What do I need to make a podcast website?

Making a podcast website is relatively simple, but you do need a few things to make it happen. 

Domain 

Every website needs a domain, which is essentially the site’s URL. Think of your domain as your podcast’s digital address. This is what people have to type into their browser to get to your podcast website. Therefore, you’ll want to choose a name that resonates with your content and is easy to spell and remember.

Also be mindful of the Top-Level Domain (TLD)—this is the suffix that comes after your domain name. “.com” is conventional, but alternative TLDs like “.net” or “.org” may also work based on availability and relevance. Before finalizing your domain name, check for any trademark or legal issues associated with your chosen domain to avoid complications.

Your domain name can cost anywhere from a few bucks a year to a few hundred, depending on demand and popularity of the name. You’ll need to use a domain name registrar to secure your domain name. Some top options include DreamHost, Bluehost, and Namecheap. 

Web hosting

You’ll also need a web host. Reliable web hosting ensures your website is accessible to your audience 24/7.  It’s essentially a service that provides the infrastructure for storing and serving files and data that make up your website, making it accessible on the internet. It acts as a virtual home for your website.

When choosing a web host, look for services that offer speed, security, and scalability. A fast-loading, consistently accessible website is critical for retaining and attracting listeners. The best hosting providers invest in high-performance servers and offer content delivery network (CDN) options. Check for security features, including SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular backups, to protect your website and data.

Another consideration is the customer support offered by the hosting provider. Responsive and knowledgeable support, available 24/7 through various channels, ensures you can address any issues promptly.

Evaluate hosting plans and costs, taking into account the features each includes. Some providers offer shared hosting for beginners, while others provide more advanced options like dedicated or virtual private servers. Look for a user-friendly interface or control panel, especially if you’re not familiar with the technical aspects. 

Website platform

Selecting the right website platform and Content Management System (CMS) is paramount. Prioritize user-friendly interfaces that facilitate seamless content management. 

Look for a CMS that supports podcast-specific functionalities, like episode management, audio files and media embedding, and subscription options. Make sure it’s also compatible with the other tools and apps you already use. Consider the scalability of the CMS to accommodate future growth as well.

Platforms like WordPress and Squarespace provide user-friendly interfaces and robust features tailored for podcasting needs. 

An eye-catching design

Once you’ve got the domain, host, and CMS, it’s time to start designing. Aesthetics and user experience matter when it comes to podcast website design. Invest time in selecting a visually appealing design that reflects your podcast’s identity while also being easy to navigate. Choose a theme that’s mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and aligns with your brand. Many website builders have templates to help with the design and layout.

If you don’t have one already, consider creating a brand identity, fonts, color scheme, and logo to go with it. This will help ensure your visuals are consistent across your website and all other channels, boosting brand recognition and awareness.

How to make a podcast website

Step 1. Set up a website with a CMS

Purchase a domain from a reputable registrar. Choose a reliable web hosting provider and get set up with your preferred CMS. Customize your podcast site with a suitable theme that aligns with your podcast’s brand identity.

Step 2. Add and create podcast content

Use podcast plugins or built-in features of your CMS to add and manage episodes, preferably as standalone blog posts. Include detailed show notes and relevant images for each episode. Optimize your content for search engines to enhance discoverability.

There are lots of tools out there that can help you with this part. Descript, for example, is a podcast editor powered by AI. The simple, powerful podcast editing software saves you from the drudgery of production—so you can get down to making a great podcast.

Its included AI Actions feature lets you automatically generate podcast show notes, summaries, blog posts, and more—in seconds. Not to mention the automatic transcript that provides the basis for the app’s editing power: just make any needed corrections to your transcript and put the text on your podcast episode’s webpage to make your podcast accessible and searchable.

Step 3. Promote your website and podcast

Leverage social media platforms to share episodes, engage with your audience, and build a community. Encourage listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and share your podcast. Use email newsletters to keep your audience informed about new episodes and updates.

The 15 best podcast websites to create yours

Now, let’s check out some real-world podcast website examples to inspire your own. These are some of the best podcast website examples out there right now. 

