Better Radio Websites

Hosted by Jim Sherwood

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Episodes

229

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The podcast for radio professionals who want to see their website generate more traffic and revenue. Each week your host, Jim Sherwood, and his special guests give you time-tested tips and secret tricks to ensure your radio station dominates digital in your market.

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60 recent

August 10, 2026Episode 23124 min

The Local Image Library Every Radio Station Should Be Building

When breaking news happens in your community, do you already have the photo you need—or does someone start scrambling through Google, Facebook, stock photography and AI-generated images looking for something that will work? Radio stations have an incredible opportunity to build their own libraries of authentic local images. Your staff is already driving past courthouses, schools, police and fire stations, landmarks, businesses, stadiums and community events every day. The problem has never really been taking the pictures. It’s everything that has to happen afterward to get those pictures off someone’s phone and onto the station website. In this episode, we talk about why every radio station should be steadily building a local image library before those photos are needed. We also look at how those images can make local news coverage faster, eliminate many copyright concerns, and eventually create a valuable visual archive of the community your station serves. Then, I’ll show you CaptureRelay , an app we built specifically to remove the friction between taking a picture and getting it into WordPress. I’ll walk through the CaptureRelay WordPress plugin, connect a mobile device, take and title a photo, and show you how quickly it arrives properly optimized in the website’s Media Library. CaptureRelay works with WordPress websites whether you're a Skyrocket Radio affiliate or not. Get CaptureRelay: https://capturerelay.app More notes and information from this episode: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/231 Looking for a modern website platform built specifically for radio stations? https://www.skyrocketradio.com

July 27, 2026Episode 2308 min

Ensure your Mobile App is on Your Digital Inventory List

Most radio stations have a well-defined inventory sheet for on-air commercials, sponsorships, and stopsets. But what about your digital products? More specifically, your mobile app? In this episode, I explain why your mobile app shouldn't be treated as a separate product that only one person on staff understands. Instead, it should become another section of your station's Digital Inventory List alongside your website, newsletters, podcasts, streaming, and other digital assets. When every advertising opportunity is documented before a salesperson walks into a client's office, your team presents a more professional, consistent, and confident digital strategy. I also share why it's important to be exhaustive the first time you build your inventory list, how to uncover sponsorship opportunities hidden throughout your app, why advertisers care more about where a promotion leads than where it appears, and how a simple inventory document can eliminate confusion between sales, programming, and your digital team. For a deeper dive into building your station's Digital Inventory List and identifying mobile app sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/230 If you're evaluating a mobile app for your station, take a look at our fully integrated platform. Unlike standalone app providers, our mobile apps and websites are managed from a single dashboard with one login, making it easy to keep your entire digital presence synchronized while creating new opportunities for advertisers. Learn more here: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/radio-station-apps Our integrated approach helps radio stations simplify day-to-day management while creating a stronger digital experience for listeners and advertisers alike.

July 12, 2026Episode 22915 min

How to Extend the Life and Value of Every Remote Broadcast

Radio remotes don’t have to end when the van pulls away. In this episode, I share a simple strategy to turn every remote into lasting content that continues benefiting your listeners, advertisers, and website long after the broadcast is over. We’ll discuss how to build a single event page that evolves before, during, and after the remote, why your website should be part of every promotion, and how to uncover valuable evergreen content—even if the weather turns bad or hardly anyone shows up. Sometimes the biggest opportunity isn’t the crowd… it’s the access you have to local experts. For expanded show notes, examples, and resources, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/229 If you’re ready to upgrade your radio station’s website, mobile app, or overall digital presence, learn more at: https://www.skyrocketradio.com

