Sep 17 (edited) • 🛠 Tools & Tutorials
Let’s Talk About Podcast Hosting Services
>>>Why Hosting Feels Overwhelming
There are a ton of podcast hosting services: Buzzsprout, Podbean (one of the earliest), Castos, Spreaker, SimpleCast… the list goes on. It can feel overwhelming when all you want to do is get your podcast out into the world.
The truth is most hosting services do the same thing. They create an RSS feed, which works like a radio station’s broadcast signal but for the internet, and they give you stats.
>>>What You Actually Pay For
Most services charge about the same monthly rate for about the same stats. Some cheaper ones cap your usage by limiting episode length, the number of uploads, or the number of downloads. If your show is just starting out and pulling only a handful of downloads, that cap can save you money.
For the average podcaster, advanced analytics are unnecessary. You only need the basics.
The Core Stats You Need
- Downloads
- Listening apps
- Devices used
- Geographic location
That is plenty. Advanced stats are built for podcasts with hundreds of thousands or millions of downloads per episode, and those plans cost hundreds or even thousands a month. Not for us.
>>>The Free Stat No Host (well, most) Gives You: COMPLETION RATES!
You can get them from Apple Podcasts for Creators and Spotify for Podcasters. Each platform tracks this slightly differently, but the insight is priceless. Completion rates show you how long people actually listen. Downloads tell you who pressed play. Completion rates tell you if they stayed.
For instance, 500 downloads looks great! But if I went over to my Spotify for Podcaster account and saw my completion rate is 35%, that tells me all my listeners left early in that episode. I need to rethink my podcast, probably how I'm introducing the podcast.
On the other hand, 50 downloads might be a little defeating. Then you go check out your Apple Podcast account and see your episodes are averaging an 89% completion rate. Well, that indicates listeners are really connecting with your podcast. You're on the right path for audience growth.
>>>Picking the Right Host
Choose a host that fits your budget and feels easy to use. Most offer free trials, so upload a trailer or test file and play around. If it does not feel right, move on.
Nearly all modern hosts automatically push your show to major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For deeper insights such as completion rates, you still need to sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for Creators for Spotify for Creators (I'm going to talk about this hosting service in just a bit) and connect your podcast. Both companies provide walkthroughs.
>>> Spotify for Podcasters: My Honest Take
To be blunt, it is not great. To be really honest, it fucking suck. Spotify is chasing YouTube’s crown as the go-to platform for music and videos. They lure creators with promises but deliver a weak product, especially when it comes to hosting podcasts.
Their main selling point is free hosting, and you get exactly what you pay for with Spotify for Creators. Other services also have free plans, and I would choose those before touching Spotify’s. Spotify once partnered with Acast, which offered unlimited free hosting with limited stats. Acast was solid choice for a free service. But when Spotify folded Acast into their company, the experience went, well, you know my opinion.
If you are already on Spotify hosting and want to switch, you can. That goes for moving from any hosting service to another. There are few rare exceptions that make it difficult, but I seriously doubt any of you will ever be in that boat. Migrating will not cut off your listeners. You can do it at any time, but I suggest to just do it on a Friday or weekend when listening is naturally lower.
>>> Pick a host. Track completion rates. Keep creating.
Ultimately, your hosting platform is not what makes your podcast great. What makes it great is the content you create and what you want to give your listeners in return for their time. Pick the one that you feel comfortable using, keep an eye on your basic stats, and pay attention to your completion rates.
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Let’s Talk About Podcast Hosting Services
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