the best reasons to consider creating a podcast website is that you will own your entire brand and content. Right now, you might use a platform like Apple or Spotify, and even though it rarely happens, they can pull your content out of the platform without notice. Also, those platforms have so much content that the listener can easily be distracted towards other episodes from other podcasters.

More than that, a dedicated website unlocks a myriad of customization options, allowing you to curate your visitors’ experience: 

As seen in the above example, you can add a “donate” button to get support from your visitors, get recorded voice messages or contact forms directly from your listeners, and more.

In a directory, your listing is pretty basic, consisting of a title, artwork, and a list of episodes. However, with a website, you gain more flexibility, choosing where you promote sponsors and how you organize episodes. You can add more content (or even different mediums like a blog, videos, attachments etc.) and include much more info and resources.

Additionally, a podcast website provides a single hub where you can direct visitors. As such, you can streamline your content and make it easier to promote. 

Plus, you can use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to get discovered by users that don’t even know about your podcast. Higher visibility in the search results can drive more organic traffic to your website, enabling you to grow your podcast much faster.

Also, you can interact with your listeners directly by encouraging them to leave comments or voicemail. You can respond to their feedback and start to cultivate more personal connections with your audience.

Further Reading: The Top 24 Podcast Statistics You Need to Know in 2024

The Problem With Generated Podcast Websites

You might consider using a simple, auto-generated podcast website offered by your podcast hosting provider. These sites provide convenient platforms for storing and sharing your episodes. However, there are certain downsides to this option. You rarely get sufficient (if any) customization or design freedom. Many of these platforms won’t offer a blog, custom pages, or sometimes even a custom domain, so there’s not enough upside there.

How to Create a Podcast Website (3 Ways)

Now that you know the benefits of creating your own podcast website, let’s look at three ways you can do this!

1. Create a Podcast Website Using Podcastpage

The Podcastpage.io platform might be the best option for beginners or people who don’t want to spend time and effort managing a website. Podcastpage will let you enjoy both worlds – you’ll get a full website, with unlimited episodes, custom pages, a blog, hundred of design options, etc., and still a lot of automations and podcast-specific features you won’t find anywhere else.  Since it requires no knowledge of coding or technical expertise, using Podcastpage is an easy way to set up a site: 

It’s a hassle-free alternative to some of the more demanding options. For instance, you can benefit from seamless integration with YouTube feeds, enabling you to create an engaging website for your YouTube channel and/or podcast. 

If you’re strictly focused on podcasting, Podcastpage syncs your existing episodes and any new episode you publish in the future.

Better yet, Podcastpage is a feature-rich podcast website builder. The platform provides high-quality audio players and a wide range of pre-designed templates to help you create a beautiful site with minimal effort. 

2. Create a Podcast Website With WordPress

WordPress is probably the most popular website platform out there. Over 40% of the web is built on WordPress, however, that means it’s not specifically tailored for podcast websites. As a result, you might require many plugins, themes, and configurations to get everything set up correctly. 

WordPress is an open-source Content Management System (CMS), meaning its source code is available freely, and you can basically use it or customize the software to fit your exact needs. It could be a viable option if you’re looking for a custom solution built up from scratch.

This may add up in both time and money over time, when comparing to other options.

Building your podcast website with WordPress has a steeper learning curve. Therefore, it might not be ideal if you’re a beginner or prefer to dedicate your time to working on your podcast (not your site). 

This approach is generally more time-consuming. Plus, you’ll be fully responsible for your site’s security, SEO, plugin installation and updates, maintenance, and finding a hosting provider:

You’ll also need to choose a theme for your podcast website. Dixie is a great option with a modern look, plenty of layout options, and its own audio player:

Astra is also a versatile theme that can be used for pretty much any purpose. Lastly, the Tusant theme is another excellent choice since it supports easy listening:  

When selecting your theme, there are certain features to look out for:

• Plenty of customization options
• Stylish display layouts
• The functionality to include and play podcasts
• Compatibility with other podcasting platforms/tools

Overall, a WordPress website can grant you almost complete control over your content. However, creating one can be demanding and potentially more expensive. 

Further Reading: How to Start a WordPress Blog from Scratch TODAY!

3. Create Your Own Custom Podcast Website

Instead of building a website from a WordPress theme or a Podcastpage website, you could go the custom route. Creating a custom podcast site means that you’ll design everything from scratch to fit your vision. 

