RSS Feed: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

If you're finding a way to keep up with your favorite websites and blogs without constantly checking them for updates, then you need to know about RSS feeds. In this article, we'll explore what is an RSS feed, how to use an RSS feed, how do RSS feeds work, and their benefits. We'll also look at the history of the RSS feed and how Strikingly can help you make the most of them.

What Is An RSS Feed?

What is RSS? Really Simple Syndication, or RSS, is a method for websites to share their content in a format that other software or websites can readily read. An RSS feed is a stream of content updated every time new content is added to the website.

Benefits Of Using RSS Feeds

Using an RSS feed has several benefits, including:

• Saving time by allowing you to quickly scan headlines and summaries instead of having to visit each website individually
• Staying up-to-date on your favorite topics without having to search for new content constantly
• Customizing your news feed based on your interests
• Reducing clutter in your inbox by subscribing to newsletters through an RSS feed instead

History Of RSS Feeds

RSS feeds have been around since the late 1990s, but they only became popular once blogging became more mainstream in the early 2000s. Since then, many websites have adopted RSS feeds to distribute their content.

Strikingly And RSS Feeds

Strikingly makes adding an RSS feed to your website easy so visitors can easily subscribe to your content updates. With Strikingly's customizable templates and drag-and-drop editor, you can create a beautiful website with an RSS feed in just minutes. In the next section, we'll dive deeper into understanding how do RSS feeds work.

Understanding RSS Feed

What is an RSS feed? RSS Feeds have become an essential tool for content creators and consumers alike. This section will discuss how RSS feeds work, the types of RSS feeds available, the differences between RSS and Atom feeds, and the best practices for using them.

How Do RSS Feeds Work?

An RSS Feed is a web-based technology allowing publishers to syndicate their content automatically. It uses a standardized format called XML (Extensible Markup Language) to publish frequently updated information such as blog posts, news articles, or podcasts.

To use an RSS Feed, you need an aggregator or reader to collect and display the feed's contents in one place. Aggregators can be web-based or desktop applications that allow users to subscribe to multiple feeds from different sources.

When a new article or post is published on a website with an RSS Feed, the aggregator will automatically detect and display it in its interface. The feature makes it simple for users to stay up-to-date with their favorite websites without visiting each site individually.

RSS Feed - Types

There are two main types of RSS Feed: Full-text RSS Feed and Summary RSS Feed.

• Full-text RSS Feed. Contains the entire content of a blog post or article within the feed itself.
• Summary RSS Feeds. Includes a summary or excerpt of the content with a link to the source. Many readers prefer full-text feeds because they allow them to read entire articles without leaving their aggregator. However, some publishers prefer summary feeds because they drive traffic back to their websites by encouraging readers to read more.

RSS Feed Vs. Atom Feed

RSS Feeds and Atom Feeds are used for syndicating web content but use different formats.

RSS is an older technology that has been around since 1999 and uses XML as its standard format. Atom was developed in 2003 as an alternative to RSS and used a more simplified XML format. While both formats are widely used, RSS feed is still the most popular and supported by most feed readers and aggregators.

Image taken from Strikingly

Best Practices For RSS Feed

To ensure that your RSS Feed is effective, here are some best practices to follow:

• Use descriptive titles and descriptions to make it easy for readers to understand your content.
• Include links to your website in your feed's content to drive traffic back to your site.
• Update your feed regularly with fresh content to keep readers engaged.
• Ensure your feed's formatting is consistent with your website's branding.
• Test your feed with different aggregators to ensure it displays correctly across all platforms.
  

If you develop an efficient RSS Feed using these best practices, you may expand your target audience and keep them interested in your material.

How To Use An RSS Feed?

RSS feeds are a fantastic way to keep your audience updated with your latest content. Creating an RSS feed is easier than it may seem, and in this section, we will guide you through the process.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Choose a platform. Many platforms are available for creating an RSS feed, including WordPress, Feedburner, and Strikingly.
• Create a new feed. After selecting your platform, follow the instructions to establish a new feed.
• Add content. Add the content you want to appear in your RSS feed, including blog posts, podcasts, videos, and more.
• Customize your feed. Customize your feed by adding images and changing the layout to match your brand.
• Test your feed. Before publishing your feed, test it using an RSS reader or validator tool to ensure it works properly.

