Podcast App Development Guide

Ever thought about developing a podcast app?

In 2023, it’s an excellent idea. With the increasing popularity of podcasts among both the younger generation and all genders, the industry is growing at an amazing rate.

Podcast apps like podcast addiction, overcast, and Pocket Casts have inspired a lot of people from across the world to invest in podcast app development.

So, how do you do it? As you might assume, there’s a lot that goes into creating a podcast app. But in this blog, we shall be discussing all of this.

Therefore, with this said, let’s start by having a peek into the podcast industry.

The Growing Trend of Podcasts

The concept of podcasting has been around for some time now. And this time, the industry as a whole has grown quite a lot.

For instance, according to the Infinite Dial, more than 62% or 177 million US citizens listen to podcasts.

Moving to the global scale, there are over 424 million people lasting to podcasts, as per Insider Intelligence.

Moreover, the 26% of people who listened to podcast just last week averaged around 8 podcasts. In addition to this, as time progresses, the use of podcast apps will only grow.

The best part is, all of the podcasts are heard or at least the majority of them are browsed through mobile phones.

So, let’s see what exactly the podcast apps are:

What’s A Podcast App?

The term “podcast app” refers to the mobile-based software which allows users to look for podcasts, subscribe to channels, save them offline, or listen to podcasts with the in-built player.

In layman’s terms, these apps allow users to find and listen to podcasts as simple as that. Though with the popularity of podcast apps, this is not something that needs to be explained.

This brings us to our next question, why you should consider app development for podcasts. Let’s see what these are:

App Development, Podcast. Why You Should Consider It?

Should you consider developing a podcast app? The answer is yes, you should. There is more than one reason to invest in podcast app development.

So let’s get right into it, starting with:

1. It’s A Trend

It goes without saying that podcasting is a trending topic. There are a lot of people, millions who listen to podcasts.

With this, the use of podcast apps is growing popular among users. So, by developing a podcast app you can tap into the potential of this market.

2. Revenue Generation Opportunity

Speaking of tapping into market potential, let us tell you, there’s a lot of money to be made in the podcast app development industry.

With the right idea and the right development partner, you can create a market-leading podcast app that helps your business grow.

3. Low-Investment High-Return Business Idea

Last but not least, podcast app development only requires low investment, but when you talk about return, it can be in the millions.

Not to mention the fact that it helps your business grow in many ways. Thus, a big reason to create a podcast app of your own.

Now, if you are someone who wants to create a podcast app, it’s a good idea to learn from the best in the market. So, let’s look at some of the best podcast apps for Android and iOS.

The Best Podcast Apps For iPhone & Android

When you want to develop a podcast app of your own, it’s a good idea to learn from the best ones in the market. So, to give you an idea of what you will be competing against, let’s look at these apps below:

1. Apple Podcasts – Best Podcast App For iPhone

If you have an iPhone, you already have access to Apple Podcasts. More than 2.5 million podcasts are on Apple podcasts.

Moreover, this app is free and comes preinstalled on all iPhones. The platform has a user-friendly interface and allows you to subscribe to your favorite podcasts, download episodes, and listen to them offline.

2. Google Podcasts – Best Podcast App For Android

Google Podcasts is the default podcast app for Android users. It is free and offers a simple interface with basic features such as subscribing to podcasts and downloading episodes for offline listening.

3. Overcast

Overcast is another popular podcast app for iPhone users. It has a sleek interface and offers features such as voice boost, smart speed, and the ability to create custom playlists.

In addition to this podcast app is free but also offers a paid version with additional features.

4. Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts is a feature-packed podcast app that is available for both iPhone and Android. It offers a clean interface, cross-device syncing, and the ability to trim silence from episodes. While the app is not exactly free, it is something that’s worth the payment.

5. Spotify

While not exclusively a podcast app, Spotify is a popular platform for listening to podcasts. The app is free and offers a vast selection of podcasts to choose from.

It also allows you to create custom playlists and download episodes for offline listening.

These are some of the best podcast applications. With this being said, let’s move to the next section where we shall be discussing some important features that you should include in your podcast app.

Important Features For Successful Podcast App Development

When it comes to a super interactive app like the one we are talking about. Therefore, if you want to create a successful podcast app, here are some features that you should consider including in your app:

• User-Friendly Interface
• Personalization
• Search and Discovery
• Social Sharing
• Notifications
• Analytics
• In-built music player
• Save podcasts offline
• Custom alert
• Payment Gateway Integration

These are some of the features to include. And with this out of the way, let’s see how to create a podcast app of your own.

Developing a Podcast App: Step-by-Step Guide

How do you create a podcast app?

It’s quite simple. In this section, we shall be discussing the entire step-by-step process. So let’s get right into it:

Step 1. Start With An Idea

The first thing you do is a Startup idea.

There are variations of the podcast that you can convert into a mobile app. For instance, you can create a podcast maker app.

Moving on, brainstorming here is very important.

Once this is done, let’s move to the next step…

Step 2. Market Research

Time to look at the market. Here you see what competitors are doing, who your target audience, what the market opening is, and so on.

All in all, mobile app market research plays a very important role in creating the base for podcast app development.

With this done, let’s find an app developer partner.

