| quo;s all the buzz about RSS feeds? To some | | | | the web user, he/she receives current, up-to-date |
| webmasters it’s their knight in shining armor | | | | articles about topics that interest them. |
| when it comes to adding relevant content to their | | | | What are the drawbacks of RSS Feeds? |
| web site. If your are considering adding a RSS feed | | | | The biggest drawback to the use of RSS feeds is |
| to your site, get some background information first | | | | the fact that it’s a relatively new technology |
| so you will know what to expect. | | | | and it has been known to have some |
| Let’s start off by explaining exactly what a | | | | user-preference concerns such as: |
| RSS feed is. | | | | 1. Some users prefer receiving email updates over an |
| If you’ve been hanging around the internet | | | | RSS feed. |
| lately, then you’ve seen these 3 letters in | | | | 2. Graphics and photos do not appear in all RSS |
| many of the websites you’ve visited. It has | | | | feeds. |
| become all the rave and it’s popularity is on a | | | | 3. The identity of the source website can be |
| steady uphill climb. I predict that the day will come | | | | confusing. Since RSS feeds do not display the actual |
| when 95% of all websites will incorporate a RSS feed | | | | URL or name of the website, it can sometimes get |
| of some sort into their site. | | | | confusing on what feed a user is actually reading. |
| RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site | | | | 4. Publishers cannot determine how many users are |
| Summary; syndicating means republishing an article | | | | subscribed to their feed and the frequency of their |
| that comes from another source such as a website. | | | | visits. Moreover, they would not know the reasons |
| An RSS is a means of publicizing updates about | | | | why users unsubscribe which could be important in |
| websites. It may or may not include a summary and | | | | improving their advertising. |
| photos of the latest posting. But those that provide | | | | 5. RSS feeds create higher traffic and demands on |
| summaries (thus Rich Site Summary) allow users to | | | | the website owners’ server. |
| skim through the article so that they could decide | | | | 6. Since it is a new technology, many website hosting |
| later on if they want to access the website source. | | | | companies do not currently support RSS feeds. |
| The RSS feed usually contains the title of the update | | | | O.K. I’m Interested: How do I start using RSS |
| originating from the website. It is also usually the link | | | | feeds on my website? |
| to the website source. | | | | There are two things needed: an RSS feed and an |
| What are the benefits of RSS? | | | | RSS aggregator or reader. The RSS feed comes |
| RSS gives benefits to both readers and web | | | | from an RSS supported website. There are also |
| publishers alike with it’s ease and simplicity of | | | | websites that provide a list of RSS feeds of |
| use. | | | | different websites. An RSS aggregator is used to |
| 1. It gives you the latest updates. Whether | | | | read the RSS feed from the source website. It scans |
| it’s about the weather, music, software | | | | and collects data on the latest RSS feeds from the |
| upgrades, or local news. You can obtain a feed on an | | | | worldwide web. |
| unlimited number of subjects and as it’s | | | | An aggregator comes in two forms: a downloadable |
| popularity continue to increase, so will the many | | | | program also known as desktop aggregator and an |
| different subjects you will be able to retrieve from a | | | | online or web-based aggregator. Downloadable |
| feed. | | | | aggregators may require payment before they can |
| 2. If you’re looking for a quick method of | | | | be acquired, while internet-based aggregators are |
| surfing the web, RSS feeds can meet that demand. | | | | usually free of charge. All you need to do is to |
| Because it pulls information from outside sources and | | | | register an account then you are ready to use their |
| compile that data into a single feed, it saves on | | | | services. Both versions allow you to customize or |
| surfing time. Some feeds provides a summary of | | | | choose which RSS feeds to enter. Paid aggregators |
| related articles, this saves the user’s time by | | | | are usually chosen by more experienced users and |
| helping him/her decide on which items to prioritize | | | | they usually allow more freedom in customizing feeds. |
| when reading or browsing the net. | | | | 1. Choose an RSS aggregator to use. For beginners, |
| 3. It gives freedom of choice to the user. Users are | | | | web-based aggregators are recommended since they |
| given a free-hand on which websites to include in | | | | are usually user-friendly. |
| their RSS aggregators which they have the freedom | | | | 2. Scan the homepage of your target website for |
| to change at any time. This puts pressure on the | | | | the RSS or XML button. It contains the RSS code |
| RSS feed provider to maintain an up-to-date data | | | | you need to enter in the aggregator. Copy this code. |
| base of current and relevant articles. | | | | Syndic8 provides a directory of websites that |
| 4. It lessens the clutter in your inbox. Although your | | | | support RSS. |
| email address will be required to enjoy the services | | | | 3. Paste the code (which contains the URL of the |
| of online RSS feed aggregators, RSS does not use | | | | website) in your aggregator. There is a space |
| your email address to send the updates. Everything is | | | | provided for pasting the code. |
| done from their servers. This makes it virtually hassle | | | | After you have done these three easy steps, you |
| free. | | | | can start reading the RSS feeds coming from the |
| 5. RSS feeds are completely spam free. Unlike email | | | | website. New postings appear as they are published |
| subscriptions, RSS does not make use of your email | | | | real time at the source website. |
| address to send updates thus your privacy is kept | | | | As RSS feeds increase in popularity, no doubt the |
| safe from spam mails. | | | | number of websites that employ this method of |
| 6. Unsubscribing is also hassle-free. When you no | | | | Internet web site marketing will increase along with it. |
| longer want to post an RSS feed from a provider on | | | | If you are looking for a quick and efficient way to |
| your website, all you have to do is delete the html | | | | provide relevant content to your web site, then |
| code or the RSS feed’s URL from your site. | | | | consider incorporating a RSS feed. |
| 7. It can be used as an advertising or marketing tool. | | | | Don’t give up! If at first you don’t |
| Users who subscribe receive the latest news on | | | | succeed, TRY, TRY, AGAIN! There is a lot to learn |
| products and services from your site without it being | | | | when trying to figure out what works best for your |
| viewed as spam mail by the receiver. This is an | | | | online business. Give yourself a break and |
| advantage to both the web user and the website | | | | don’t set unrealistic goals. Dont be afraid |
| owner since advertising becomes targeted to people | | | | to learn from others and keep at it until you get it |
| who are actually interested in your products. As for | | | | just how you want it. |