ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES - RSS

RSS, Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary is a new xml-based technology supported on some websites. It provides for websites to connect with each other and offer real-time updates on new articles and posts. RSS feeds may be either a simple headline or a summary of the new article which then directs the user to the source website to view the entire article. It offers many advantages for the subscribers and web publishers for the purpose of internet marketing and convenience. However, due to it being a new technology, it still has a few minor drawbacks.

Advantages:

(1) Latest updates:

The subscriber can access the latest updates whether it be sports, news, weather, blogs or even from a site that is less frequently updated; the updates will be made available through the feeds as soon as they are made.

(2) Timesaving:

The RSS feeds work somewhat like bookmarks except that the subscriber can view the updates without having to navigate back to the source page. This helps to conserve on time as he/she will be able to decide which items to read first.

(3) User controls their subscriptions freely:

End users can freely choose which sites to subscribe to by linking it to their aggregate and unsubscribe by deleting it (much like deleting a bookmark) without having to answer questions or providing contact information.

(4) Lessens spam/inbox clutter:

Users do not have to provide their email addresses so they will not be sent updates to clutter their email inbox. This would also lessen the chances of their email addresses being sold.

(5) Advertising/Marketing Tool:

RSS is a powerful advertising and marketing tool. The updates being provided are targeted specifically at those persons who subscribe to the site, hence showing an ultimate interest in the product. This reduces the need for spam mail and gets the information directly to those who want it.

(5) Search Engine Optimization Medium:

It is also useful for promoting your website which raises your search engine ranking in Google, Yahoo or Bing. People do this by submitting their feeds to RSS directories. This creates good one-way backlinks for their sites, which is a vital ingredient in making your website known.

Disadvantages:

(1) New technology:

Being a relatively new technology, RSS is not supported by many websites hence its functionality is quite limited at the moment. However, technological updates are made readily so soon enough this will not be a problem.

(2) User Preference Concerns:

Some users may not be aware of the advantages of using RSS feeds or rather; they prefer to have updates sent traditionally to their email inbox. If the latter is the case, the site will still have to send out newsletters via email.

(3) No graphics/photos in RSS feeds:

For some aggregators, no photos or graphics are available in the RSS feeds and summaries hence limiting the appeal of the updates.

(4) Source site not shown:

The RSS feeds do not show the URL of the source site for the update making it difficult to determine which updates came from what sites.

(5) Number of subscribers not determined:

Web publishers have no way of knowing the number of persons who have subscribed to receive their updates and hence cannot make provisions for the increase in traffic. Also, when users unsubscribe, publishers are unaware of the reasons, which would be a very important tool to increase their marketing strategies in order to maintain their subscribers.

(6) Higher Traffic Demands:

Many subscribers would follow the update back to the source site to read the full article. This creates an unexpected amount of traffic which may cause the server to be slow or crash if it's too much.

RSS is a new and developing technology. Hopefully in the years to come, upgrades will be made to counter the drawbacks and make it an even more innovative tool for the internet marketing world. It would also server to make using the internet more efficient and enjoyable. It is indeed a useful tool.