Creating a podcast can be an incredibly rewarding venture allowing you to share your voice with a global audience. However, simply having audio content is not enough – you need amplification to stand out and truly build an audience over time.
This is where leveraging a website unlocks tremendous potential for any podcast.
In this comprehensive guide backed by over 5 years of podcast growth experience, we’ll cover:
- Key benefits well-developed websites provide
- Step-by-step process for building your own
- In-depth reviews of the 9 best podcast website builders
- Tactics for driving traffic and listeners
- FAQs from many new podcasters
Let‘s start with why websites are so invaluable.
Why Websites Are Essential for Podcast Growth
In 2022, there are over 2 million active podcasts but most languish in obscurity unable reach and impact many listeners.
However, having your own website alongside being listed ondirectories like Apple Podcasts [1] is shown to skyrocket growth.
Benefits include:
Discoverability for New Listeners
Podcast websites optimized for SEO have 562% more success being discovered by new fans searching Google for related topics. [2]
For example, the true crime podcast Crime Junkie [3] drives over 40% of its listeners to download episodes through organic searches to their site.
Building an Email List
Collecting fan emails on your owned website instead of just within podcast apps allows you to contact them anytime. Software like MailerLite [4] connects to your site for capture forms.
Podcasters with email lists of over 1,000 fans see up to 8X more downloads as they notify followers immediately about new episodes.
Unlocking Sponsorship Revenue
Displaying advertisements on websites alongside episodes provides 5X the impressions and dramatically increases click-through rates by 17% – 44% [5].
Top podcasters easily earn over $50,000 per year through website sponsorships. [6]
As you can see, not investing in a podcast website leaves tons of potential fans, email subscribers and sponsorship earnings on the table.
Thankfully, you don‘t need any technical skills to build an effective hub for your show…
Step-By-Step: How to Quickly Build Your Podcast Website
Modern website builders make establishing your podcast’s online home extremely straightforward.
Here is an exact walkthrough from signing up to completion:
1. Select your preferred podcast website builder from the list further below. Sign up for an account, with many offering free plans to start.
2. Once logged in, browse the templates and theme options available. Look for modern, mobile-friendly designs that match your show‘s vibe.
3. Use the customization settings to tweak colors, fonts, positioning of elements to align with your branding. Change backgrounds, upload logos and fine-tune layouts.
4. Connect your podcast RSS feed link to automatically import episodes details as soon as they are published. This keeps your site updated without any manual work.
5. Embed media players so fans can stream or download episodes without leaving your website. Popular options like Fusebox are often built-in.
6. Expand your site by adding more pages – About, Contact, Guest Info etc. Experiment with different calls-to-action to encourage conversions.
7. Display your latest social media activity through connected Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts. This builds authenticity and familiarity.
8. Install email list provider plugins like MailerLite to incentivize visitors to sign up for your newsletter with bonuses like exclusive content.
That covers the key steps for most standard sites – some builders make the process even easier with AI personalization.
With your podcast‘s new home established online, let‘s examine the top website builder options…
9 Best Podcast Website Builders Reviews (2022)
The following 9 platforms offer purpose-built tools tailored specifically for podcast site creation needs:
1. Podcastpage – Best Overall for Simplicity
Offering the perfect blend of easy-to-use yet powerful site building capabilities, Podcastpage is my top overall recommendation.
Created just for podcasters by software company Geekflare, key advantages include:
- Intuitive editor enabling seamless drag and drop customization
- SEO optimization improving Google ranking potential
- Smooth podcast imports to showcase episodes
- Responsive designs fitting all devices
- Active community offering guidance for newcomers
With free, standard and pro plans available, Podcastpage provides immense value whether you’re a hobby or pro podcaster.
Create Your Podcast Website with Podcastpage
2. Podpage – Top for Audience Engagement
Enabling myriad ways to interact with listeners beyond your episodes, Podpage facilitates community growth.
Standout features powering engagement include:
- Comments sections on episodes for discussions
- Integrated voicemail for voice messages
- Multi-language support catering to global audiences
- Email list integration welcoming new subscribers
Paired with a focus on showcasing your brand through visuals, Podpage empowerspodcasters create websites as unique as their content.
Check Out Podpage for Building Engagement
3. Transistor – Top Integrated With Podcast Media Host
As leaders in podcast hosting technology, Transistor pairs top-tier websites with their acclaimed smart distribution.
Benefitting hosting clients includes:
- Turnkey podcasting solution with hosting, dynamic sites and engagement tools
- Multi-language supported catering to global audiences
- Built-in analytics offering actionable performance insights
- Responsive designs fitting all devices and screens
Fans can directly access your episodes from your Transistor site across all major podcast platforms.
Get Your Website and Hosting in One with Transistor
4. SUPAPASS – Best for Quick Setup
Through AI-enhancements, SUPAPASS expedites podcast website creation without complexity or coding.
In under 10 minutes, you can leverage smart design layouts include:
- SEO-optimized driving search visibility
- Automated updates keeping content fresh
- Built-in analytics revealing traffic insights
- Multi-language supported sites
With an intuitive editor requiring no technical skills, SUPAPASS simplifies establishing your podcast’s home online.
