Ever wonder if your podcast website is actually helping you grow your audience—or just sitting there looking pretty? In this episode, I chat with podcast branding expert Mark Des Cotes from PodcastBranding.co about what makes a great podcast website and why it's more than just a digital business card.

Mark explains why your site should not just aim to attract many visitors—it needs to attract the right ones. We discuss the essentials of branding, visual hierarchy, and how to ensure that your website instantly communicates what your podcast is all about. We also cover some common mistakes podcasters make, such as not clearly indicating how listeners can contact them or making it difficult to find their actual episodes on the site.

We also talk about design—things like choosing the right colors, making sure your logo fits your brand, and using SEO to get your site in front of the right people. Mark shares his insights on creating a website that looks great and works for you, helping you build deeper connections with your audience.

Key takeaways:

✅ Your podcast website should clearly communicate your message and brand.

✅ SEO isn’t just for bloggers—it helps the right audience find your show.

✅ A simple contact form makes it easier for listeners to reach out.

✅ A strong call-to-action in your hero section gets visitors engaged.

✅ Make sure all your podcast episodes are easy to find and play directly on your site.

✅ Bonus: Adding extra resource pages can make your site even more useful.

If you’re ready to take your podcast website from “meh” to must-visit, this episode is for you!

• podcastbrandingco.com
• congressionaldish.com
• Podpage.com
• podcastwebsitetips.com/survey
• podcastwebsitetips.com/newsletter
• podcastwebsitetips.com/21
• podcastwebsitetips.com/voicemail

Mentioned in this episode:

Check Out TryPodpage.com and Build Your Website in 10 Minutes

If you're tried of trying to force a podcast website into Squarespace, or Wix and you've had it up to here with the endless plugin and theme updates of WordPress then you need to check out TryPodpage.com you can build a podcast website in 10 minutes or less without having to learn a bunch of coding. Worried about a learning curve, check out the free course at www.learnpodpage.com

We are rebranding the show from "Your Podcast Website" to "Podcast Website Tips."

We will still discuss podcast websites and use this show to communicate with the Podpage community and customers.

Today, we talk about the news Audience Survey from Podage (see video)

Follow the show and never miss an episode.

This show is based off of YOUR feedback. Leave a question/feedback at

podcastwebsitetips.com/voicemail

Navigating the digital landscape of podcasting requires more than just compelling content; it also necessitates a well-maintained website. Broken links can significantly undermine a podcast's credibility and SEO performance. Today I cover the crucial issue of broken links, using his nearly two-decade experience in podcasting as a backdrop. I discuss the frustrating experience of encountering 404 errors, which frustrate potential listeners and reflect poorly on the podcaster's commitment to maintaining their online presence. This episode emphasizes the importance of regularly auditing your website for broken links, as neglecting this can lead to increased bounce rates and decreased search engine rankings.

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than 5 questions and works great on your phone or computer.

Episode Survey

I give you actionable advice on utilizing free link checker tools to identify and rectify these errors. I share my experience with a particular tool, revealing a disheartening number of broken links on his site. However, he also highlights the positive aspect of easily fixing these issues through a user-friendly interface. Podcasters can enhance their brand reputation by prioritizing link maintenance, improving user experience, and driving more traffic to their shows. This episode serves as a wake-up call for podcasters to take charge of their web presence and ensure their digital footprint is as polished as their audio content.

As someone who has published content on the Internet, one of my biggest issues is companies I talked to twenty years ago have gone out of business. The other one is fat fingers :)

• Broken links can frustrate visitors, leading to a negative perception of your website.
• Regularly checking for broken links is essential to maintain your website's SEO health.
• Broken links can increase bounce rates, as users leave after encountering 404 errors.
• Using free link checker tools can help identify and fix broken links on your site.
• Search engines may penalize websites with broken links, impacting overall search rankings.
• Maintaining internal link integrity is crucial for distributing link equity throughout your site.