1. All My Relations

Domain: AllMyRelationsPodcast.com

CMS: Wix

All My Relations is a popular podcast about relationships—to land, to relatives, and to one another. It has a simple but beautiful website with information about the podcast and its hosts, an online store, and a dedicated podcast page with the latest episodes and links to listen. 

What we love:

• Clean, simple, user-friendly design
• Dedicated “listen” page and “show notes” page for podcast episodes
• RSS feed of the latest podcast episodes featured on the homepage

2. Call Her Daddy

Domain: CallHerDaddy.com

CMS: Webflow

The Call Her Daddy podcast also has a fully branded website with an online store. Rather than dedicating a page to hosting its free podcast episodes and content, it takes users directly to its Spotify page. The podcast discusses relationships, social scenes, and embarrassing moments with a modern feminist twist. 

What we love:

• Simple, clean, modern design
• Distinct and consistent brand voice
• An opportunity for users to submit their own ideas or request to be featured on the podcast

3. Financial Feminist

Domain: HerFirst100k.com

CMS: WordPress

The Financial Feminist podcast is a sub-brand of Her First 100k, which founder Tori Dunlap created to empower women through financial education. In addition to the podcast, she has a book, an online store, and a whole library of money tools. 

What we love:

• Cohesion with other parts of the brand/business
• Icons that show all the places where people can listen to the podcast
• Embedded episode with an audio player to listen on-site, as well as a playlist of the latest episodes
• Customer reviews as social proof

4. My Dad Wrote a Porno

Domain: MyDadWroteAPorno.com

CMS: Squarespace

Podcast host Jamie Morton’s father wrote a “dirty” book—and Jamie has decided to turn the book into a podcast, My Dad Wrote a Porno. The premise? Jamie and two good friends sit down and read a chapter each week for the pod. Now, it’s a full-blown business, with an HBO special and all. 

What we love:

• Embedded episodes so users can listen right on the website
• High-quality photography that matches the brand voice and comedic tone
• Repurposed podcast content sold as books

5. Online Marketing Made Easy

Domain: AmyPorterfield.com

CMS: WordPress

Amy Porterfield is a well-known social media marketing and small business expert. She’s built a successful business with a variety of offerings, from consulting to courses, books, and even a podcast. The Online Marketing Made Easy podcast focuses on digital marketing and small business, covering topics like boosting sales conversion, email marketing, hiring staff, and balancing personal relationships as an entrepreneur.

What we love:

• Strong call-to-action (CTA) at the top of the page to encourage email signups for podcast updates
• A feed of the latest podcast episodes
• Seamless integration and consistency with the rest of the brand and business

6. Our Body Politic

Domain: OurBodyPolitic.com

CMS: WordPress

Our Body Politic is a podcast about “how women of color impact today’s major political events.” The website highlights all the important information, minimizing distractions and extraneous content. Key calls to action include prompts for users to listen to the latest episodes, dial in to the podcast to contribute, and donate to support the mission. 

What we love: 

• Clear calls to action for users to participate by calling in and leaving a voicemail for potential use on future episodes
• Testimonial quote from Glamour magazine as social proof for the podcast
• More information about the podcast hosts and people behind the brand

7. Raw Talk

Domain: RawTalkPodcast.com

CDN: Fastly

Raw Talk is a podcast about medical science, run by graduate students at the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Simplicity is key here, as the website has a minimal design with only the necessary information: where to listen, the latest episodes, more about the team and how to get in touch, and upcoming events. 

What we love: 

• A dedicated page for housing a feed of the latest episodes
• A glimpse into the people behind the podcast, the grad students who run it
• Three recommended podcast episodes for new listeners to get started

8. Surf Splendor

Domain: SurfSplendorPodcast.com

CMS: WordPress + WooCommerc

The Surf Splendor Podcast is actually its own podcast-turned-podcast-network founded by David Lee Scales. Predictably, the podcast is all about surfing. And while Surf Splendor is just one podcast, there are several other podcasts under the Surf Splendor umbrella, including The Grit! with Chas Smith, The Boardroom Podcast, and Swell With My Soul. 

