If you want your podcast to thrive, you must have a safe and secure home for it online! That's where podcast hosting companies like Buzzsprout come in.
Think of a reliable podcast hosting provider as the cornerstone for any successful podcast. Your podcast host will affect how much content you upload, plus how and where your listeners can find your show. With many hosting platforms available, it’s essential to understand what each offers. As one of the most popular platforms, Buzzsprout is an excellent place to start.
Our Buzzsprout review walks you through all its key features, pros, and cons. We’ll also show you how to get started with the platform.
What Is Buzzsprout?
The Buzzsprout podcast hosting site stores audio and video content online. (You probably recognize the Buzzsprout logo because the company has been providing dependable hosting services to podcasters and other content creators for over a decade.)
Buzzsprout acts as a one-stop-shop for podcast hosting, analytics, and monetization. Major podcast directories pick up content from hosting sites like Buzzsprout and distribute it to consumers. The hosting platform doesn’t just house your media files. Buzzsprout also provides a suite of solutions to simplify your editing and promotion processes.
Why Is Podcast Hosting Important?
Podcast hosting sites streamline your processes and make your content more accessible to more people, without a lot of technical knowledge. Some of the top benefits of using a podcast hosting service include:
High-quality audio and video for your podcast stored online for as long as you need. You don’t have to worry about compressing your files and sacrificing quality. Your audience will experience faster speeds and data transfers when accessing your show. Plus, your listeners won’t have to worry about buffering. They’ll enjoy a smooth experience when downloading or streaming your podcast.
Podcast hosting also provides analytics. You can see data on which platforms your listeners access your show from, which of your episodes are the most popular with your audience, and more. This way, you can improve your content by learning what your audience prefers.
What Is Buzzsprout Used For?
Buzzsprout hosts your content so that it can be picked up by podcast listening platforms and distributed to your audience. Podcasters need the following four things to be successful:
- Reliable podcast hosting services
- Versatile podcast recording software
- The right hardware (like microphones and audio mixers)
- Great content (they keep coming back for)
How To Get Started With Buzzsprout
After you’ve taken the initial steps to start a podcast, you’ll need to get your content online so your audience can find it. We’ll explain how to set up a new Buzzsprout podcast to start uploading episodes. We'll also cover how to import your podcast episodes from another hosting site to the Buzzsprout hosting platform.
Setting Up A New Show on Buzzsprout
You can set up a new podcast in Buzzsprout in just a couple of minutes using these steps:
Step 1: Create a Buzzsprout account and enter your name, email address, and password as prompted.
Step 2: Select "I'm a New Podcaster" if you're creating a completely new show, or select "I Already Have a Podcast" if you want to add your existing show.
Step 3: Follow the prompts, either adding your existing show or entering the title and description of your new podcast.
Step 4: In the dashboard select, "Upload a New Episode" to add episodes to your show.
How to Publish an Episode from Buzzsprout
Uploading a new podcast episode to Buzzsprout is simple and can be done in no time at all. Use these steps to publish a new episode with Buzzsprout with just a couple of clicks:
Step 1: Navigate to the “Episodes” page and click the “Upload a New Episode” button.
Step 2: Select and upload your audio file.
Step 3: Fill in the details for your podcast episode. Give it a title, write an informative description, and complete all other relevant fields. You can also create a cover with Buzzsprout's Canva integration.
Step 4: Select when you want your episode to be published. Buzzsprout provides future scheduling and backdating publishing options.
Step 5: Choose “Save Episode Details”.
Import Your Existing Podcast to Buzzsprout
You can easily migrate your existing podcast over to Buzzsprout if it’s already on a podcast hosting site. Follow these steps to move your episodes over to Buzzsprout if you already have your show hosted somewhere else:
Step 1: During your Buzzsprout signup, select “I Already Have a Podcast” when asked by the prompts if you’re new to podcasting or already have a show.
Step 2: Use Buzzsprout to locate your podcast in Apple Podcasts. Once you’ve found your show, click on your artwork to start migration.
Step 3: After your episodes get imported, review your ID3 tags and metadata.
Step 4: Redirect your feed so directories will let your listeners know where they can now find your podcast online. Make sure to update your RSS feed across all major directories.
Buzzsprout Features
Buzzsprout has features podcasters of every level will love. The software is intuitive and easy to use, which makes it great for beginners. The platform also has advanced features for the needs of more experienced podcasters. We’ve reviewed some of our favorite features from Buzzsprout that set it apart from other podcast hosting sites.
