You’re looking to take your podcast to the next level? I get it.
You want to grow your audience build a community and maybe even monetize your show.
That’s where WordPress comes in.
It’s not just a platform for building blogs and websites it’s a powerful tool for podcasters looking to build a lasting online presence.
Why WordPress is King for Podcast Websites
I’ve been working with WordPress since way back in 2003 and I’ve seen it evolve from a simple blogging tool to a sophisticated content management system that can handle anything.
It’s the perfect platform for podcasters and here’s why:
1. It’s Easy to Use
Let’s face it you’re a podcaster not a web developer.
You want to focus on creating great content not wrestling with code and trying to figure out how to create a simple website.
WordPress is designed to be user-friendly even for beginners.
You can customize your site’s design layout and content without needing any coding skills.
It’s all drag-and-drop which is perfect for anyone who wants to get up and running quickly.
2. It’s Free!
You’ve already invested in podcasting equipment so the last thing you want to do is spend a fortune on website hosting.
The core WordPress software is free.
You just need to pay for a domain name (think of it like your online address) and hosting (where your website lives). You can find a domain name for around $10 to $20 per year and a decent hosting plan can be had for around $25 per month.
That’s a lot less than many other website builders out there.
3. Tons of Themes and Plugins
WordPress is known for its massive library of themes and plugins.
Themes are basically templates that control the look and feel of your website and plugins are tools that add extra features.
You’ll find a ton of themes and plugins specifically designed for podcasts making it easy to create a site that looks great and has all the features you need.
Now there are a few caveats.
While many themes and plugins are free some use a “freemium” model where you get a basic set of features for free but have to pay for a subscription to unlock all the bells and whistles.
But don’t worry you can still find tons of high-quality free options that will get you started.
4. Built-in eCommerce Functionality
Want to sell merch memberships or digital products? WordPress makes it easy.
With the free WooCommerce plugin you can turn your podcast website into a full-fledged online store.
And if you want to build a membership program there are excellent plugins like Paid Memberships Pro that make it simple to manage your members create different subscription tiers and deliver exclusive content.
5. A Huge Community
WordPress is the most popular website platform in the world with millions of users.
That means there’s a huge and active community of users developers and bloggers all willing to help out.
If you run into a problem chances are someone else has encountered it before and has shared a solution online.
You can find answers to almost any WordPress question on a support forum or with a simple Google search.
Building Your WordPress Podcast Site
Now that you know why WordPress is the best platform for podcasting let’s talk about how to build your site.
It’s easier than you think even if you’ve never built a website before.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Choose a Domain Name
First things first you need to pick a domain name which is the unique URL of your site.
This is what people will type into their web browser to visit your website.
It’s important to choose a domain name that’s easy to remember and relevant to your podcast.
2. Get Hosting
Next you need hosting.
That’s where your website files are stored and accessed by visitors.
You’ve got a lot of options here but I strongly recommend choosing a managed WordPress hosting provider like Pressable.
They’re specifically designed for WordPress sites so you don’t have to worry about technical details like server management and security.
Pressable’s hosting plans start at $25 per month and they offer 24/7 support so you can rest assured that your website will be up and running smoothly.
3. Install WordPress
Once you have hosting you need to install WordPress.
If you use a managed WordPress host like Pressable this is typically a one-click process.
Just follow their instructions and you’ll have WordPress up and running in minutes.
4. Choose a Theme
Now comes the fun part: picking a theme.
Themes are the visual templates for your website so they control how everything looks.
You’ll find a ton of great podcast themes like the following which are perfect for building your podcast website:
- Podcast Starter Theme: This free theme is designed specifically for podcast websites. It’s clean modern and easy to customize.
- The Podcast Page Theme: Another free theme that’s great for podcasters. It includes a dedicated section for your latest episodes and a full-width audio player.
- PowerPress Theme: This paid theme is a bit more advanced but it comes with a ton of features including built-in social sharing and email opt-in forms.
5. Install Plugins
Plugins are the tools that add extra features to your WordPress site.
There are tons of plugins available but here are some essential ones for podcasters:
- PowerPress by Blubrry: This plugin is one of the most popular choices for podcast hosting. It handles everything from publishing your episodes to generating the RSS feeds you need to submit to podcast directories. They also offer audio hosting plans starting at $10 per month.
- Seriously Simple Podcasting by Castos: Another great plugin that’s easy to use. They also offer audio hosting plans starting at $19 per month.
- Podlove Podcast Publisher: This plugin is a free option that helps you create RSS feeds and embed audio players on your website.
6. Create Your Podcast Feed
Once you’ve chosen your podcast hosting plugin you’ll need to create a podcast feed.
This is what allows people to subscribe to your show on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts Spotify and Google Podcasts.
Your chosen podcast hosting plugin will handle generating the feed for you so you don’t have to worry about doing it manually.
7. Submit Your Podcast to Directories
The last step is to submit your podcast to podcast directories.
This is how you’ll get your show listed in the major podcast apps.
Again your podcast hosting plugin will provide you with the necessary instructions and information to submit your podcast to various directories.
WordPress: Your Podcast’s Success Story
WordPress is the perfect platform for building a successful podcast website.
It’s easy to use affordable and loaded with features that will help you grow your audience and build a thriving online community.
So what are you waiting for? Start building your WordPress podcast site today!