While podcast platforms like Apple Podcast and Spotify provide a great way to distribute your podcast, having a website opens up whole new opportunities for listener experiences, listener growth opportunities, and even ways to unlock additional revenue streams.
Control the Listener’s Experience
With a podcast website, you have complete control over the experience of your listeners – and potential listeners. For podcasters who don’t have a website, when listeners find more information about their show, they will be greeted by the platforms you are distributing your podcast on. The platforms control the entire experience.
However, if you have a website, you’re able to appear in the search results and control the entire listener experience. On your podcast, you can easily direct people to your website for bonus content, sign up for your email list, or even make a purchase from a product you mention and make money through affiliate marketing.
Email List
Allow your superfans to connect with you beyond just a notification of a new podcast episode. Directing people to your website to join your email list allows you to connect with listeners beyond the podcast. Here are a few unique ideas for your email blast beyond just announcing a new podcast:
- Behind-The-Scenes Glimpse: A sneak peek into your podcast recording process, including your setup, rituals before you record, or even bloopers.
- Exclusive Interviews: Teasers or exclusive content from upcoming interviews that didn’t make the final cut for the podcast.
- Listener Spotlight: Showcase a listener’s story, feedback, or how your podcast has influenced them.
- Podcast Recommendations: Share a few podcasts you personally enjoy or that are related to your content. It could help your listeners discover new content and show your support for other podcasters.
- Ask Me Anything (AMA): An email where you answer listener’s questions about you, your podcast, or the topics you discuss.
- In-depth Show Notes: Detailed insights or additional resources related to your podcast episode. This could include links to books, articles, or other relevant resources.
Podcast Revenue Streams
If you don’t have a website, your revenue streams are limited to podcast sponsorships that live in your actual podcasts and audio ads.
A website for your podcast unlocks additional advertising revenue. Here are a few additional revenue streams that are unlocked:
Display Ads
The easiest additional revenue stream is simply placing display ads from ad networks such as Google AdSense. If you’re curious on how many you could make, Google Adsense actually has a revenue calculator to estimate your potential earnings. It’s important to note you will need 50,000 pageviews at minimum to make with the revenue calculator predicts – but this can be easily achieved if using all the best practices when creating your podcast website.
As of 2023, here are the latest estimates for 50k pageviews with North America visitors:
- Arts & Entertainment: $3,372
- Autos & Vehicles: $5,520
- Beauty & Fitness: $7,806
- Books & Literature: $3,246
- Business & Industrial: $10,998
- Computers & Electronics: $5,508
- Finance: $19,278
- Food & Drink: $8,598
- Games: $2,622
- Health: $10,440
- Hobbies & Leisure: $6,618
- Home & Garden: $14,010
- Internet & Telecom: $8,730
- Jobs & Education: $7,422
- Law & Government: $7,698
- News: $2,022
- Online Communities: $6,528
- People & Society: $5,202
- Pets & Animals: $5,046
- Real Estate: $8,700
- Reference: $6,714
- Science: $4,428
- Shopping: $8,400
- Sports: $2,538
- Travel: $8,460
Backlinks
As you gain more and more site traffic and site authority, your site can be a great endorsement for other websites. Through the value of backlinks, you can attract more revenue from sponsors, as well as attract more well-known guests by showcasing the value of a backlink on your website.
Affiliate Marketing
Many podcasters are also affiliate marketers, telling listeners to mention a code when making a purchase – and the podcaster is then awarded with a part of the commission. A website allows you to easily showcase all of your affiliate products in one place, and unlocking the potential that even listeners who don’t directly subscribe to your podcast – but listen to it online – can easily make a purchase by finding a link or coupon code on your website.
Email Marketing
Collecting an email list is essential is connecting more personally to your listeners. You can easily remind subscribers of when a new episode launches – which helps you get to more listens on each podcast, as well as work towards your 50,000 pageviews per month.
You can also include an option to send your subscribers emails from your sponsors and partners, which we’ll discuss in the sponsorship upsells section.
Sponsorship Upsells
A website will enhance sponsorship opportunities. When creating your sponsorship kit, you can highlight the value of a backlink on your site, an opportunity to rotate sponsors in to your display ad network, creating sponsored/paid content hosted on your site, and even include emails that mention your sponsors with a call-to-action for your email subscribers.
Member-exclusive Content
Creating member-only content, such as episodes, offers, discounts, and more is easy with a website. While you can direct users to Patreon, you may want to consider having the membership directly on your website. This is made easy for WordPress sites with many members-only plugins to accept reoccurring payments directly on your website.
Revenue from Online Courses
Similar to member-exclusive content, many podcasters offer online courses or coaching opportunities. Listeners can pay for workshops, one-on-one calls and consultations, or even online courses to learn at their own pace.
Search Engine Discoverability
Turning your podcasts into long-form written content allows your website to be found through search engines. There are many tools and services that can turn your audio into a transcript, and then ultimately reformat it as a long-form article – with the option for people to still listen to the podcast episode on the same page.
Metrics and Analytics
Website analytics offer an in-depth look at your audience’s preferences, habits, and interests. Such insights can be invaluable in generating new podcast episode ideas. For instance, Google Analytics can help identify the most viewed and shared content on your website. This could be blog posts, articles, or other podcast episodes. The topics of these highly-engaged pieces can guide you towards subjects that your audience is interested in, and can form the basis of new episodes.
Furthermore, Google Search Console data can reveal what keywords or queries led users to your website. These search terms can highlight themes or questions that your audience is actively seeking answers to, presenting opportunities for podcast content that addresses these queries. Understanding your website analytics, therefore, not only helps in audience growth but also in content ideation, ensuring your podcasts stay relevant and appealing.
Ready to launch your podcast website?
A well-crafted podcast website not only amplifies your listener’s experience but also opens up numerous opportunities for growth and financial gain. By possessing control over your analytics, you can better understand your audience and strategically tailor your content. Moreover, the added benefit of SEO means potential listeners find you with ease. If you’re a podcaster looking to elevate your game, Higgens Media is ready to guide you on the path to launching your own podcast website. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your podcasting journey. Book a free call with Higgens Media and learn how we can help launch your podcast website.