In a technologically developing world it is important businesses keep abreast
of new technologies to stay in touch with their customers. Making use of web
syndication such as PodCasts and RSS feeds is an easy and affordable way to
increase repeat custom to your website.
What is web syndication?
Web syndication essentially provides a summary of your website content together
with links to the full versions of the content. Typically this would be the
most recently added and updated items allowing visitors to track updates to
your website from their news reader without having to visit and find new content.
RSS feeds
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds are simple text files containing XML
that describes your website content. They are ideal for dynamic database driven
website's with regularly updated and changing content. By creating an RSS script
that links to your database you can automatically inform your visitors of new
products, promotions, articles, news, events and more without them having to
visit your site!
Of course you can also create RSS feeds for static sites using tools such as
G-Mapper.
All a user needs to access your RSS feed is a news reader or aggregator. In
the current version of Firefox (
) you can already make use of RSS feeds and there are many online providers
such as Google, Yahoo, My MSN, Bloglines, newsgator to name but a few news aggregators!
Now that Internet
Explorer (Version 7.0) comes with a built in RSS reader web syndication
is likely to receive even more interest.
As well as users being able to subscribe to your feeds other website's can
easily make use of them displaying the latest links and information from your
site.
Media / PodCasts
Whilst the name PodCasts suggests they are for the iPod they are in fact suitable
for most media players and compatible software.
A PodCast is similar to and RSS feed and uses the same technology but instead
of the RSS feed linking to pages on your website it points to media files usually
mp3's.
Your media / PodCast reader then checks the RSS feed for new mp3 files and
downloads them for you automatically so they can be listened to whilst driving
to work, on a bus, at the gym ....anywhere!
What's more a PodCast can be absolutely anything ....
- Your bands latest hit
- Advertising
- Education & Training
- and more ...
Conclusion
Web syndication offers a simple and effective way to communicate with your
website visitors through the use of RSS feeds and Podcasts. With database driven
sites the process can be completely automated using an RSS script so why not
contact db net solutions today to find out
if we can help with your RSS script or Podcasting.
Useful links
