Podcasting has become a very popular medium of daily consumption for many people. This is evident by the increasing number of podcasts on various topics available online or in syndication through multiple platforms. The popularity of podcasting does not only mean that there are a lot of people creating their own shows and uploading them to the web, but also that there is a large audience willing to stream or download every new episode as soon as it is available. So if you’re thinking of starting your own podcast it’s a good idea! Here’s an easy guide to choosing the right podcast hosting platform.
Ease of Use
There are a few podcast hosting services currently available, some easier to use than others. It all depends on how tech-savvy you are.
You can tell if a hosting platform is easy to use when you sign up for it. The more info you need to input, the more steps you’re required to follow, the harder the platform is to use. You can also read reviews of hosting platforms, like a Buzzsprout review as research about the easiest platforms. Further, if there are any tutorials on how to use their service, it is a good sign that the platform is user-friendly. As a new podcaster, you might start with the easiest ones but as your show progresses you might want to upgrade to a more sophisticated one.
Flexibility of Design
A podcast hosting platform has to allow you to create your own website for your show. The more flexible the design tools are, the better you can customize it however you want. You’re allowed to choose your own colours, upload your own logo, even create a completely unique layout for your website.
For example, if you want to add a “register” button on your website, make sure the podcast hosting platform you are using has the appropriate applications. Additionally, other elements such as your biography and episode list should be easy to edit and embed into your feed.
File Size Limit
This feature is especially important for podcasters who upload video podcasts. If your podcast has videos in it and you’re looking for a platform that can host them, make sure you check the maximum size allowed: the bigger the better! The only downside of having a large file size limit is that you might run into problems such as bandwidth overage (when the deleting process takes longer because there are more files to remove.)
For example, if you have a 100MB maximum file size limit and your file is 101MB, it will not upload. If this happens to you, you might get charged by the hosting company for using more bandwidth than what they allow you.
Subscription Fee or Not?
Some podcast hosting sites offer their service for free, while others will require you to pay an annual subscription fee. If you have a podcast that has the potential to become popular, then it’s worth it to go for a paid hosting service.
Well, free websites are limited in certain aspects such as storage space and bandwidth as mentioned above, which means there are limitations on what kind of files you can upload, how many people can download your file, and very high chances of hitting bandwidth overage fees.
For example, take a look at Soundcloud: free accounts have a 30-minute time limit on audio uploading and the amount of photos you can upload is limited as well. Paid accounts offer much more storage space, up to 320 hours for $15/month.
Customer Service
A podcast hosting platform should offer good, quick customer service in order to help you solve any problem that may arise when you are uploading or managing your show’s website within their services. If the customer service department is able to answer all of your questions and resolve all your problems, then they are doing a good job.
There are several ways to contact the customer service department: you can either call, email or chat with them through their website. Test how fast they get back to you and whether they are able to answer all your questions or not.
File Format Compatibility
Different hosting platforms may accept different file formats for uploading. For example, Soundcloud is limited to MP3 and OGG files only while Podomatic accepts MP3, M4A (AAC) and OPUS files.
To find out what file formats are allowed on your preferred podcast hosting site, check their “Help” or “FAQs” page. Most platforms will state which file extensions they accept, and if you still have questions you can always contact them by email or phone to ask about it. Once you have found out the file format compatibility, you can decide if it’s right for your podcast.
Read More: Top 10 Best Online M4A to MP3 Converter Free 2021
Finding the right podcast hosting platform can be tough, especially if you don’t know which features to look for. As a podcaster, you want to find one that is not only easy to use but also one with unlimited storage space and bandwidth because this means that your podcast will have more time online on the server and it won’t get removed if you go over your file size limit. It is also important that your website or RSS feed has a unique layout to show off the personality of your podcast. Also, your podcast hosting platform should have good customer service to help you solve any problem that might arise during the uploading or managing of your show.