Magic Mastering Tool
Buzzsprout’s Magic Mastering feature streamlines the audio editing process. This means you can spend more time writing and recording and less time editing in post production. This feature is a lifesaver for podcasters who don’t have a lot of experience with audio engineering.
Magic Mastering enables you to optimize your recording for spoken word. The result is better encoding automatic edits that improve the sound quality of your audio files. You can quickly remove background noise and hissing, and automatically adjust music and voice volumes.
Buzzsprout Distribution Services
Buzzsprout’s “Directories” section provides instructions on how to get your show added to major online podcast directories. Find detailed, step-by-step instructions for listing your podcast on major listening platforms like Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Podchaser. List your show in as many podcast directories as possible to maximize your reach and expand your listening audience.
Buzzsprout makes it easy to share your content online on all major social media sites, including Facebook and YouTube. If you want to promote your show using email campaigns, Buzzsprout allows you to generate and copy email links with their paid plans.
Podcast Statistics Feature
Buzzsprout compiles statistics that include your most popular episodes by plays and the number of plays your podcast has gotten in the last 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, and over the entire lifetime of your show. So you can use the Buzzsprout podcast dashboard to understand the kind of content your listeners prefer.
Use the Buzzsprout dashboard to get in-depth analysis for each episode of your podcast. See which podcast listening platforms your audience is using and the type of devices (mobile vs. desktop) used to access your content. Other statistics include where your listeners live and the average number of plays for your most recent episodes.
Visual Soundbites
Video clips have proven to be the most engaging type of content for social media advertising and Buzzsprout gives you the ability to create them in no time at all. Buzzsprout lets you create short videos using sound clips from your podcast. Just select the start and end points for your audio clip and the art work to create a promotional video you can use on social media.
Chapter Markers
Podcast listeners love chapter markers because they provide more control over podcast content. Give your audience what they want! Buzzsprout lets you add and edit chapter markers directly in the platform so you don’t have to worry about it during the editing process.
Buzzsprout Pricing
Most podcast hosts charge by the megabyte, but Buzzsprout charges by the number of hours of content you upload every month. Buzzsprout has tiered pricing with three different paid subscription options. There's also a free podcast hosting plan with limited features.
All paid plans include a podcast website, custom embed players, podcast statistics, and distribution to major podcast directories. The paid plans also let you add Buzzsprout’s Magic Mastering tool to your subscription for an additional fee. Paid plans bill month-to-month, so you can cancel at any time.
If you don’t want to pay to use Buzzsprout, you can upload up to two hours of content each month for free. The free plan grants you access to advanced stats for your podcast and unlimited team members can be granted access to your podcast to work on it. The biggest drawback of the free plan is Buzzsprout will only host your podcast episodes for 90 days.
Buzzsprout’s paid plans all include unlimited storage and the ability to import podcast episodes from other sites for free. The major difference in the plans is the amount of content you can upload monthly and the cost to upload additional content beyond the plan upload limits.
The $12 /mo plan: Upload 3 hours of content and pay $4 per additional hour.
The $18 /mo plan: Upload 6 hours of content and pay $3 per additional hour.
The $24 /mo plan: Upload 12 hours of content and pay $2 per additional hour.
Have a clear idea of your upload needs and podcast budget before subscribing to a paid Buzzsprout podcast hosting plan. You shouldn’t pay for features you don’t need, but you also don’t want to incur additional monthly charges for exceeding your upload limit.
Buzzsprout Customer Support
Buzzsprout provides customer service primarily through email, so make sure you’re comfortable with this before signing up for a subscription or uploading content. Unfortunately Buzzsprout does not currently support a live chat feature, so you’ll have to wait for the answers to any questions you might have. The company says that they try to respond to all customer inquiries within an hour of receiving them.
One of the great features of Buzzsprout that often gets overlooked is its robust online community, full of podcasters willing to share their advice and experiences. The Buzzsprout Podcast Community Facebook page has over 23k members! They also have an informative blog, newsletter, and a “Help” section on their website that features user guides, videos, FAQs, and other resources for you to get the most from their product.
Buzzsprout Reviews
Buzzsprout has been around for a while and has built a good reputation for itself online. On TrustPilot.com, the company has over 1,000 reviews and 4.9 out of 5 stars! G2 users have reviewed Buzzsprout less frequently, but users on that site have given it a 5 out of 5 stars.