Without substantial coding experience, you’ll likely need the skills of a professional developer. Alternatively, you’ll need to learn a lot to do this yourself.

The creator of your site, whether they’re a designer or a developer, will have complete control over your layout/content. The upside is that you should end up with a unique, interactive website. The downside is that whenever you want to make significant changes or updates to your site, you’ll require your developer’s services, which can become costly.

Additionally, support can be limited if you encounter problems with your website. With other options (like Podcastpage and WordPress), you’ll find that many other people use these platforms. You can access many free resources, quick troubleshooting tips, and useful forums. 

6 Best Practices for Your Podcast Website

Hopefully, you’ve now determined the best option for creating your podcast website. Let’s take a look at six best practices to optimize your site!

1. Focus on Speed

Slow loading times can be frustrating for your visitors. The probability of a ‘bounce’ (someone quickly leaving your site) increases by 32% as the page load time goes from one to three seconds. 

There are also consequences for your search rankings. Search engines evaluate your website’s bounce rate, among other factors like how much time people spend on your site. 

Search engines then use these metrics to understand whether your content is valuable for users. Your website can be ranked lower on the results pages if the numbers show low interactivity.

You can conduct a quick website speed test to measure your current performance. Pingdom is an excellent tool that provides instant results:

Since fast loading speeds create a better User Experience (UX), there are also some simple changes you can make to improve your website performance. For example, you can reduce page sizes and use smaller fonts and images. 

2. Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques

Establishing your website as a hub where visitors can learn about a particular topic is essential. Building authority can signal to search engines that your pages are helpful for internet users. 

Here are some best practices to help boost your SEO & search rankings:

• Publish only your best material.
• Use targeted keywords within your content.
• Include plenty of high-quality links.
• Use social proof like testimonials and reviews.

Google Keyword Planner is a handy tool that helps you identify relevant keywords so that you know what users are searching for:

Since certain keywords can be challenging to rank for due to their popularity, consider using long-tail keywords. These are multi-word keyphrases, such as “best cheap hosting for podcast websites”. Although long-tail keywords have lower search volumes, they might be easier to rank for since they’re usually more specific. Once you rank high on a lot of those keywords, you may get significant amounts of traffic.

To take advantage of your keyword opportunities, it’s important to include as much written content as possible. Therefore, we recommend producing detailed show notes and podcast transcripts while creating blog posts and utilizing comments sections.

Other ways to boost SEO on your podcast website include using relevant title tags and meta descriptions. We also recommend creating short clickable URLs and making sure that your web design is responsive on smaller screens. 

Further Reading: 11 SEO Best Practices to Follow in 2024

3. Opt for Multi-Page Functionality

A great podcast website typically has multiple pages, such as separate pages for each of your episodes. Among SEO perks, this setup allows you to publish in-depth show notes, making your site more accessible and informative.

Of course, you’ll need a homepage for your site, which is where visitors will usually first land. We recommend featuring your newest or most popular episodes here. 

For example, when you arrive at the Full Mutuality podcast website, you’re immediately greeted by a sticky audio player showcasing its latest episode:

You might also consider adding a blog to your podcast website where you can adapt your podcast content into written posts. This helps you appeal to more users and provides an extra place to link to.

When you publish new episodes, creating a new blog post can be useful so that you have a unique location for each episode. Here, you might embed your audio player, add your show notes, and include your episode transcript:

An About page is also a great element to include on your site since you can describe your show and provide a brief backstory about the hosts. Through this personal information, you can forge meaningful connections with your listeners. 

Lastly, consider creating a dedicated page where listeners can get in touch or subscribe to your mailing list. A contact form can make visitors feel more comfortable about reaching out to you. That being said, try to make sure the form is short and easy to complete to boost conversions.

4. Add an Audio Player

Fixed or sticky audio players are popular choices since listeners can play one of your episodes while browsing other areas of your podcast website. You might also include an embedded audio player so that listeners can play episodes from your podcast hosting company. 

You can also find embedded audio players that integrate with other platforms. For instance, The Man Cave Chronicles podcast features a YouTube embed player:

It’s important that your audio player is customizable. At the very least, it should have the essential features you need, such as automatic timestamps, advanced controls, download options, and social sharing buttons.

