Simplecast Essentials
Independent Podcasters
For Networks & Shows
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If you’re new to the podcast hosting and creation world, you might worry most about finding the perfect hosting platform for your show. With so many to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? We’re pretty confident in Simplecast, but we don’t blame you for doing your research!
When you’re deciding on a hosting platform, you want one with years of expertise with hosting podcasts. Although Red Circle has many useful features, like basic analytics and no long-term contracts, it is a fairly new platform, having just launched April 2019.
If you are looking for a platform that has been established and also has testimonials from clients who’ve used it, Simplecast is the better option. With over six years of experience, the hosting platform is better prepared to handle any issues that may arise during the podcast creation process.
Price
While the word “free” might sound appealing to some podcast creators, you should take care to read the fine print. So, sure: Red Circle is free.
What really are the terms here? Red Circle promises “No hidden fees, no complex contracts, own your content.” Their terms of service is basic but bears this out. The one thing that isn’t borne out is: how exactly is Red Circle sustaining itself? The company will eventually, at some point, start taking a cut of advertising deals it brokers on its platform, but that hasn’t happened yet–and it means that Red Circle has to bank on landing a small show that explodes quickly in order to get advertising deals. This is difficult for a lot of reasons, but the one that matters for creators is that, at this point, it seems like Red Circle could evaporate at any moment.
Analytics
We know that ever podcast creator has to start somewhere, but it’s much easier to get from “somewhere” to 10k downloads a month if you have all the information about your podcast’s performance at your fingertips! That’s why Simplecast is proud to offer industry-leading, innovative analytics–in the past year, we’ve brought podcast creators Unique Listeners and drop-off/completion rates, as well as the ability to see which embed locations are driving the most traffic. Not only that, but our analytics are backed by IAB Certification, the industry’s benchmark for accuracy and trustworthiness. We understand why some creators may not feel that they need in-depth analytics when they’re first launching their show, but we’d never suggest that they should go with un-certified ones.