June 29, 2026Episode 22813 min

Your Station Website Needs Local Good News

Everyone likes hearing good news, and radio has always been great at sharing it. The problem is that most of those stories disappear after a single break. In this episode, we talk about creating a Local Good News section on your station’s website and why it can become one of your most valuable content features. You’ll learn: Why your station is already producing great community stories every week. The types of good news that listeners enjoy reading and sharing. How a single on-air mention can become evergreen website content. Ways to encourage listeners to submit stories from your community. Why good news builds audience loyalty and attracts sponsors. Why you should start with one simple section instead of creating Teacher of the Month, Hometown Hero, Volunteer Spotlight, and other features all at once. A simple Good News section gives your station a place to celebrate the people, organizations, businesses, schools, and volunteers who make your community special, while creating content that continues working long after it airs. For more in-depth notes and examples from this episode, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/228 If you’re ready to upgrade your station’s website or mobile app, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com

June 15, 2026Episode 22721 min

Turn Every Podcast Transcript Into a Website Article

Most radio stations are leaving valuable podcast content on the table. In this episode, we discuss how to turn podcast transcripts into website articles that attract more visitors, improve search visibility, and help listeners discover your content long after the episode is published. You’ll learn why your station website should be the permanent home for the meaning and context behind your podcasts, while your podcast host continues to handle audio distribution. We cover: • Why podcast episodes shouldn’t live only on third-party platforms • How to transform transcripts into reader-friendly articles • A simple structure for podcast recap posts • Adding local context, links, and key takeaways • Where to place embedded players for the best user experience • A practical workflow your team can repeat every week • How transcript articles help search engines and AI answer tools understand your content If you’re already putting in the work to create podcasts, this episode will help you get more long-term value from every recording. For complete show notes, examples, and links mentioned in this episode, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/227 . Ready to get more from your station website? Learn more about Skyrocket Radio’s website and digital content solutions at: https://www.skyrocketradio.com .

June 1, 2026Episode 22621 min

Google Changed Search. Here’s What Radio Stations Need To Do Right Now

Google just made its biggest change to search in more than 25 years. Instead of showing a list of websites, Google is increasingly providing AI-generated answers. That means the question for radio stations is no longer “How do I rank higher?” It’s “Can Google understand my website well enough to use it as a trusted source?” In this episode of Better Radio Websites, Jim Sherwood explores what Google’s AI-powered search means for radio stations and the practical steps stations should be taking right now. Topics include: Why AI search changes the way listeners discover local information Making your website easier for Google and AI systems to understand Common content mistakes that limit visibility in AI search Improving accessibility and content structure Using schema markup and JSON-LD to identify your station, frequency, format, and coverage area Creating answer-focused content that serves both listeners and search engines Building valuable content for advertisers, not just listeners Turning your station website into a trusted local knowledge base Why consistency and regular publishing matter more than ever The stations that succeed in the AI era won’t necessarily be the ones with the biggest budgets. They’ll be the stations that consistently publish useful local content and make it easy for search engines to understand. If your website is still functioning like a digital brochure, this episode will help you rethink how it should serve your audience—and how Google will see it moving forward. For links and more show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/226 . And if you need a station website that has all of the necessary backend tools to ensure you're accessibility compliant and that you have the proper foundation to be found in this new search era, please reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com .

May 18, 2026Episode 22521 min

The Clock Is Ticking on Radio Station Website Accessibility

Today’s episode of the Better Radio Websites podcast takes a deep dive into website accessibility for radio stations and why ADA compliance, WCAG standards, and accessible website design are becoming critical topics for broadcasters, media companies, and digital content teams. We discuss what website accessibility actually means, how screen readers and assistive technologies navigate websites, and why many radio station websites unintentionally create barriers for users with disabilities. Topics include alt text, keyboard navigation, website structure, readable content, mobile accessibility, color contrast, accessible media players, and how accessibility affects usability, SEO, and audience engagement. This episode also covers the recent ADA Title II accessibility deadline extension for government websites, the growing legal expectations surrounding digital accessibility, and why private businesses — including radio stations — should not ignore accessibility compliance even if the federal deadlines do not directly apply to them. We also talk about: * WCAG 2.1 AA standards * ADA website compliance * Accessibility lawsuits and legal risks * Screen reader software * Accessible website content strategies * Radio station website best practices * Accessibility training for content teams * SEO and accessibility connections * Mobile app accessibility * Why accessibility improvements benefit all users If your station website has not been updated in years, if your content team has never been trained on accessibility best practices, or if you’re evaluating your current radio website provider, this episode is an important listen. If your station is not on a platform that prioritizes accessibility, or if you’re looking to upgrade your website presence, please reach out to us at: https://www.skyrocketradio.com For more detailed show notes, links, and resources related to this episode, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/225