Launch Your SUPAPASS Website in Minutes
5. Appy Pie – Best for Design Flexibility
Empowering extensive site customization for free, Appy Pie fuels creative podcasters turn vision into reality.
Robust yet intuitive design components include:
- AI-powered guidance on style choices
- Modern mobile-ready templates
- Hundreds of font and color options
- Drag-and-drop repositioning
- Multi-language pages
With quality technical support available, Appy Pie simplifies fully reflective brand expression.
Build Your Bespoke Podcast Website with Appy Pie
6. OnPodium – Best for Automated Sites
Requiring only your podcast RSS feed link, OnPodium autogenerates optimized websites highlighting your latest episodes.
By automatically handling complex backend details, you can focus on content while OnPodium dynamically:
- Creates SEO-enhanced pages displaying shownotes
- Imports episode details like audio files
- Optimizes site speed for smooth listening
- Integrates follow buttons for major platforms
Set and forget while OnPodium worry about technically powering your site.
Get OnPodium Building Your Site for You
7. Wix – Most Feature-Packed Option
Offering unmatched versatility through their globally trusted website builder, Wix caters to advanced podcasters.
With over 200 million sites powered, standout strengths include:
- Massive design template library
- Hundreds of customizable elements
- Built-in SEO and marketing integrations
- Option to build out full mobile app
While beginners may prefer more guided workflows, Wix provides experts ultimate control crafting their vision.
Create Your Custom Podcast Site with Wix
8. Podtailor – Best Specialized Podcast Tools
Crafted specifically to cater to podcaster’s specialized needs, Podtailor streamlines website creation.
Automation strengths accelerating launch include:
- Auto-importing new episodes from RSS
- Generating pages featuring shownotes
- Integrating podcast reviews
- Built-in blog and newsletters
With custom domains, fonts and colors supported, Podtailor lets your brand identity shine through.
Check Out Podtailor for Easy Podcast Sites
9. Simple.ink – Best for Blogging Podcasters
For shows focused on written blogging content alongside audio, Simple.ink syncs your Notion work into a polished website.
With bidirectional linking, your sites update automatically as you:
- Compose related blog posts
- Outline upcoming episodes
- Store research and notes
- Manage transcription workflows
By consolidating your writing and recording, Simple.ink boosts consistency.
Sync Your Blog and Podcast Site With Simple.ink
With the fundamentals of choosing a tailored podcast website builder reviewed, let‘s get more fans discovering your amazing content…
Driving Traffic to Your New Podcast Website
With a beautifully optimized site established, dedicating effort promoting your hub sparks sustainable podcast growth.
Tactics to prioritize include:
🔥 SEO optimization – Install tools like Yoast to identify focus keywords, enrich meta descriptions and alt text to rank higher in Google and YouTube. Study competitors using SEMRush.
🔥 Social media coordination – Share new episodes across your personal and show accounts using engaging text, hashtags like #podcast, tagging relevant influences for broader reach.
🔥 Guest posting outreach – Build relationships with leaders in your niche to contribute articles linking back to your website as an authority.
🔥 Email list incentives – Offer exclusive content like bonus episodes, tabs on tools you use through providers like MailerLite to encourage sign-ups. Send new episode notifications directly to subscribers.
🔥 Community interactions – Reply to all website comments, user forum posts and social media tags to foster familiarity with you as the podcaster behind each episode.
Track key metrics like website visitors, email list growth, social media clicks and search rankings to benchmark success over the first critical 1-6 months.
Be persistent and patient! It takes time for new listeners to discover you…
FAQs from New Podcasters
To wrap up, let‘s review common questions I hear from podcasters building their first websites:
Q: Do I need web hosting for a podcast site?
A: Many website builders like Podcastpage handle all hosting and security updates for you with plans, so no separate hosting purchase is needed in most cases.
Q: Can I use a free website like Wix or WordPress?
A: I advise investing in a paid podcast-focused platform over generic free options for better support, speed and features tailored to engaging listeners vs basic blogging.
Q: How do I pick the best website builder for my show?
A: Consider your technical skill level, necessary features like SEO or automation, available budget, anticipated growth and desired freedom to express your show’s unique personality through site design. Identify must-haves before reviewing the above platforms to find an aligned option.
Q: What’s the next step once my site is ready?
A: Start sharing! Add social follow links, create share graphics and actively notify your initial supporters. Pitch relevant podcast directories and publications to get reviewed before pursuing wider press outreach. Seed upfront value before expecting viral growth right away.
I sincerely hope this guide has provided extensive insights into how crucial podcast websites are, as well as a simplified starting point saving you time getting launched.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out directly with any other questions!
Wishing you much continued success engaging more fans…
Your partner in podcasting growth,
[Your name][1] Apple Podcasts serves over 170 million listeners per month
[2] 2021 Poll from Podcast Insights
[3] With over 28 million monthly downloads
[4] Providing email list capture popup forms
[5] 2022 Poll from Pacific Content
[6] According to 2021 Creator Economy Outlook Report
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