The overall success of your podcast can be significantly impacted by the platform you choose for hosting it. It’s one of the important choices you’ll have to make when beginning a podcast. Using podcast hosting systems, large media files can be distributed and stored before being offered for download. They provide tools designed exclusively for podcasters to manage large audio and video files and deliver them to their audience.
The question is, how do you pick a podcast host who will completely suit your requirements and long-term podcasting ambitions? What precisely should you search for?
So, to help you hunt for the ideal podcast hosting provider, we’ve put together a guide that will outline the factors to consider when making your decision.
Hosting Platform
The ability of podcast hosting platforms to publish is arguably its most important feature. Because podcasting software is built for publishing, it has the tools to make publishing audio simple and convenient. Users can create RSS feeds and add descriptions and tags for their podcasts to be easily categorized and found by potential listeners.
Users of podcasting software can record, edit, and publish audio online. It offers users advanced options in creating, editing, and publishing audio and video, going above and beyond what typical audio programs can.
There are a ton of podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout, Anchor, Captivate, etc. However, For those who want to upload their podcasts quickly and are okay with forgoing the bells and whistles that other platforms have, Podiant is a great podcast hosting platform. It is the best podcast hosting platform for users looking for a simple interface.
Another excellent hosting service is provided by SoundCloud, better known for its music streaming service. Still, it also functions as a superb podcast hosting platform that you can use to make your show available to your audience and gain some extra exposure to SoundCloud users. To know more about these two excellent hosting providers, check out our comparison between Soundcloud vs Podiant to get a complete guide to choosing your next hosting platform.
How To Pick A Platform For Hosting Podcasts
Easy To Setup And Easy To Use
Nothing is more frustrating than having to install a tonne of software or study a tonne of code to figure out how to set up a podcast hosting account. If it takes you more than five minutes to set up your podcast hosting account, you should hunt for a better host with less complicated technologies.
If you’re not a tech whiz, think about how user-friendly each podcast hosting site is. It can be challenging to create and embed podcast players, develop a website, publish your podcast, and add music to your episodes, especially if the user interface on your hosting site is not user-friendly. In most cases, finding a YouTube video or looking for diagrams, pictures, and instructions on the hosting provider’s website is simple. Additionally, many hosting services have free trials, allowing you to check their capabilities before uploading episodes.
Cost Factor
To be sure you’re spending only what you should be, carefully examine your price and terms and conditions. A free alternative can be something to consider if you’re starting. Remember that most free solutions have few features and little possibility for expansion. As an alternative, you can anticipate paying between $10 and $100/month if you want to move to a hosting platform with greater functionality and monetization alternatives.
Storage And Bandwidth
Audio from podcasts can occupy a lot of memory space. But if you feel like going above the 90-minute threshold, you shouldn’t worry about confining your incredible presentation to 30 or 45 minutes. Additionally, if you want to release monthly or even daily episodes, you should be allowed to do something other than one or two every month.
Because so few podcast hosts offer limitless audio storage capacity, Make sure the podcast hosting service has adequate space to accommodate your future podcasting plans. For a quick comparison, 2,000 GB of monthly bandwidth would provide roughly 50,000 downloads. To determine how much storage or bandwidth you’ll need, compare this example to the downloads you typically make.
Podcast Features
Each service that hosts podcasts offers a few features that are helpful to podcasters. Depending on your demands, you should select a particular hosting provider based on its unique features. The automatic Youtube distribution tool may be handy.
Thanks to this function, you don’t have to manually post any of your episodes to YouTube. You’ll save time and improve your searchability by doing this. Finally, you must look for a monetization feature for your podcast if you intend to make it your full-time job.
Analytics Reporting
The success of your podcast depends on how well you measure listener engagement. Analyzing your stats is one of the finest ways to determine whether or not your podcast is a success.
The number of people who listen to your episodes, the platforms they use to listen, the number of people who download them, the number of messages and comments you receive, the number of people who visit your website, and other statistics are all examples of podcast analytics.
You can use this information to improve your future content creation and better analyze the effectiveness of your podcast.
Final Words
It doesn’t have to be stressful to host your podcast!
We at Viebly wish to make your journey of selecting a podcast hosting service less stressful. We’re confident you’ll find the ideal service for your podcast objectives with the help of our suggestions.
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