The company stands behind its hosting services and even has an entire page dedicated to customer reviews.
Customers love that the podcast hosting site provides outstanding quality and value for the prices they charge. We read through some online Buzzsprout reviews and picked out the key points to save you time:
Key Buzzsprout Pros From Reviews:
- “The software is easy to use to get a podcast set up and going”
- “Free website with all of the paid plans”
- “Easy to distribute your podcast to top podcast directories”
- “Advanced analytics and monetization to grow your podcast”
Key Buzzsprout Cons From Reviews:
- “You lose any unused upload time at the end of the month”
- “No monthly unlimited upload plans”
- “Limited website customization features”
Buzzsprout vs Libsyn
Where Buzzsprout wins: Those new to podcasting will appreciate the ease of use. Buzzsprout acts as a one-stop-shop for publishing, editing, and promotion. When it comes to features and usability, Buzzsprout wins easily.
Where Libsyn wins: If you need to upload a lot of content every month, Libsyn offers better value. Buzzsprout’s $18 /mo plan gives you 6 hours of upload time (about 150MB of data), while Libsyn’s $15/ mo plan lets you upload 250MB of data a month.
Buzzsprout vs Blubrry
Blubrry is a great option for podcast hosting, but its features cater to a certain podcast demographic. Learn more about how Buzzsprout and Blubrry compare:
Where Buzzsprout wins: Blubrry specifically targets Wordpress users and advanced podcasters, while Buzzsprout is a podcast host “for the people”. Buzzsprout beats out Blubrry when it comes to simplicity. You can use this host to produce quality content with little technical knowledge for any website or podcast directory.
Where Blubrry wins: Podcasters who use WordPress will get more from Blubrry and its easily-integratable PowerPress WordPress plugin.
Buzzsprout vs Podbean
Do you currently use Podbean for podcast hosting, but considering something new?? See what we think each host does the best:
Where Buzzsprout wins: Buzzsprout beats Podbean in the areas of monetization and advertising. This platform is set up a lot better for sharing your podcast on social media and affiliate marketing.
Where Podbean wins: Podbean’s business plan is miles ahead of anything Buzzsprout can offer comparatively. This plan best suits large companies that already have an established podcast.
Get Started With Podcast Hosting
Simple-to-use, Buzzsprout podcast hosting services are a great choice for podcasters at all levels. New podcasters like Buzzsprout because the platform is straightforward and easy to use. Experienced podcasters enjoy the advanced analytics, promotion, and monetization features. Overall, Buzzsprout provides great value through its affordable pricing and the features included in its monthly subscription fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about Buzzsprout or podcast hosting? Check our FAQ section for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Buzzsprout podcast hosting.
Which is Better: Podbean or Buzzsprout?
The right podcast host for your show will depend on factors like the amount of storage space you need, how much content you upload each month, and the type of advanced features you need.
What tools make your podcast look and sound amazing?
You can make your podcast look and sound amazing with the right microphone, camera, and podcast recording software. Do some research when choosing a podcast microphone or camera. Understand mic polar patterns and lighting techniques to get the most out of your equipment!
Does Buzzsprout upload to Spotify?
Yes, you can easily upload your podcast from Buzzsprout to Spotify using your RSS feed link.
Where should I publish my podcast?
Listeners have different preferences for where they listen to podcasts. Try to get your podcast into every podcast directory you can. Submit the RSS feed link provided by your host to as many listening platforms as possible.
Is Buzzsprout a good podcast host?
Buzzsprout is a good podcast host for new podcasters and podcast veterans. It’s intuitive and easy to use, but also has advanced features for audio engineering and podcast promotion.
What is a good platform for recording podcasts?
The best podcast recording platform will depend on the specific needs of your show and content. Riverside.fm has easy to use remote video recording software that lets you interview guests from all around the world. The platform records audio and video locally, which produces outstanding quality. Try it our yourself and start recording professional podcasts seamlessly.
Is Buzzsprout good for beginners?
Buzsprout is definitely a good option for beginner. It's easy to use and with it's free plan, you can deep your feet into podcasting without a heavy investment.
What’s the difference between a podcast host and directory?
A podcast host, like Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Libsyn, stores the audio and video files for your podcast episodes online. Your audience actually listens to your show on podcast directories, like iHeart Radio, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Want to read more on podcast hosting platforms? Check out our other reviews:
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