Increase your reach with RSS21 December 2004
RSS or Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary is a method of distributing your web site's content. Instead of customers having to visit your web site for updates, you can use RSS to tell them of product or content changes.
How does RSS work?
RSS allows you to send headlines, text and even pictures direct to your customers. To do this, you need to make the key bits from your webpage, such as headlines and brief descriptions, available as an XML document.
To read the information you send out, your customers will need an RSS reader. These can be web based like Bloglines, desktop downloads like NewsGator or part of their online browser like Firefox .
RSS reader programs typically display the content in much the same way as an e-mail inbox. If you make the link to the XML document available on your web site, your customers can then add that link to the reader they are using. Each time they open up the RSS reader, your new and updated headlines and content will be displayed. This keeps your customers up to speed with product updates and news without physically having to visit your site.
How RSS can help your business
- RSS is very useful for alerting customers to news, events, product reviews or new product listings without them having to go to your web site.
- Instead of having to scroll through a long newsletter, your customers can scan the headlines, and quickly decide if they want to find out more information.
- Unlike e-mail newsletters, your content doesn't run the risk of being blocked by spam filters.
- Customers choose to receive your RSS feeds by adding your XML weblink to their reader. By doing this, they confirm that they're interested in your business and its products or services, which gives you access to a captivated audience that you can target your marketing material at.
How to implement RSS on your site
If you decide RSS is right for your business, the following links give you more information:
- The Internet Guide to Engineering, Mathematics and Computing's comprehensive RSS tutorial (link opens in a new window)
- A directory of RSS readers (link opens in a new window)
