Single Page Application Concept for Podcast Discovery

In 2020, as an exercise to practice product management skills, I conceived and developed “The PodApp.” This was a concept for a headless single page web application aimed at giving individual podcasts a stronger, searchable web presence, addressing the issue of discoverability on crowded platforms.

I conducted user research to identify pain points and conducted a competitive analysis to identify opportunities for differentiation. Built using WordPress as a headless CMS with a React.js/Next.js front-end, the app featured an episode player pulling from the podcast’s standard XML feed, an integrated blog for show notes, news, and other content, and prominent links to subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

The concept focused on creating a mobile-friendly, standalone home for podcasts to better connect with and grow their audience. A planned Version 2 aimed to incorporate direct monetization, allowing podcasters to charge per episode without relying on third-party platforms for premium content. This would align with the business goals by driving revenue and increasing user engagement.