Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years. It seems like nearly everyone has a started podcast today, from business owners and entertainers to hobbyists and professional athletes. But to create a successful business podcast, you’ll need more than a microphone, recording software, and other essential podcast equipment. You’ll also need to sort out where to host and promote your podcast.
Beyond publishing your podcast on popular media platforms like Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more, you should also build a website for your podcast. Here are three big reasons why!
- Provides a Dedicated Podcast Hosting Space
- Builds Your Podcast Brand
- Creates More Podcast Monetization Opportunities
Provides a Dedicated Podcast Hosting Space
Creating a website for your podcast can provide you with a convenient hosting space that gives you more control over your media files and can help you save money on hosting elsewhere. This can be valuable for businesses that want to start podcasting but don’t want to pay more for third-party hosting.
Having a podcast website also means you can better manage media files and archive episodes in one easy-to-navigate spot. This is especially great for sharing podcasts with evergreen content where listeners prefer to find and listen to topics that they’re interested in, rather than listening to episodes in chronological order.
Plus, with a website, there’s no need for listeners to scrub through streaming services to find the latest episode or wait for an RSS update to get word that you released a new podcast. All they need to do is head to your website and start listening to the next episode!
Builds Your Podcast Brand
There are a lot of good podcasts out there these days, so creating one that will hook new listeners right away needs the right platform to do so. That’s where a podcast website comes in! Podcast listeners today don’t just follow any podcast. They want to get to know the people or business behind it so that they can better understand the subjects being discussed.
With a website, you have the ability to tell your story more deeply without taking up space during an episode. Your website can provide new listeners with an idea of what to expect before they ever press play, and it can even help existing listeners get to know you better. An “About” page with descriptions of who you are and what your show is about is a good place to start, but there are other ways to make your podcast stand out.
Just like other forms of media, good podcasts have a strong brand identity. Everything from the aesthetic you choose for your web design to the voice you use in your webpage copy should reflect the kind of podcast you have and appeal to the kind of audience you’re trying to reach. With a website dedicated to better explaining your story, you make it easier for new listeners to learn about you and feel as though they truly know your podcast.
Creates More Podcast Monetization Opportunities
There are a number of ways you can monetize your podcast, but having a podcast website can open you up to a few more opportunities. One of the most common ways to make money from a podcast is through podcast ads and sponsorships. With podcast ads, you can have other businesses purchase ad space on your actual podcast, as well as space on your website through guest blog posts, guest podcasts, and even display ads.
Affiliate links are another way you can earn a profit from your podcast website. Studies show that 54% of podcast listeners are more likely to purchase a product from a brand advertised on a podcast they listen to. If you include affiliate links within the podcast episode descriptions on your website, you can capitalize on your sponsor’s success by getting a small payout every time a listener uses your link to make their purchase.
On top of that, through websites like Patreon, listeners can pay monthly membership fees to unlock exclusive content from your podcast. Or if you prefer, you could add a paid mailing list signup form to your podcast’s website where members can opt-in to receive extra content in their inbox.
And why not add a merch store? When listeners buy and use products with your show’s name or logo on them, it also works as free promotion for your podcast. Better yet, current listeners may be willing to purchase more than one item over time, especially if you put the effort toward creating new designs and offering more items than just a few t-shirts and stickers!
Need help getting your podcast off the ground? Hurrdat Media has the podcasting services you need! With our podcast hosting, production, and advertising help, you can launch a successful podcast!