This is SUCH a great question! I am a podcaster and a digital marketer, but I am not quick to recommend podcasts unless you have a clear understanding of the different models and what it takes to pull them off from a resources perspective.
If you are looking to build and monetize an audience (the traditional podcast model) know that you will need time and money. The more time, the less money you will need as you will grow organically if the content is well done. If you are looking to drive audience growth in a short period of time you will need more budget (ads, promos, etc. to drive awareness and downloads).
Another model (reason) for podcasting has little to do with audience growth (or monetizing the audience) instead it is a relationship building tool (sales targeting, etc.). In this model, you are using the podcast as the means by which to connect with someone you would otherwise have little reason or chance to do so.
For example, let's say there are CEOs of companies you want to connect with and hopefully do some business with. Calling them out of the blue to "chat" is not going to happen. But contacting them with a request to be on your podcast and showcase their thought leadership.... that is a whole different ballgame. I have used podcasts to grow my LinkedIn network with high value targets, and I stay in touch.
If you want to use a podcast to showcase your company as the thought leader in your industry you can use a combination of both - inviting executives and authors and speakers to be interviewed gets you the relationships, but you will need to spend some media budget to make sure that your industry actually knows your podcasts exists.
Today you can invest $60 in a (good enough) mic and use the editing software that came with your computer (don't overthink the engineering) and upload to a one-stop podcast platform like BuzzSprout or Podbean for next to no money. Also SoundCloud is doing more and more podcasting (Hubspot just started one on SoundCloud). Start there before you worry about a custom website and separate media host.
The biggest issue you will have with sound quality is your guest. Check out this episode with Ted Coiné (a Forbes Top Ten Social Influencer) and you will hear that the audio is good, but sometimes you can hear Ted's mic sliding around.
This was recorded with a $60 ATR-2100 and I used Garage Band to edit and export. http://thegrowthfactor.com/tgf-social-with-ted-coine-a-world-gone-social/
And Walter is right, you have to keep feeding the monster. You need to commit to this. I would say produce one a week for a year - then see what you've got.
Start with a podcast that is 20-30 min in length.
If you have more questions, I would be happy to help :)