May 4, 2026Episode 22413 min

Single Focus: Social Media on Your Homepage

It’s easy to assume that embedding your social media feed on your homepage makes your site feel more active. After all, it’s constantly updating, right? But here’s the catch: social media was never meant to be your destination—it’s a tool to drive people there. When you place a full feed on your homepage, you’re often giving visitors a reason to leave before they ever engage with your content. Even if links open in new tabs, the outcome is the same. You’ve interrupted their experience and handed their attention over to platforms designed to keep them scrolling somewhere else. There’s also a bigger strategic issue. A social feed might look like fresh content, but it doesn’t build your SEO, strengthen your site structure, or guide users deeper into your website. It’s a window into another platform—not a foundation for your own. And maybe most importantly, you’re creating competing calls-to-action. Should visitors explore your site… or click away to Facebook or X? That split attention rarely works in your favor. A better approach? Treat social media like the billboard it is. Use it to get people to your website, then make your homepage focused, intentional, and built around what you want visitors to do next . Because at the end of the day, your website is the one place where you control the experience—and that’s where real engagement happens. Get more show notes at https://www.skyrockegtradio.com/224 . Need a website platform to engage listeners longer? Visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

April 20, 2026Episode 22313 min

Single Focus: Clean Your Navigation Menu

If your radio station website isn’t getting engagement, your navigation menu might be the problem. In this episode, we break down how to improve your radio station website by simplifying your navigation so listeners can quickly find what they need—like Listen Live, contests, and local content. This is a simple, high-impact fix that can help increase website traffic, boost listener engagement, and make your digital strategy easier to manage. We cover: - How to fix a cluttered website navigation menu - Why too many menu items hurt user experience and reduce clicks - The mistake radio stations make by over-branding menu items like “MYStation Contests” - How to structure your website navigation for better usability and engagement Plus, a step-by-step plan you can implement this week: 1. Remove outdated or unused pages from your menu 2. Rename menu items for clarity and simplicity 3. Make “Listen Live” and “Contests” easy to find 4. Reduce menu clutter to improve user experience If your audience can’t find it in five seconds, it might as well not exist—and that applies to every radio station website.Get the full show notes here: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/233 . Need a better radio station website platform built for content, engagement, and easy-to-sell digital campaigns? Check out: https://www.skyrocketradio.com

April 6, 2026Episode 22213 min

Single Focus: Turn One Client Into a Digital Package

If digital feels complicated or hard to sell, this episode simplifies everything. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire strategy, we focus on one thing you can do this week: take one existing client and turn them into a simple, effective digital package. In this episode, we break down a mindset shift that makes digital easier for your sales team to understand by comparing your website to another radio station in your cluster. When you look at banner ads like commercials and ad placements like stop sets, it all starts to click. We also walk through why most stations struggle with digital, and how to fix it by connecting your website directly to what’s happening on-air. You’ll learn a simple 6-step approach you can implement immediately: - Pick the right client who already trusts you - Build a simple package that mirrors what you already sell on-air - Tie the campaign to something real like a promotion or event - Use your signal to drive traffic to your website - Keep the message clear and focused -Measure one result and share it with your client This is not about doing more. It’s about doing one thing well, then repeating it. If you’ve ever seen your sales team hesitate when digital comes up, this approach will help build confidence and create momentum—one client at a time. Get the full show notes and follow along here: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/222 And if your station needs a website platform built for content, engagement, and easy-to-sell digital campaigns, reach out to us at: https://www.skyrocketradio.com