A number of of our readers have requested us about discovering the very best podcast internet hosting service.
Podcast internet hosting is totally different than web site internet hosting as a result of it presents particular instruments constructed to optimize the subscriber expertise (we’ll clarify extra about this later within the article).
Selecting a dependable podcasting internet hosting platform is essential in your podcast as a result of it should allow you to develop your viewers sooner whereas making it simpler to handle your podcast recordsdata.
On this article, we’ll evaluate the very best podcast internet hosting corporations that you should utilize. Lots of them are free, and a few cost a small price as a result of they provide higher assist and instruments.
What Is Podcast Internet hosting?
Podcast internet hosting is a specialised service that provides to retailer and ship media recordsdata related to a podcast.
Similar to you want an internet site internet hosting service to retailer all of your web site recordsdata, podcast internet hosting presents the identical service however in your podcast’s media recordsdata.
Now, it’s possible you’ll be questioning whether or not you can simply use your web site internet hosting to retailer your podcast recordsdata as properly.
You are able to do that, however that wouldn’t be good in your web site or your listeners.
Why Do You Want Podcast Internet hosting?
You see, podcast episodes are giant recordsdata. Delivering them from the identical server as your web site will take a number of server assets. It will make your web site slower, and it may even crash throughout excessive load.
If a number of customers begin downloading on the identical time, then most shared internet hosting companies will merely block the processes which might be taking on server assets. This implies customers won’t be able to obtain your podcast.
And that’s exactly why you want a podcast internet hosting service.
These corporations specialise in storing and delivering giant media recordsdata. They’re made particularly for podcasters and have specialised instruments to deal with this use case.
You additionally get assist from people who’re specialists within the trade. This makes an enormous distinction in the long term.
That being stated, let’s check out the very best podcast internet hosting companies that you should utilize. There are a lot of corporations providing these companies. Nonetheless, we shall be reviewing those which might be the best to make use of, provide nice instruments and assist, and have flexibility in file sizes.
1. PodBean
PodBean is the very best podcast internet hosting service supplier available on the market. They provide limitless podcast internet hosting plans with unmetered bandwidth.
The internet hosting service consists of stunning design instruments to host your web site with customizable themes. You may as well simply embed the PodBean podcast participant straight into your WordPress posts and pages.
Apart from that, additionally they have podcast promotion instruments that robotically submit your episodes to all high podcast directories, like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. This enables your viewers to make use of their most popular instruments to hearken to and obtain podcasts.
PodBean additionally presents an promoting market that gives alternatives for podcasters to monetize their content material. Additionally they have an enormous group of podcasters already utilizing PodBean as their podcasting platform.
Professionals:
Limitless audio and video internet hosting
Newbie-friendly interface
Schedule podcast publishing
Simply distribute podcasts to fashionable platforms
View real-time statistics of podcast efficiency
Reside streaming, dwell calls, and prompt messages
Cons:
Why We Advocate PodBean: It’s one the very best podcast internet hosting companies that provides limitless video and audio internet hosting at inexpensive costs. We suggest PodBean as a result of it presents highly effective options for promotion, monitoring efficiency, monetization, and boosting engagement.
Pricing: Free plan with restricted storage. Paid plans begin from $9/month with limitless storage.
2. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is among the easiest-to-use podcasting internet hosting suppliers for newcomers. They’ve been within the enterprise since 2009 and have constructed a robust group of podcasters, which incorporates a few of the high podcasters round.
If you’re simply getting began, then you can find it to be extremely straightforward to make use of. Simply add your media file, and Buzzsprout robotically takes care of the remainder.
They will even robotically submit your episodes to all the highest podcast directories, which ensures that your podcast is accessible on all gadgets and apps.
Their embeddable podcast participant appears nice and works properly on all display screen sizes. It exhibits the duvet artwork, social sharing buttons, ahead and backward skip controls, and extra.
Additionally they provide a free WordPress plugin that makes embeds even simpler. In the event you don’t wish to make an internet site, then Buzzsprout could make one for you. You possibly can customise its design and use your individual customized area identify.
Professionals:
Tremendous straightforward to make use of
Helps all high podcast directories
Detailed studies and stats for podcast efficiency
Devoted WordPress plugin to embed podcasts
Cons:
Paid plans have bandwidth and add limits
Why We Advocate Buzzsprout: After testing totally different podcast internet hosting companies, Buzzsprout is probably the most newbie pleasant and straightforward to make use of. Merely add your media file, and the platform will care for the remainder.
Pricing: Restricted free plan hosts every episode for 90 days, as much as 2 hours every month. Paid plans begin at $12/month for 3 hours of add every month.
3. Blubrry
Blubrry presents versatile podcast internet hosting plans for brand spanking new and skilled podcasters alike.
It presents a preferred WordPress podcasting plugin referred to as PowerPress that makes it tremendous straightforward to handle a podcast straight out of your WordPress web site.
Utilizing Blubrry with PowerPress makes it straightforward to add your podcast episodes on to your podcast internet hosting supplier. It additionally lets you simply submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts (beforehand iTunes) and Google Podcasts.
