How to Create a Podcast Website (Step by Step)
TL;DR
- Gather RSS feed URL (host settings table below), listen links, and optional custom domain before you start.
- Import feed → pick template → add Home, Episodes, About, and per-episode pages → customize → publish → test sync on mobile.
- podcast.page pulls episodes from your existing host; optional SEO: formatted show notes, transcripts, Search Console.
You want a sequence that ends with a live URL, not a theory essay on why websites matter. The efficient path below assumes you already publish episodes through a host and have an RSS feed.
If you are still deciding whether you need a site at all, read does a podcast need a website first. Otherwise, start here.
What you need before you start
Gather four items. The process moves faster when they are ready in one tab.
Your podcast RSS feed URL. The feed is what populates your site. Where to find it depends on your host:
| Host | Where the RSS feed usually lives |
|---|---|
| Buzzsprout | Settings → Feed |
| Transistor | Settings → Publishing → RSS feed |
| Captivate | Settings → Distribution |
| Podbean | Settings → Feed |
| Simplecast | Settings → Distribution |
| RSS.com | Dashboard → show Settings |
Paste the feed URL into your browser once to confirm it returns XML with your latest episode title.
Cover art and show description. Usually imported from the feed, but fix typos in your host first so you do not re-edit on the website.
Listen links. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you want subscribers to land. Grab directory URLs from your host's distribution screen or each platform's search.
A domain (optional). Launch on a free subdomain, then connect yourshow.com via a CNAME or A record at your registrar when ready (your builder's docs will list the target hostname).
[Screenshot: podcast host dashboard showing RSS feed URL]
Step 1: Choose the type of site you are building
Pick the smallest structure that matches how you promote the show.
Full show website: homepage, episode archive, individual episode pages, about, contact. Best for email, search, and long-term archives.
Landing page / link-in-bio: one scrollable page with your pitch, latest episodes, and listen links. Best for social bios and paid ads.
Video podcast site: same as above with video embeds on episode pages. Confirm your builder supports video if that is your primary format.
You can expand a landing page into a full site later. Starting simple is valid.
Step 2: Import your RSS feed
Sign up for podcast.page or an equivalent tool and paste your RSS URL. A good importer pulls in:
- Show title and author
- Cover image
- Show description
- Published episodes with titles, dates, descriptions, and audio enclosures
Wait for the import to finish before you edit layout. Otherwise you are designing around empty placeholders.
[Screenshot: RSS import form with successful import confirmation]
Step 3: Pick a template and core pages
Choose a layout built for podcasts, not a generic business homepage. Templates should already include episode lists, listen link sections, and space for show notes.
Enable or create these pages at minimum:
| Page | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Home | One-sentence hook, latest episode player, subscribe badges above the fold |
| Episodes | Reverse-chronological archive with dates and short descriptions |
| Episode detail | Player, formatted show notes, shareable URL per episode |
| About | Host bio, photo, why the show exists |
| Subscribe (optional hub) | All directory links in one place for link-in-bio traffic |
| Start Here (optional) | 3–5 best episodes for new listeners (interview and educational shows) |
| Contact / Sponsors | Form or email if you take inquiries |
[Screenshot: template gallery showing homepage + episode page preview]
Our how to create a podcast website landing guide covers the same flow with template-specific detail if you want a parallel reference.
Step 4: Customize branding
Adjust colors, fonts, and section order to match your cover art and social profiles. Keep contrast readable on mobile.
Replace placeholder copy on the homepage hero. One sentence on who the show serves and what they get from listening is enough.
Reorder sections so the primary action (listen or subscribe) appears early on small screens.
[Screenshot: template customization panel with colors and typography]
Step 5: Add listen links and key sections
Place platform badges where a new visitor will see them without hunting.
Useful sections to toggle on:
- Latest episode highlight
- Episode grid or list
- Newsletter signup
- Host bio
- Social links
Skip sections you will not maintain. An empty testimonials block hurts more than leaving it out.
Step 6: Connect a custom domain (when ready)
Launch on the provided subdomain first if you want to verify everything works. When you are ready for branding, point DNS to your builder following their custom domain instructions.
Custom domains usually require a paid plan. The upgrade is worth it when you share the URL on business cards, email signatures, and show notes consistently.
Step 7: Publish and test on mobile
Before you announce the site:
- Open the homepage on your phone
- Play an episode from an episode page
- Tap each listen link and confirm it opens the right app or store listing
- Share one episode URL in a message to see the preview card
Publish a test episode on your host (or wait for your next release) and confirm it appears on the site without manual edits. Most hosts refresh the public RSS feed within minutes, but allow up to an hour before assuming sync failed. Automatic episode sync is the main reason to use a feed-driven builder instead of pasting HTML by hand.
[Screenshot: episode sync, new episode appearing on site after RSS update]
Step 8: Point your promotion to one URL
Update social bios, email footers, and link-in-bio tools to the new site. Use episode pages when you promote individual episodes so listeners land on a player plus show notes.
If you embed players elsewhere (a blog, press page, or Squarespace site), see how to embed a podcast on a website for the technical options.
Optional: SEO steps worth doing once
You do not need these to launch, but they separate sites that rank from sites that merely exist:
- Format show notes into short paragraphs with links (not one RSS blob).
- Add transcripts on episode pages when you have them; long transcripts can live on a linked subpage.
- Use descriptive episode titles in the host before sync (not only "Episode 47").
- Request indexing in Google Search Console after you connect a custom domain.
[Screenshot: episode page with formatted show notes and player]
Common mistakes to avoid
Manual episode uploads. If you are copying show notes every week, you picked the wrong workflow. Fix the RSS connection or switch tools.
No episode pages. A single wall of links is hard to share and weak for search. Give each episode its own URL.
Hidden subscribe buttons. Listeners should not need to scroll to the footer to find Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Ignoring show notes formatting. Break long RSS descriptions into short paragraphs and links before publish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to create a podcast website?
With RSS import and templates, many podcasters publish a usable site in under an hour. Custom domains, copywriting, and extra pages add time.
Can I create a podcast website without coding?
Yes. Podcast-specific builders are designed for non-developers. Code is optional if you want advanced embeds or custom tracking.
Do I need a new hosting provider for my audio?
No. Your podcast host stays the same. The website reads your existing RSS feed; it does not replace audio hosting.
What if I change podcast hosts later?
Update your RSS feed URL in the website builder after you migrate. Episode history should re-import from the new feed; verify episode URLs and redirects if you change domains.