Why RSS Feeds Make for Productive Business
What is RSS?
RSS, Really Simple Syndication, is a powerful resource that has given the Internet user and the business owner a simpler way to interact, connect, and syndicate content and to do it at their own convenience. RSS is a technology format that uses “feeds” to update content via blogs, video, audio, and news that can be delivered to you. When you subscribe to a feed, the information is delivered directly to your computer using feed readers (such as Google, Bloglines, and others). RSS is a great way to access information and there are two main ways to look at how it can assist you in your business:
1. Having access to the information you need when you want it and how you want it
2. Having the ability to provide information to others in a simple, easy way.
Accessing Information
There once was a time when you researched information, found the website, and then bookmarked it for future use. If you liked a website and the information provided and you wanted to reference it for later use, that meant you had to remember to check back with the website. This worked fairly well except you had to remember to check back and there was no way of knowing when new information would be available and if it had been added to the site. But then along comes RSS, which delivers content directly to you exactly when it’s updated. That’s the good news. The great news is you don’t have to access it when it comes to you, you can access it when you want at your convenience.
How Do I Know a Site Uses RSS
When you go to webpages, whether news pages or blog sites, you’ll generally see an orange and white icon (the standard RSS feed icon), which lets you know that the site you’re on and the information on it, is available via feed or for download if you decide to subscribe.
Providing Content
The second way that RSS is useful is that you can actually syndicate your own information, which allows you to distribute your own content to hundreds and potentially thousands of people via an RSS feed. If your business is hosting a blog or a podcast, then you can use the RSS feed to allow individuals to subscribe enabling them to continually access your information. This is a great way to build awareness and establish your business, products, and services for all-the online world to see.
