For Subscribers

Really Simple Success Content syndication via RSS is an easy and inexpensive way to drive more traffic to your site.

By Mikal E. Belicove

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In search engine optimization, great content increases the likelihood of your website receiving and maintaining a high search engine rank, which ultimately drives qualified traffic and leads to your company's website. But great content requires great distribution to really shine.

Placing your content in front of the right customers at the right time is critical, especially when your customers and prospects have so many choices online for learning about the exact same products and services you sell. While there are many ways to drive traffic to your website, one of the more successful methods--syndication--also happens to be one of the most cost-effective.

Content syndication for the Internet refers to the controlled placement of the same content on multiple sites or the process of pushing your content to your customers, prospects and other opt-in subscribers.

Setting Up an RSS Feed

Enabling your website for RSS may seem like a highly technical proposition, but it really isn't. Many websites with a content management system, or CMS, have the capacity to create RSS feeds on the fly, as do popular blogging platforms such as WordPress, TypePad, MovableType and Blogger.

To create, edit and publish an RSS feed for your website, consult your site designer or visit FeedForAll.com, where you can download affordable RSS-generating software for a do-it-yourself solution.

The easiest and most effective way to syndicate your website content (and by "content," I mean product descriptions, company news, blog entries, service announcements, etc.) is to make it RSS-enabled. RSS, which stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, lets people opt in to receive automatic updates whenever you post new content on your website. The updates, delivered by an RSS feed, show up on subscribers' desktops or web-based feed-reading applications, also known as "news aggregators," where snippets of new content from your site are on display along with a link to the source.

If you would like your customers to be informed anytime you change your product or service line, add a new feature set, or make a call-to-action-related announcement, then ask your website programmer about RSS enabling your company's website.

By choosing to syndicate your website content with RSS, you reach a wider audience, inform your audience sooner of your latest news and give people a choice of what information they receive, which ultimately creates a trusting relationship between you and your customers.

Mikal E. Belicove is a market positioning, social media and management consultant specializing in website usability and business blogging. When he is not working or ghosting blog entries for clients, Mikal can be found musing about the world on Belicove.com and can be reached atMikal@Belicove.com.

Mikal E. Belicove is a market positioning, social media, and management consultant specializing in website usability and business blogging. His latest book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook, is now available at bookstores. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

He Was Scared to Give His Business Partners Bad News. Then He Realized a Gamechanging Truth.

Lynwood Bibbens has learned to lean on business partners and suppliers, rather than trying to put on a brave face.

Business News

Shaquille O'Neal Is Settling the FTX Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Him By Investors. Here's How Much He'll Pay Out.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaq is settling a class action lawsuit brought by FTX investors who claim they were misled.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Starting a Business

This 'Dream' Side Hustle Out-Earned Her Corporate Salary in 2 Years — Now It's a $2 Million Business

Here's the exact blueprint she used to leave her W2 job behind and step fully into entrepreneurship.

Business News

Deloitte Is Reimbursing Employees Up to $1,000 — For Buying Lego Sets

Each Deloitte employee can spend up to $1,000 on items to improve their well-being.

Science & Technology

Tee Time With Investors? This Golf Trainer is a Must.

Sharpen your swing and your first impression before you hit the course.