Choosing The Right Content

When creating an RSS feed, choosing the right content to include is important. Here are some tips:

• Include only high-quality content that provides value to your audience.
• Consider including different types of content, such as blog posts, podcasts, videos, and images.
• Ensure that your content applies to your niche or industry.
• Refrain from overloading your feed with too much content; choose only the best pieces.

Formatting Your RSS Feed

Formatting is critical to creating an RSS feed that is easy to read for users. Here are some formatting tips:

• Use clear headings and subheadings.
• Keep paragraphs short and concise.
• Use bullet points where appropriate.
• Include images where possible but don't overload them.
• Make sure that all links work correctly.

Testing Your RSS Feed

Before publishing your RSS feed on your website or blog, test it. Testing your feed will help you ensure it works correctly and your audience can access it easily. Here are some tools you can use for testing:

• Feed Validator. The particular tool checks your feed for errors and suggests fixing them.
• RSS Reader. Use an RSS reader to test your feed and see how it looks in different formats.
• Browser extensions. Many browser extensions allow you to test your RSS feeds quickly.
  

Image taken from Strikingly

Optimizing Your RSS Feed

RSS feeds are an excellent way to keep your audience up-to-date with your latest content. However, more than creating an RSS feed alone is required; you need to optimize it for search engines and promote it to reach a wider audience. This section will discuss the essentiality of SEO for RSS feeds, best practices for optimizing your feed, promoting your feed, and measuring its success.

Importance Of SEO For RSS Feed

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for any online content you want people to find easily. The same goes for RSS feeds. Optimizing your RSS feed can help improve its visibility and attract more subscribers.

When you optimize your RSS feed, search engines can crawl and index it easily. RSS means that your content can appear in search results when people search for keywords related to your content or business.

Best SEO Practices For RSS Feed

Here are some best practices to optimize your RSS feed:

• Use relevant keywords in the title and description of the feed.
• Include a link to your website in every article or post within the feed.
• Keep the formatting consistent throughout the feed.
• Use descriptive tags and categories.
• Submit the feed to various directories such as FeedBurner or Digg Reader.

Promoting Your RSS Feed

Promoting your RSS feed is essential if you want more people to subscribe. Here are some techniques to promote your RSS feed:

• Add a subscription button on your website or blog.
• Share links to specific articles within the feed on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook.
• Include an email signature with a link to subscribe to the RSS feed.
• Offer exclusive content only available through subscribing.

Measuring Success

Measuring the success of an RSS feed is crucial if you want to know if it's working well. The number of subscribers, click-through rates, and engagement levels can all be used to gauge success. Tools like Google Analytics can aid you in tracking these metrics.

Image taken from Strikingly

How To Use An RSS Feed For Marketing

As a marketer, you constantly seek new strategies to connect with your target audience and spread your message. An RSS feed is one tool that can assist you in doing that.

Benefits Of Using RSS Feed For Marketing

The following are some advantages of utilizing an RSS feed for marketing:

• Increases visibility. Publishing your content through an RSS feed makes it simpler for people to find and consume it.
• Saves time. With an RSS feed, you can automate distributing your content, freeing up more time to focus on other aspects of your marketing strategy.
• Builds loyalty. When people subscribe to your RSS feed, they indicate they want to hear from you regularly. Customer loyalty can help build loyalty and trust between you and your audience.

Integrating RSS Feed On Your Website

Integrating an RSS feed on your website is a great way to keep visitors engaged with fresh content. Here's how to do it:

• Choose a platform. There are many platforms out there that allow you to create and manage an RSS feed. Some popular options include Feedburner, WordPress, and Squarespace.
• Set up the feed. Once you've chosen a platform, follow their instructions for setting up the feed.
• Embed the feed on your website. Most platforms will provide you with code to copy and paste onto your website.