For example, Podcastpage’s audio player is fully customizable, enabling you to change all colors and controls, add timestamps, and make it ‘sticky’ across all pages:

Their audio player has an optimized layout that includes your episode title and podcast artwork. You can give your audio player an appealing border or hide it at specific times to not inconvenience your listeners. 

6. Prioritize User Experience (UX)

A well-executed podcast website is accessible, easy to navigate, and informative. You should also aim to signpost important features so that it’s obvious how you want visitors to behave on your pages. 

When they arrive on an episode page, listeners should instantly know how to download content and share videos. Meanwhile, it should always be clear how users can contact you or join your mailing list. 

To provide a smooth, consistent UX, consider choosing a visually appealing theme that matches the tone and feel of your podcast. 

To optimize your UX, visitors shouldn’t have to try hard to find what they need on your site. With this in mind, consider placing your subscribe links somewhere visible and accessible such as your header or footer. You might also highlight useful information, such as social icons, subscribe buttons, and listener reviews.

Further Reading: The 25 Leading Podcasting Tools to Help You Start or Grow Your Podcast

How to Promote Your Podcast Website (3 Tips)

Now that you know how to create a great podcast website, here are three ways to promote your podcast!

1. Build a Website

A dedicated podcast website creates a space to add content and develop a hub for your show. With strategies like SEO, you can easily attract new visitors and boost your brand’s visibility. 

Plus, with your site sitting in the top search engine results, you can gain more credibility and build an authoritative web presence. 

We’ve already discussed how you can set up a dedicated podcast site. We recommend using Podcastpage’s website builder since it’s simple to use, making it suitable for complete beginners and professionals alike. As such, you can speed up your workflow with pre-designed templates and get your podcast site up and running in no time!

2. Use Social Media

Using social media is a great way to cultivate stronger relationships with your listeners. Plus, you utilize social platforms to establish your brand’s personality through humor, storytelling, and memes. 

Social media is also useful for engaging with your audience and building community since you can interact with listeners directly:

Some great ways to engage with your audience include asking questions, running polls, and responding to comments. Also, consider sharing rich media, including soundbites, images, and videos. 

Additionally, you can create posts to update your listeners about upcoming episodes. We also recommend sticking to a consistent posting schedule so that listeners know when to expect new content.

Further Reading: 19 Best Podcast Tips for Launching and Growing Your Show

3. Partner With Other Creators

Developing mutually-beneficial relationships with other podcasters in your niche can help you attract new listeners who are already engaged with similar content. 

For example, when you’re on YouTube, you’re typically presented with recommended videos. These clips enable you to discover new creators who can gain subscribers by being featured in this position.

You’ll also see this recommended feature on platforms like Apple Podcasts:

Once you’ve found other shows in your niche, you could begin with a promo swap (you promote another podcast, and they advertise yours) or become a guest on another show. Alternatively, you might prefer to host a guest on your podcast. Then, you can ask them to share your links with their audience or plug your website at the end of the episode. 

You can search for similar shows using specific keywords to find other creators within your niche. You can also explore categories and tags on certain platforms to find appropriate collaborators. 

If you contact hosts directly, consider crafting a clear email to pitch your idea. You might outline what your podcast is about, who your target audience is, and what you can offer the other podcaster.

Further Reading: The 11 Best Digital and Social Media Marketing Podcasts to Listen to in 2024

Conclusion

Podcast directories can be useful in the early days of your show. However, once you’ve built a following, it’s time to create a podcast site. While making a website might sound overwhelming, there are many options to suit your skills and experience. Then, you can enjoy SEO perks, more control, and advanced customization options for your podcast.

To recap, here are three ways you can create a podcast website:

1. Podcastpage: This website builder is the ideal solution for podcasters.
2. WordPress: Hands you complete control over your content. However, it can involve lots of maintenance and configuring additional tools for functionality.
3. Create a custom podcast website that is entirely your own: However, this approach requires a steep learning curve or the assistance of a developer. 

Do you have any questions about creating a podcast website? Let us know in the comments section below!

Author Bio

Tom is the co-founder of Podcastpage.io, the leading website builder for podcasters and audio/video creators. When Tom isn’t busy coding, you’ll find him helping podcasters grow their shows!

Hero photo by Hillary Black on Unsplash