This makes your podcasts simply discoverable on Google Dwelling, Assistant, and Google Podcast app on Android gadgets.
Blubrry additionally presents monetization choices, podcast statistics, social sharing options, and extra.
Professionals:
Provides a devoted WordPress podcast plugin
Create a free WordPress web site in your podcast
Restrict podcast entry to authenticated customers
Podcast analytics studies
Cons:
There isn’t a free plan
Limits on storage on premium plans
Why We Advocate Blubrry: We suggest Blubrry due to the WordPress plugin (PowerPress) it presents. The plugin makes it very straightforward to handle your podcast straight out of your WordPress web site.
Pricing: Ranging from $12 per 30 days with 125 MB of storage every month.
4. Transistor
Transistor is a strong but easy-to-use podcast internet hosting service for professionals and newcomers. They provide limitless podcast internet hosting plans, which suggests they don’t cost you for hours of add as another hosts do.
They make it extremely straightforward to easily add your podcast media recordsdata and publish them. Additionally they provide podcast analytics so you possibly can see how every episode performs.
Their embed code lets you simply add every episode to your WordPress posts and pages. In the event you don’t have an internet site, then they will rapidly create one for you.
One factor to be careful for is that their plans restrict the variety of downloads. This implies it’s good to improve your plan as your podcast grows.
Professionals:
Limitless podcast storage and bandwidth
Limitless crew members and collaborators
Get dynamic advertisements for promotion
Robotically put up to YouTube
Get a built-in podcast web site
Superior analytics for podcast efficiency
Cons:
No free plan
The premium plans are barely costly
Why We Advocate Transistor: What makes Transistor an incredible podcast internet hosting platform is that it has no limits. Plus, you get a number of options like a built-in podcast web site, dynamic advertisements, integrations, and extra.
Pricing: Ranging from $19 per 30 days for as much as 20,000 downloads every month.
5. Fusebox (Previously Sensible Podcast Participant)
Fusebox presents the very best media participant for podcast web sites. Additionally they present a easy and dependable podcast internet hosting answer with limitless episode uploads.
No matter which podcast internet hosting service you select, you have to a media participant to correctly embed and show podcasts in your web site.
Fusebox lets you show a fantastic media participant in your web site. You possibly can present it on particular person episode pages in your podcast or in your homepage. Customers can browse the episodes, use on-screen controls, share the podcasts, and extra.
The participant appears stunning on all gadgets and display screen sizes. You may as well customise its colours to match your web site and make it sticky on high or backside.
Other than serving to you discover new listeners, Fusebox additionally helps you develop your e mail checklist and enhance return guests to your web site. This instrument is utilized by each high podcaster on the planet, and it was created by Pat Flynn’s crew.
With Fusebox internet hosting, you get important analytics to trace the efficiency of your podcast. Plus, it presents hassle-free migration from different platforms.
Professionals:
Cons:
No built-in WordPress web site for the podcast
Doesn’t provide a free model
Restricted integration choices
Why We Advocate Fusebox: We suggest Fusebox due to the media participant it presents. Together with podcast internet hosting, you’re going to get a surprising internet participant that provides plenty of options.
Pricing: Ranging from $7.50 per 30 days (billed yearly)
6. Libsyn
Libsyn is one other dependable podcast internet hosting service supplier. They provide an easy-to-use platform that places your model on the heart and helps you promote your podcast throughout totally different platforms, apps, and gadgets.
Libsyn began in 2004, which makes it one of many very first podcast internet hosting service suppliers. The platform was created by podcasters for different podcasters and has a big group of customers, together with a few of the most influential creators.
They provide three podcast internet hosting plans with totally different month-to-month storage limits however with limitless bandwidth.
Professionals:
Simple-to-use podcast internet hosting platform
Publish your podcast to fashionable platforms
Monetize podcasts with advertisements and donations
Podcast analytics and studies
Cons:
No free trial or free model
Superior stats price extra cash
Limits on storage and uploads
Why We Advocate Libsyn: What makes Libsyn so nice is that it helps you to create a podcast very quickly. It presents a easy and user-friendly interface together with different options for publishing and selling the podcast.
Pricing: Ranging from $5 per 30 days with 3 hours of latest uploads per 30 days and 162 MB month-to-month storage.
7. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a well-liked music and podcast internet hosting platform. The nice factor is that you may embed any podcast episode from SoundCloud by merely inserting the URL wherever in your WordPress posts and pages.
SoundCloud is free for as much as 3 hours of uploads. Their free plan is an effective place to begin for newcomers who wish to check the waters first.
Their paid plans include extra storage, bandwidth, superior statistics, monetization, and distribution choices. SoundCloud is simple to make use of, however it’s not probably the most versatile or customizable podcast internet hosting plan.
Professionals:
Free plan presents as much as 3 hours of uploads
Simply embed SoundCloud podcast to WordPress
Share non-public tracks with collaborators
Helps fashionable distribution platforms within the professional model
Cons:
Professional model will be costly for brand spanking new podcasters
Why We Advocate SoundCloud: We suggest SoundCloud to customers who wish to embed episodes into their WordPress pages and posts.