Creating Customized Feeds

One advantage of using an RSS feed is creating customized feeds based on different topics or categories. The customized feed allows users to subscribe only to the content they want.

Here's how to create a customized feed:

• Determine what categories or topics you want to offer.
• Use tags or categories in your content management system (CMS) to organize content by topic.
• Create separate feeds for each topic using your RSS platform.

Using RSS Feed For Email Marketing

Another way to use an RSS feed for marketing is to incorporate it into your email campaigns. Here's how:

• Choose an email marketing platform that supports RSS feeds.
• Set up the feed in your email marketing platform.
• Use the feed to populate your emails with fresh content automatically.
• Using an RSS feed in your email campaigns, you can keep subscribers engaged with fresh content without manually updating each email.
  

Image taken from Strikingly

How To Use An RSS Feed With Strikingly

Here are the steps to set up an RSS feed on Strikingly:

1. Make sure you have a Strikingly blog. You'll need to create a blog on Strikingly to generate an RSS feed. If you don't have a blog, you can easily add one by going to Blog > Add Blog.

2. Go to Blog Settings. In your Strikingly website editor, select Blog > Settings. It will open your blog settings.

3. Turn on the RSS feed. Turn on "Enable RSS" on the Settings page by toggling the switch. It will automatically generate an RSS feed for your Strikingly blog.

4. Find your RSS URL. Scroll down to the "RSS URL" section. It will display the unique URL for your RSS feed. Copy this URL.

6. Let readers know about your RSS. Promote your RSS feed to readers and encourage them to subscribe. You can:

• Add an RSS icon to your website with a link to your feed URL.
• Include your RSS feed URL in your website footer.
• Mention your RSS in a blog post and newsletter.
• Share your RSS on social media platforms with an image linking to your feed.
  

7. Keep your RSS feed updated. Continue actively posting on your Strikingly blog to keep your RSS feed fresh with new content. Most RSS readers will only check for updates every few hours or less frequently, so consistent blogging is key.

Simple SEO Tweaks For Strikingly RSS

To optimize your Strikingly RSS feed for search engines, here are some best practices:

• Use keywords in your titles and descriptions. Ensure you're using relevant keywords in the titles and descriptions of your posts.
• Include links back to your website. Each post in your RSS feed should include a link to your website's original article.
• Use images. Including images in your posts can help attract more readers and improve engagement.

Social Media Hacks For RSS Feed Promotion

Promoting your RSS feed on social media can help attract more subscribers. Here are some tips:

• Share new posts on social media. Whenever you publish a new post on your blog, please share it on social media with a link to the original article.
• Use hashtags. Including relevant hashtags in social media posts can help them reach more people.
• Cross-promote with other bloggers or websites in your niche. Ask other bloggers or websites in your niche whether they'd be willing to promote each other's content.

Email Marketing Shortcuts With RSS

Email marketing alongside an RSS feed can help raise engagement and drive traffic to your website. Here are some tips:

• Use an email marketing tool that supports RSS. Many email marketing tools, like Mailchimp, support RSS feeds and can automatically send emails when publishing new content.
• Offer exclusive content to subscribers. Consider offering exclusive content or discounts to subscribers who sign up for your email list.
• Make it easy to unsubscribe. Always include an easy way for subscribers to opt out of your emails if they're no longer interested.

Conclusion

RSS feeds are valuable for staying updated with favorite websites and blogs, offering easy access to new content without constant checking. Individuals can promote their content by creating an RSS feed and enhancing website visibility. Incorporating an RSS feed with Strikingly is simple, thanks to the user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

Additionally, Strikingly offers SEO tools for optimizing feeds for search engines. Despite speculations about social media platforms replacing RSS feeds, they remain popular among bloggers and content creators who value quick access to new content without continuous site checks. RSS feeds are likely to continue being used as long as there is a need for efficient content consumption.

Are you using the benefits of RSS feed yet? Sign up with Strikingly and add an RSS feed to your content today!