Join the School of Podcasting

Website Resources

Listen to Podcast Website Tips: Growing Your Podcast via the Web

Sitechecker Pro Free Link Checker (as it's part of the 14-day trial)

Full Site Edit From Semrush

School of Podcasting

Mentioned in this episode:

We Make Good Podcasts BETTER! - PodcastHotSeat.com

Ready to take your show to the next level? Check out Podcast Hot Seat. You provide an episode, and I listen to the whole thing. I then point out what you're doing right and identify anything that needs polish. I also review your website and ensure you're not missing any low-hanging fruit. You also get a FREE MONTH at the School of Podcasting (including unlimited coaching). It's time to hop into the hot seat and get your podcast growing!

Podcast Hot Seat

Bounce rate is a measurement used in SEO to measure engagement on your website. Depending on the type of website, it can be REALLY important, or you may decide not to sweat it.

It is calculated by dividing the number of single-page sessions (bounces) by the total sessions and shown as a percentage. For example, if 500 out of 1,000 visitors leave after viewing just one page, the bounce rate would be 50%. YAY MATH!

Bounce rate significance depends on the page type and its goals. A high bounce rate on a customer service page may be fine if users quickly find what they need. However, a high bounce rate on a landing page meant to convert visitors could signal issues like poor content or mismatched expectations.

Well, as I stated above, "Good" is relative. Generally, a good bounce rate is around 40% or lower, while rates above 55% may warrant further investigation.

Join the School of Podcasting

Website Resources

Listen to Podcast Website Tips: Growing Your Podcast via the Web

Link Whisperer - WordPress plugin for cross-linking

Fathom Easy-to-Understand Website Stats

Sources:

Mailchimp

Semrush

CXL

Fullstory

If you're new to the show I recently switched job from Libsyn to Podpage. One of the things I will be doing for my role at Podpage will be to do a podcast about Podcast Websites with Podpage as the Sponsor. If this sounds very familiar to this show, then you're on the same page as I am.

So not much will change going forward, the name and artwork and maybe the website. I'll keep you informed, but if you've been wondering where new episodes have been, now you know.

Thanks so much.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check Out TryPodpage.com and Build Your Website in 10 Minutes

If you're tried of trying to force a podcast website into Squarespace, or Wix and you've had it up to here with the endless plugin and theme updates of WordPress then you need to check out TryPodpage.com you can build a podcast website in 10 minutes or less without having to learn a bunch of coding. Worried about a learning curve, check out the free course at www.learnpodpage.com

We all come up with episode titles (which end up on our website). Today, we are talking about how to maximize those titles for maximum impact.

You've poured your heart and soul into creating amazing podcast content, but are you giving your episode titles the attention they deserve? Let's face it: Crafting compelling titles is an art form that can make or break your podcast's success. In many cases, it's the next to last thing we do in our episode process. In today's digital landscape, where listeners are bombarded with endless options, your episode titles must work overtime to grab attention and entice clicks.

Your episode title is the first impression you make on potential listeners. It's your chance to stand out in a sea of content and convince someone to press play. But here's the kicker: a great title isn't just about attracting listeners – it's also crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) on your podcast website.

Think of your episode title as a double agent. On one hand, it's working to captivate human eyes and ears. On the other hand, it sends signals to search engines about what your content is all about. By mastering the art of title creation, you're setting yourself up for success on both fronts.

When it comes to SEO, the placement of your keywords matters. Search engines give more weight to words that appear early in your title. So, instead of burying your main topic at the end, could you bring it to the forefront?

For example, instead of "Episode 16: An Interview with Marketing Guru Jane Smith," try "Marketing Strategies Unveiled: Jane Smith Shares Industry Secrets."

Pro tip: While keyword placement is important, don't sacrifice readability or natural language. Your title should still make sense and appeal to human readers first.

Certain words and phrases have a knack for grabbing attention and sparking curiosity. Incorporate power words and modifiers to give your titles extra oomph:

• Best
• Ultimate
• Essential
• Proven
• Insider
• Revealed
• Step-by-Step

1. Prioritize Keywords

- Place your main keywords at the beginning of the title for maximum SEO impact.