What we love: 

• A whole collection of individual podcasts coming together in a congruous website
• Online store to boost revenue and explore monetization
• Emphasis on sharing and promoting the actual podcast episodes with plenty of feeds throughout the site

9. The Friday Habit

Domain: TheFridayHabit.com

CMS: Squarespace

The Friday Habit Podcast is a business podcast for entrepreneurs who are too busy doing work for their customers to make critical improvements to their businesses. The website has a beautifully simple and approachable design and layout, focusing on two key things: the podcast and its accompanying business tools and workbook. There’s a clear focus: getting people to listen to the podcast. 

What we love: 

• Simple, clean, and modern web design with consistent branding
• Subscribe buttons for email updates about new podcast episodes
• Easy to navigate menu

10. Twenty Thousand Hertz

Domain: 20k.org

CMS: Squarespace

Twenty Thousand Hertz’s tagline is “The stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds.” The show investigates everything from the sounds we all recognize from media and technology to the sounds of nature, outer space, and even silence. The podcast is highly produced and polished, so it makes sense that its website is the same way—right down to the animations in its header.

What we love: 

• Animated header that communicates what the podcast is about
• Custom images in the same style for each episode
• Simple, polished homepage with just a few essential elements

11. The Nine Club

Domain: TheNineClub.com

CMS: Shopify

The Nine Club is a podcast about skateboarding. The brand extends beyond simply a podcast. It also has a full online store with skateboards and related products, and tons of content on YouTube—people can watch for free or subscribe to gain access to The Nine Club’s premium YouTube content.

What we love: 

• Full list of channels and platforms where people can listen to the podcast
• Consistent branding and visual aesthetic
• Embedded podcast player so people can listen without leaving the website
• Dedicated podcast landing page separate from the rest of the website

12. Therapy for Black Girls

Domain: TherapyForBlackGirls.com

CMS: WordPress

Therapy for Black Girls is “an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.” Its podcast features weekly episodes about topics like mental health and personal development. The website is full of related resources, as well as a feed of the latest podcast episodes to encourage listening.

What we love: 

• High-quality photography that’s relatable to the target audience
• Ecommerce functionality for various products and books
• Episode pages with thumbnails and media embeds so people can listen without leaving the site

13. This American Life

Domain: ThisAmericanLife.org

CMS: Drupal

This American Life is a weekly podcast from NPR. Each week, the hosts discuss a different theme, always revolving around some sort of aspect of the day-to-day life of an American. The website is focused solely on the podcast, delivering the most recent episodes, recommended episodes, and a bit of background information for website visitors. 

What we love: 

• Simple, clean design with a clear focus on podcast content—nothing extra to distract
• Embedded media so people can listen to episodes right on the website
• Clear directions on “how to listen”

14. Tradition of Violence

Domain: Knock-LA.com

CMS: WordPress

Knock LA is a non-profit community journalism project with a media website full of timely and newsworthy content. Its podcast, Tradition of Violence, is a series of episodes that examine deputy gangs within the LA County Sheriff’s Department. It’s a 15-part investigative series presented on the website with bold design and graphics. Each episode also includes a transcription, which can boost the site’s overall SEO.

What we love: 

• Layout similar to a newspaper to encourage people to dive into the content
• Ability to listen to the episodes without leaving the website
• Available in both English and Spanish

15. Wine For Normal People

Domain: WineForNormalPeople.com

CMS: WordPress + WooCommerce

Wine For Normal People is a brand all about wine and helping people learn more about it by making wine education accessible and fun. It has a podcast where host and founder Elizabeth Schneider “translates wine speak into normal, plain-English concepts.” The brand also has books and in-person education opportunities—the podcast is just one small part of it.

What we love: 

• Clear synergy between the podcast, books, and in-person education
• Easy to read and navigate the layout
• High-quality photography featuring Elizabeth to humanize the brand

Podcast websites FAQs

What are podcast websites?

Podcast websites are dedicated online spaces where podcasters showcase their content, interact with their audience, and establish their brand.

Which platform is the best for my podcast?

The best platform depends on your specific needs, but platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Podbean are popular for their podcast-friendly features.

Do podcasts have their own website?

Yes, many podcasts have dedicated websites to enhance their online presence, engage with their audience, and provide additional content and information.