Who would have thought that podcasts would take off the way they did?
The humble podcast has been around since 2004, when Apple made them a thing with their ultra-successful iPod. But it took over a decade for podcasts to really explode into the mainstream.
And there doesn’t seem to be any sign of slowing either, with 2018 being the biggest growth year yet for podcasting.
A big reason for this is that people are looking for alternative ways to consume content. With our daily commutes growing longer and more painful by the week, we’re all trying to find ways to use that time more wisely.
And podcasts are a great way to do that.
Now, while most web designers have the luxury of working from home in their PJ’s and Captain America slippers, many still enjoy listening to podcasts while doing other mundane activities like working out, cleaning or doing the dishes.
Web designers like me.
The following are the 5 web design podcasts I listen to in such situations. (and what I feel to be the best podcasts for web designers)
WP Elevation
WP Elevation is my favorite podcast centered around web design. It is an interview-centric podcast, with the host interviewing a guest who is heavily involved in the web design industry in each episode.
While it focuses specifically on WordPress, and what it takes to build a successful web design business with it, much of the information they share is applicable to any other web design platform you choose to use.
Host Troy Dean has clearly put a lot of effort into crafting his interviewing skills, and the show consistently manages to book high-profile and interesting guests.
WP Elevation is also one of the most consistent web design podcasts out there, publishing a new episode (nearly) every week like clockwork.
Do You Even Blog?
Love me some Pete.
Yes, Do You Even Blog is not centered specifically around web design, and instead focuses on the fine art of blogging.
But if you’re trying to grow your web design business, you need to be blogging. Straight up.
Blogging, and content marketing in general, is how I have been able to grow my own web design business from absolutely nothing in just a few short years.
And learning about blogging will inevitably help you improve your user experience design in your websites. Blogging is all about the UX.
If you want to improve your blogging skills, there’s no better expert to turn to than Pete McPherson of Do You Even Blog. The man is obsessed with all things “blogosphere”.
No, he’s not one of the big-name hot shots you hear all the time around the interwebs, but he will be one day. Mark my words.
His podcast is engaging, entertaining and practical. And Pete’s personality is lovably goofy and weird. I find myself listening to episodes that don’t apply to me in any way, just for the giggles.
Web design + blogging = ❤ Get onboard.
Agency Trailblazer
Agency Trailblazer hurt my feelings.
Just a mere couple of months after I launched my own podcast, I discovered that Agency Trailblazer had completely rebranded and redesigned their look. And it looked a lot like the design for my own podcast…
I will probably never know whether it was a blatant ripoff or just complete coincidence but, nevertheless, I try to give credit where credit is due. The podcast is good.
The format is very similar to WP Elevation’s, with the host Lee Jackson interviewing prominent industry experts.
However, I do find there tends to be a bit more fluff in the guest introductions, so I often find myself skipping forward to get to the meat of the interview.
If you’re struggling to grow your web design business, and are looking to get some fresh ideas, this podcast is for you.
ProBlogger
Pro Blogger is definitely the most famous of the podcasts listed here.
In fact, host Darren Rowse is arguably one of the most prominent experts in the online business world. His blog, that goes by the same name, is absolutely massive. It teaches people how to start and grow their own successful blogs.
The podcast follows the same theme, focusing on blogging rather than web design specifically. (did I mention how important blogging is to your web design business?)
Pro Blogger definitely takes a quality over quantity view to its content. They tend to publish their episodes on a very random schedule with large breaks in between. So if you’re looking for a regular web design podcast for your morning commute, this isn’t it.
But the content is stellar and definitely worth the wait.
Matt Report
Matt Report is a podcast centered around building a successful web design business with WordPress, along the lines of WP Elevation.
But it’s not the same as WP Elevation. The style, flow and content are very different.
While WP Elevation tends to focus on the business-side of running a web design agency, I’ve found the Matt Report often narrows in on the techy side of WordPress web design. They discuss things like plugins, themes and CMS’s much more frequently.
Host Matt Medeiros has been around the block once or twice. In addition to a successful career in web design, he now runs multiple podcasts and YouTube channels.
If you use WordPress to build websites, this one is a must-listen.
BONUS ROUND: Launchers!
What’s that? 5 podcasts for web designers isn’t enough? I agree.
As I mentioned earlier, I created my own web design podcast not too long ago.
Launchers is different in the sense that there are no interviews to be found here. Each episode is basically an audio version of my blog posts that I write here.
And you’ll also find a series of 1-on-1 live coaching sessions where I chat with newbie and wannabe web designers and help them with their biggest struggles.
I didn’t feel it was necessary to create yet another interview-centric podcast. I wanted to do it differently, and focus on quality storytelling and production. (nevermind the fact that I didn’t want to be bothered by the constant hustle of trying to book guests!)
I believe the future of content marketing is giving people options. If people want to follow my content, they can read my blog posts, listen to the podcasts, or watch the videos on YouTube.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can subscribe to Launchers right here.