2. Leverage Power Words

- Incorporate attention-grabbing words like "best," "ultimate," and "proven" to make your titles more compelling.

3. Solve a Problem or Promise Value

- Clearly communicate the benefit listeners will gain from tuning in to your episode.

4. Keep it Concise

- Aim for titles under 60 characters to ensure full visibility across platforms. (per backlinko)

Bonus Tip: Harness the Power of Questions

- Use the actual question your episode answers as the title for improved searchability.

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Website Resources

Listen to Podcast Website Tips: Growing Your Podcast via the Web

Backlinko

Semrush

Mangools

Today I look at using subdomains (this.website.com) for your podcast.

A subdomain is something like tv.apple.com where TV is the subdomain.

You have a topic that doesn't mesh with your brand on your main website.

Your workflow prohibits you from adding it to your main website.

If you've had your main website and don't want to have to redirect the old site to look at the subdomain.

Quit answer is no. They do treat them like a separate website.

With this in mind backlinks to the subdomain don't necessarily boost the SEO of the main website. (Neil Patel said that 90% of the SEO will flow into the main website).

You want to lessen the number of distractions on your site, so you put your podcast in a subdomain. This way the main website is all about converting your sails.

Make your subdomain and main site look very similar so the visitor doesn't get confused.

Join the School of Podcasting

Website Resources

Listen to Podcast Website Tips: Growing Your Podcast via the Web

Google saying subdomains are OK

Neil Patel on Subdomains.

Organic search is powerful. Why? Because it is FREE. This is why we all search for it. The days of keyword stuffing are behind us. Now we need to look at search intent.

First, integrate keywords effectively in your URL, page titles, headings, and the first paragraph of your content.

Second, ensure the quality and consistency of your content, aiming for high-quality material that readers are likely to share and that meets Google's standards.

Third, maintain an excellent user experience with a secure website, free of broken pages, and easy-to-read text.

Fourth, focus on the technical SEO aspects, like having a secure HTTPS site and avoiding 404 errors.

Finally, ensure your site is mobile-friendly, with readable text and easily tappable buttons to accommodate users on different devices.

Mentioned in this episode:

Podpage Makes Everything About Your Website Easier

I recently switched media hosts. One show used WordPress and the Other Used Podpage. When you redirect the show, the podpage website updates automatically. The other show on WordPress has all the previous episodes updated manually. Podpage is made for podcasters, and it makes EVERYTHING easier. Check it out at www.trypodpage.com

Podpage

What are your personal experiences with Google search results, and have you noticed any unusual or inconsistent AI-generated responses lately?

With search engines constantly evolving, you might find yourself straying from Google and exploring alternatives like Bing and DuckDuckGo. In this episode, we'll dive into the pros and cons of these search engines and guide you through how to get your website listed on them. Whether you're frustrated with Google's overflowing ads or curious about Bing's potential earnings, we've got you covered. Plus, we'll discuss the importance of sitemaps and how to ensure your site stays indexed, so your audience can easily find you no matter where they search. Stay tuned as we navigate the world beyond Google!

Join the School of Podcasting

Website Resources

Listen to Your Podcast Website

Bing Webmaster Tools

https://www.bing.com/webmaster/about

Google Search Console

https://search.google.com/search-console

Namecheap

https://supportthisshow.com/namecheap

Coolerwebsites.com

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than 5 questions and works great on your phone or computer.

Episode Survey

Got a Comment? Leave it at www.yourpodcastwebsite.com/voicemail

Video on Adding Your Website to Bing

Video on Adding Your Website to Google

Mentioned in this episode:

Podpage Takes the Hassle Out of Websites

Podpage makes websites for PODCASTERS. It has so many features, including: Built-in SEO features Built-in voicemail page Built-in Follow page (keep traffic on your site). Give podpage a try to test it out.

Podpage