Better Radio Websites

Jim Sherwood

5.0 (1)
Technology

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.

Jun 1

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 informationMaking your website easier for Google and AI systems to understandCommon content mistakes that limit visibility in AI searchImproving accessibility and content structureUsing schema markup and JSON-LD to identify your station, frequency, format, and coverage areaCreating answer-focused content that serves both listeners and search enginesBuilding valuable content for advertisers, not just listenersTurning your station website into a trusted local knowledge baseWhy consistency and regular publishing matter more than everThe 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.

21 min
May 18

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

22 min
May 4

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.

14 min
Apr 20

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

14 min
Apr 6

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

14 min
Mar 23

Make Your Website a Place Listeners Go On Purpose

Search traffic isn’t what it used to be, and that has big implications for radio station websites. As more listeners get answers from Google, social media, and AI without ever clicking through to a site, stations can’t rely on search the way they once did. In this episode, we talk about why your website needs to become a place listeners go on purpose, not just something they find by accident. That means building pages people expect to visit, creating features you talk about on the air, owning a few categories locally, and giving your audience real reasons to come back directly. Stations that stay strong online won’t be the ones with the most posts. They’ll be the ones that make their website part of the listener’s routine. Full show notes and links from this episode: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/221 If your station is starting to think about a new website, learn more about what we do at https://www.skyrocketradio.com

13 min
Mar 9

The Most Valuable Pages on Your Radio Station Website Might Surprise You

Are the most important pages on your radio station’s website the ones you think they are? In this episode, we explore why some of the biggest traffic drivers on radio station websites aren’t the homepage or contest pages. Instead, it’s often the simple, community-focused pages like obituaries, event calendars, job listings, and local resources that quietly bring listeners back again and again. If your station wants more website traffic, stronger community connections, and new sponsorship opportunities, these overlooked pages may be the key. Read the full show notes:https://www.skyrocketradio.com/220 If your station needs a modern website built specifically for radio, visit:https://www.skyrocketradio.com

8 min
Feb 23

Make Your Local Articles AI-Ready with “Answer Blocks”

Search has changed. It’s no longer just about ranking — it’s about being chosen. In this episode, Jim explains how a simple structural upgrade called “Answer Blocks” can make your local news articles easier for Google and AI tools to summarize and feature. Instead of burying key details inside long paragraphs, you’ll learn how to clearly present dates, locations, and critical information right at the top of your stories. It’s not about gaming the algorithm. It’s about being clear, useful, and authoritative in your market. If your station wants to become the go-to digital source for local information, this small tweak can make a big long-term impact. 👉 Get the full breakdown and examples at:https://www.skyrocketradio.com/219 And if your station needs a website that’s built specifically for radio — designed to engage listeners, support sales, and grow your audience — learn more at: https://www.skyrocketradio.com Thanks for listening!

9 min

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.

Creator

Jim Sherwood
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

224
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Jim Sherwood
Show Website

Better Radio Websites