Step 3. Hire Mobile App Developers

To create a podcast app, you need to hire app developers.

Well, it’s easy to find a developer. Some of the most common methods are, as mentioned below:

• Outsource to an app development company
• Hire freelancers
• Assemble in-house team

This is how you can hire developers. But that’s not the difficult part.

Rather, the hard part is selecting the right development company. For that, there are some things that you should keep in mind.

This includes things like their past work, experience, expertise, communication, and so on. In any case, once this is done, here’s what we do next.

Step 4. Create A Plan

It’s time to create a plan.

Some of the things that you need to deal with here are.

• Choose an app development platform
• Build a tech stack
• Create a road map

Once this is done, we can start the real work. First, we shall create the design for the app and then the app itself.

Step 5. UI/UX Designing

To create a successful podcast app, follow these steps:

• Research and Analysis: understand the target audience, needs, and competition.
• Sketching and Wireframing: visualize the design and create a low-fidelity prototype.
• Prototyping: create a high-fidelity prototype to identify potential issues.
• Design and Development: create the final design and develop the app according to UX best practices.

By following these steps, a great UI/UX design can be achieved for a successful podcast app.

Step 6. Podcast App Development

With the design in your hand, it’s time to write the source code for your app.

This is by far the most time-consuming and resource-intensive process. For that reason, it is recommended that you maintain good communication channels with the developers.

Step 7. Testing

Once the app is made, you have to test it. While testing is something that goes on during the entire process, the app has to be tested one final time before it is deployed in the market.

Mobile app testing is important to ensure the app is up to industrial standards and customer demand.

Step 8. Deployment

Finally, it’s time to launch the app in the market.

The process to submit the app to the Google Play Store and the process to post iOS app on the app store is a little different.

In any case, it will take 2 weeks to accept or reject it. After this, it’s time to start maintenance services and market the app.

Step 9. App Maintenance

A mobile app maintenance service plays an important role in deciding the success of the podcast app.

Therefore, if you want to make your solution successful, always consider maintenance services after developing a podcast app.

Step 10. Market The Podcast App

To take your business to people, it’s important to market your app. There are various mobile app marketing strategies that you can consider.

Moving on, after this, we are done with the podcast app development.

Tech Stack for Podcast App Development

If you are developing a podcast app, one important thing to consider is the tech stack. Take a look at some of the common technology stacks for music streaming app development below:

1. Programming Language

The choice of programming language is crucial for developing a podcast app. Some of the most popular programming languages for podcast app development are:

• Swift: Swift is the programming language used for iOS app development. It is a powerful language and has a lot of features that make it a popular choice for developing a podcast app.
• Java: Java is a popular choice for Android app development. It has a large community and is very reliable.
• React Native: React Native is a cross-platform technology that allows developers to build apps using JavaScript. It is known for its fast development time and is a popular choice for podcast app development.

2. Backend Technology

Backend technology is responsible for managing the app’s data and functionality. Some of the popular backend technologies for podcast app development are:

• Firebase: Firebase is a backend technology that offers a range of services such as real-time database, authentication, and hosting. It is easy to use and has great documentation.
• AWS: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud-based backend technology that offers a range of services for app development. It is secure, scalable, and reliable.
• Node.js: Node.js is a popular backend technology that allows developers to build scalable and fast applications. It is often used with MongoDB for data storage.

3. Database

The choice of database is important for storing and managing the app’s data. Some of the most popular database options for podcast app development are:

• MongoDB: MongoDB is a NoSQL database that is widely used for app development. It is scalable, flexible, and easy to use.
• SQLite: SQLite is a lightweight database that is often used for mobile app development. It is fast and reliable.
• PostgreSQL: PostgreSQL is a powerful and open-source database that is known for its reliability and robustness.

4. Hosting

Hosting is important for making the app accessible to users. Some of the most popular hosting options for podcast app development are:

• Firebase Hosting: Firebase Hosting is a hosting service provided by Firebase. It is easy to use and offers great performance.
• AWS Amplify: AWS Amplify is a hosting service provided by AWS. It is secure and scalable.
• Heroku: Heroku is a cloud-based hosting platform that is easy to use and offers great performance.

Can You Make Money With Podcast App?

Yes, you can.

In fact, it’s very simple to apply app monetization strategies to podcast apps. Though this is something that you have to keep in mind when you are developing the podcast app.

In any case, let’s see what some of the strategies are to apply in your own podcast app.

• Advertising
• Sponsorship deals
• Subscription-based content
• Offering premium features and exclusive content to paid subscribers
• Partnering with podcasters to offer paid access to their content through the app

Cost To Build A Podcast App

So, how much does it cost to build a podcast app?

App development costs across various niches depend on a range of factors. For instance, the complexity of the app, the features, size, testing tools, and so on.

Nevertheless, on average the cost to create a podcast app ranges from $10,000 to $45,000 depending on project specification.

For more details on the same, it’s recommended that you consult a mobile app development company.

Conclusion

With the growing demand for podcast apps, there are a lot of businesses that are considering developing a podcast app. If you are one of these, it’s highly recommended that you follow the instructions provided in this blog. For more information, you should contact a renowned app development firm as they will be able to provide you with more details based on your project specifications.

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Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.