If you're struggling with the decision to implement RSS feeds or not, consider the following pros and cons for webmasters who use RSS feeds as part of its plan for content and communication ...
Benefits (pros of using RSS)
There are many benefits for a webmaster who opts to implement RSS feeds on your site:
1. saves time
RSS Feeds save time. RSS subscribers can quickly scan RSS feeds, without having to visit each site. Subscribers can then click any items that they are interested in additional information.
2. Timely
RSS Feeds are timely. RSS Feeds automatically updates any time new information is published, to which the information your subscribers receive through your RSS reader or news aggregator is timely.
3. Spam free
RSS is free of spam. Subscribers don't have to worry about wading through huge amounts of spam in an attempt to get the information they are really interested.
4. Opt-In
The RSS Subscriber chooses what they want to see, and what information they wish to receive. Knowing that they have full control, and that do not have to provide personal information to subscribe, they will be more likely to opt-in.
5. unsubscribe is easy
It is also easy to unsubscribe to an RSS feed. If they don't like information contained in an RSS feed, they can simply remove the RSS feed to your RSS reader or news aggregator to unsubscribe.
6. alternate communication channel
RSS provides an alternate communication channel for your business. And the more channels you provide, the more opportunities you should connect with your customers and potential customers.
7. Expands audience through Syndication
The very nature of RSS is that it is designed specifically for Syndication (i.e. publication by others). And widespread distribution can expand the reach of the company and strengthen the company's brand.
8. can increase Backlinks
When an RSS feed is syndicated, it can increase the number of links to the original site. And additional incoming links will help many times a site rank better in organic search ranking.
9. increases productivity
RSS increases productivity, allowing people to quickly scan new posts and headlines, and only clicking through and spending time with items of interest.
10. Competitive
If you decide to implement RSS feeds or not, your competitors likely will. Therefore, a way to remain competitive is to implement RSS feeds and other web 2.0 technologies and not allow competitors get ahead of you.
1. not widely adopted yet
Outside technical circles, RSS has not yet been widely took. While it is becoming increasingly popular, is still far from being a mainstream technology.
2. content can be easily copied
Content contained in an RSS feed can be easily copied and replicated, regardless of whether you want to be or not. Few aggregators respect the copyright of the content contained in an RSS feed.
3. tracking subscribers is difficult
It is very difficult to control with precision the number of subscribers who read an RSS feed or items contained in an RSS feed. This is due in part to the fact that in its essence, RSS is all about achieving the widest possible distribution.
4. source origination Difficult
It is sometimes difficult to discern that the origin of an RSS feed item. When an item is distributed, the source is not always indicated. The metrics available are not always reflect the traffic received.
Weigh the pros and cons of implementing an RSS feed as a channel of communication and determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks in their own situation.
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software to create, edit, publish RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for recording and editing software, RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio.
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