Selecting a podcast host is the most crucial decision you must make as you launch a show. You need to ensure that the software will take care of your current and future needs so that you don’t have to switch providers as you grow. In this article, we will provide five criteria to consider when choosing a podcast hosting platform.
Criteria You Need to consider when selecting your Podcast Host:
All podcast host providers may appear the same when looked at from the surface. Each one seamlessly integrates with popular podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, google podcasts, and Spotify, and every single one manages the RSS feed of your podcast.
But these are basic features offered by any host. And ideally, providers offer more advanced features to help your podcast grow and later monetize it. So evaluate each podcast host based on the five criteria we’re going to give you as you start researching the service best fit for you.
Criteria 1: Storage Facilities
One of the main reasons most people start a podcast is because they like to talk. So considering your current, near, or long-term storage needs are a must whether you’re just starting or a veteran.
Some podcast hosts have storage limits based on total time or file size, while some have unlimited storage options with a curb on other features. So if you’ve used more than the allotted allowance, you may need to charge extra in case of limited storage. In the latter case, the storage may be unlimited, but access to important features may be limited, so you can’t fully utilize the unlimited storage anyway. For that, you may need to upgrade to an advanced plan.
So some hosts like Buzzsprout, PodBean, and Spreaker allow free two to three hours of audio content per month, so you have to get crafty with your episode duration and publishing frequency when starting with a free plan. When you must produce more in-depth episodes as your growth trajectory goes upward, managing the available time and your increasing need becomes a stress point. But as you upgrade to a paid plan on some hosts like PodBean, you get unlimited storage.
You get 5 hours of storage space with the free plan of PodBean.
With the free plan of Spreaker, you get to upload 10 episodes.
Moreover, you may want to produce multiple podcasts now or in the near future. So it’s very important to ensure your podcast host can host your different shows on separate RSS feeds and provide one dashboard to manage them all.
One such podcast host where you can host multiple podcasts on one account is Transistor.
Criteria 2: Easy Website Integration
A podcast website is a central place that provides everything a listener needs. From the option to subscribe to the show to playing the latest episode or to know more about your brand, everything is available through a podcasting website.
Podcast Websites built on WordPress:
For many podcasters, WordPress is the go-to platform for building their website. So consider if your podcast host can integrate with popular WordPress themes. The simplest way to access this capability is to see if there’s a dedicated podcasting WordPress plugin within your software and if your WordPress dashboard allows you to manage your shows directly.
Buzzsprout is one such podcast host that has a dedicated free WordPress plugin.
The absence of these capabilities means it’ll cost you more time in the long run as you must do the same task twice. Think about manually embedding a link to your WordPress site after manually uploading an episode to the host. Ideally, a new post is automatically created for you once you simply upload your file directly in WordPress.
Podcast sites built on SquareSpace, Wix, or other services:
If you choose different services like Wix or Squarespace to build your podcast website, verify the domain routing capabilities in your podcast host so that the current domain name can be integrated with your RSS feed.
If you don’t have a podcast website, see if a podcast host provides the option to create a personalized site for you.
RSS.com is one such podcast host that provides a free podcasting website with two out of three of its plans.
Criteria 3: Easy Content Repurposing
The bare minimum requirement from any podcast host is to feature your podcast in every directory. But when it comes to reaching your audience through YouTube, it demands advanced automated Youtube republishing capabilities from your podcast host’s end.
Without the automation, you’ll be required to manually publish files to reach your audiences on the 2nd largest search engine(YouTube). It may sound odd to publish an audio-only file on YouTube, but an increasing number of people listen to podcasts on youtube.
So if a host provides the automated republishing option, it’s worth choosing them instead of the other that doesn’t offer the feature.
One such podcast host, Transistor, offers an automated YouTube republishing feature.
Another one is Castos podcast host. They automatically create and publish YouTube videos from your podcast.
Transcription:
You can also add a full transcription of each episode on podcasting sites to make it more accessible. You can do some research to find the right transcription service or a podcast host that provides that service too.
Further, if you want to reap added SEO benefits by helping hearing-impaired persons enjoy your show, choose a podcast host capable of transcribing each episode seamlessly.
Among the podcast hosts that provide transcription services is Castos.
Criteria 4: Audience Analysis
How can a host keep on creating more engaging content? And what’s the way to pitch the right sponsors to advertise on the show?
Both are possible when you understand your audience- i.e
- what they’re listening to,
- On which platform they’re listening
- The level of engagement of different audience segments with your content
- where they’re coming from and
- How long have they been listening to
- Where do they go next
- Total number of unique listeners and subscribers
- Number of downloads
Audience insight is something that most podcast hosts provide, but you need to understand which stats you’re getting and what you’re missing.
Watch this video to understand better what stats matter more.
Criteria 5: The Extent of Monetization Support
Podcast monetization is something that both software providers and hosts are finding out the best way to advance the industry. So it’s very important to understand whether the podcast host will hinder or help your strategies if making money from your show now or in the future is essential to you.
To access the host, you need to consider if they’re dedicated to assisting premium subscription technology. Look into whether they offer cross-promoting to other businesses or provide informative resources on pitching sponsors.
You should consider going to other hosts if it seems like the podcast host will desert you when the time for monetization comes. Thinking of earning from your podcasts may not be the first thing you think when you start a podcast, but it’s smart to consider if the host will support these future needs if you decide to make the show your main income source from a side hustle.
Wrapping Up: The Best Podcast Host for Your Show
Keep these 5 criteria in mind as you research and compare podcast hosts. It’s best to go with the software that’s marching to improve its platform while supporting the growth of your show. And take advantage of the free trial offerings when you’ve found the right one- try before you buy.
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