To increase reader traffic to your website, or create a great site with podcasts, you need an RSS Feed. The RSS feed will update your users with all the latest articles or episodes and create a huge increase in traffic. Creating RSS feeds is quick and easy either with an RSS creation program or writing them down manually. Follow this guide to find out how.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using the RSS Creation Program
Step 1. Look for an RSS creation program
There are several options when it comes to RSS services. You can use a web monthly service to automatically create and update RSS feeds, or download an RSS feed program and update the feeds manually. Popular programs include:
- RSS Builder - This free, open source RSS creation program allows you to create RSS files to upload to your website. The RSS feed on the website will also auto-organize without you having to upload the file.
- Feedity and rapidfeeds - This is a web service for managing multiple RSS feeds using automatic updates. You don't need to manually update your feed when updating website content. Feedity will generate an RSS file without having to include every item.
- FeedForAll - This paid program will create an RSS feed to upload to your website. There is also a dedicated tool for creating podcast feeds for iTunes.
Step 2. Create a new bait
After selecting one of the services above, create your first feed. This process is different for each program, but has basic principles that are common to almost all programs. All feeds should have some basic metadata:
- Create a feed title. This title should be the same as the website or podcast.
- Enter the URL for your website. This will help viewers link back to your site.
- Enter a description of the feed. The description is no more than a sentence or two that describes the feed content in general.
Step 3. Add an image for the feed
You can add an image that represents the feed. The image file must be uploaded to your website for it to load. Adding an image is optional but highly recommended for podcasts.
Step 4. Add feed content
Once you've entered your podcast information, it's time to start populating it with content. Enter the title of the article, blog post, podcast episode, etc.. Enter the URL that links directly to the content, as well as the date of publication. For Feedity, enter your website URL, and the content will be autofilled.
- Each entry should have a short but clear description. This is what your readers will see before choosing to click on an entry in their RSS reader.
- The GUID is a unique identifier for your content. You will be putting more URLs in this field. If both pieces of content are at the same URL, you need a unique identifier.
- You can add author information and comments.
- Add a new entry for each piece of content you want to broadcast.
Step 5. Create an XML file
When you're done loading all the content into your feed, you'll need to export it to an XML file. This XML file allows visitors to subscribe to your RSS feed.
Step 6. Publish the feed
Upload the created XML file to your website and place it there. Some sites will generate a URL to your feed that you can place on your website.
For RSS Builder, you can enter FTP information into your website so that the feed is automatically updated whenever you edit it. To do this, click the FTP button in the top toolbar, click the New Site button, and enter your FTP information. When you are ready to update the XML file on the website, click the Publish Feed button
Step 7. Submit an RSS feed
There are various aggregate sites that can be used as a place to post RSS feeds. These sites collect articles of similar interests, and can significantly increase your audience. Find the RSS Feed Directories that match your feed address interests and submit the URL to your feed XML file.
If your feed is a podcast, you can submit it to iTunes so iTunes users can search for and subscribe to the program. Podcasts must be approved in order to appear in searches
Method 2 of 2: Writing Your Own Feed
Step 1. Compile your content list
In a word processing program, create a simple list of some of the most recent content. We recommend listing 10-15 items, although you can make a quantity less or more. Copy the URL into the list, write down the title and short description, then enter the date of publication.
Step 2. Create an XML file
Open Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac). Before entering content information, you need to add RSS header information. Enter the following code at the top of the text file:
Feed Title https://www.yourwebsite.com/ This is a description of the Feed. Make it only a page or two.
Step 3. Enter the content
Each section of the content should have a separate one under the header. Copy the following code for each entry that must be made, replacing all items with information for your content.
Title Content URL Jump to content Unique ID for content. Copy URL back Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:17:32 GMT (Note: date must be in this format) Description for your content.
Step 4. Close the tag at the bottom of the feed
After entering all the items, close the tags and before saving the file. The following example is a feed containing three items:
My Cool Blog https://www.yourwebsite.com/ My latest cool articles Articles 3 examples.com/3 examples.com/3 Wed, 27 Nov 2013 13:20:00 GMT My latest articles. Article 2 example.com/2 example.com/2 Tue, Nov 26 2013 12:15:12 GMT My second article. Article 1 example.com/1 example.com/1 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 15:10:45 GMT My first article.
Step 5. Save the file
When you're done creating the feed, save it as an XML file. Click File and select Save As. In the file type menu, select All Files. Change the extension from TXT to. XML, and give the file a name that matches the feed title. Make sure that the file name does not contain spaces.
Step 6. Publish the feed
Now that you have the XML file, it's time to upload it to your website. Use an FTP or cPanel program to place the XML file on the web page. Be sure to create a link to the XML file so your readers can subscribe.
Step 7. Share the feed
With online feeds you can share links to various Feed Directories. Search the web to find directories that match your feed interests. Frequently spreading the bait will increase the traffic of web visits.
If you create a list for podcasts, you can submit your feed to iTunes. This will allow iTunes users to find your feed through the iTunes store. Feeds must be approved before they can appear in searches
Step 8. Update the feed
If you create and maintain your RSS feed manually, you will need to update it whenever new content is available that you want to publish. To do this, open the latest version of your XML file in a text editor, and add your new content to the top of the list using the code above. Save and re-upload the file to your website.