Pricing: Free plan with 3 hours of uploads per 30 days. Paid plans begin from $99 per 12 months.
Which Is the Greatest Podcast Internet hosting Service?
As you possibly can see, many podcast internet hosting companies provide comparable plans with all of the important options. Nonetheless, some put limits on space for storing, and a few restrict downloads.
Contemplating these elements, we suggest PodBean as the general greatest podcast internet hosting service. Their plans include limitless storage and bandwidth with an extremely easy-to-use platform. Additionally they mean you can simply promote your podcast throughout totally different companies.
Our second suggestion is Buzzsprout. It is among the best podcast internet hosting options, excellent for newcomers to get began.
Tips on how to Begin a Podcast
Other than a podcast internet hosting service, additionally, you will want an internet site. This shall be your podcast’s residence on the web, the place you’ll advertise and assist customers uncover extra content material.
To make an internet site, you have to a website identify and an internet site internet hosting account.
The area identify will usually price you $14.99 per 12 months, and web site internet hosting plans begin from $7.99 per 30 days, often paid yearly.
Since you might be simply beginning out, it would be best to get monetary savings at any time when you possibly can.
Fortunately, our pals at Bluehost are providing WPBeginner customers a free area and a beneficiant low cost on internet hosting.
For full step-by-step directions, see our information on how one can make an internet site.
Subsequent, you have to to arrange your podcast. Now we have created a step-by-step information to beginning a podcast for newcomers, it should stroll you thru the entire setup, together with how one can report your podcasts.
What Gear Do You Want for Podcasting?
{Many professional} podcasters use quite a lot of tools to report podcasts. This consists of microphones, an audio interface, a mixer, a windscreen, shock mounts, and extra.
All of this tools prices some huge cash.
Nonetheless, you don’t want all of them simply to report a Podcast. The one tools we suggest shopping for from the beginning is an effective microphone.
We suggest utilizing Rode Podcaster, which you’ll plug into your laptop utilizing a USB port.
In the event you can spare a little bit more cash, then you should purchase the Rode Podcaster Equipment, which comes with a growth arm and a shock mount.
Different: Samson C01UCW is an effective entry-level microphone to report podcasts.
As soon as your podcast grows and you’re making cash from it, then you possibly can spend money on enhancing your setup. However keep in mind, you possibly can’t enhance one thing if you happen to don’t begin it, so simply begin!
Tips on how to Promote Your Podcast
Most of the podcast internet hosting companies talked about above mean you can robotically submit your podcast to totally different podcast directories and search engines like google and yahoo.
You may as well manually submit your podcast as properly. As soon as authorized, your podcast and all its episodes will develop into discoverable on these platforms.
Your podcast is revealed as an RSS feed. You will have to repeat the podcast feed URL supplied by your podcast internet hosting service.
Tips on how to Submit Your Podcast to iTunes or Apple Podcasts
iTunes is the world’s largest podcast listing, permitting customers to subscribe to podcasts utilizing their iPhones, Apple computer systems, iPods, and different Apple gadgets.
First, you have to to check in to the iTunes Join web site utilizing your Apple ID. In the event you don’t have one, then you definitely signal as much as create one without cost.
As soon as logged in, click on on the ‘Podcasts Join’ button.
On the following display screen, it’s good to enter your podcast feed URL and click on on the ‘Validate’ button.
iTunes will now fetch your podcast data.
You possibly can then click on the ‘Submit’ button to proceed.
iTunes will now overview your podcast submission, and also you’ll be notified by way of e mail as soon as it’s authorized.
Tips on how to Submit Your Podcast to Google Podcasts
Google Podcasts is Google’s various to Apple Podcasts and iTunes.
To submit your podcast, it’s good to go to the Google Play Music web site and click on on the ‘Begin now’ button.
It will take you to the podcast administration console, the place it’s good to enter your podcast feed URL.
Subsequent, you have to to confirm possession by way of e mail and submit your podcast feed for overview.
As soon as authorized, your podcast shall be listed on Google Podcasts.
Tips on how to Promote Your Podcast on Your Personal Web site
Having a WordPress web site in your podcast provides you a ton of choices to advertise your podcast.
First, we suggest you observe our WordPress web optimization information to guarantee that your podcast web site is getting search visitors.
Now, as folks begin visiting your web site, you’ll discover that the majority of them simply depart with out subscribing to your podcast. That is the place e mail advertising is available in.
You could begin an e mail publication that permits customers to subscribe to your podcast by way of e mail.
Many newbie podcasters discover a ton of latest listeners and subscribers by working a giveaway contest. We suggest utilizing RafflePress, which is the very best WordPress giveaway plugin. It lets you create viral giveaway contests that allow you to rapidly get extra guests to your web site.
For extra suggestions, see our information on how one can enhance web site visitors.
We hope this text helped you discover the very best podcast internet hosting service to launch your podcast. You might also wish to see our information on how one can create an expert enterprise e mail deal with to succeed in out to sponsors and a digital enterprise cellphone quantity to associate with your podcast.
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