Don’t Hide Your Updates: The Undeniable Importance of Web Feeds for Every Organization

If you’re regularly publishing content on your website—whether it’s blog posts, news announcements, press releases, or event listings—you’re already doing the hard work. But are you making it easy for your audience to consistently access that content on their own terms?

This is where the power of a web feed comes in. Often referred to by its technical name, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), a web feed is a standardized file that contains your latest content in a format that other applications can read.

Think of it as a direct news wire from your website to your most engaged followers.

Why Your Business or Nonprofit Needs a Feed

Whether your goal is driving sales, building community, or rallying support, a web feed is a versatile tool that delivers tangible benefits.

1. Cultivate a Dedicated, Owned AudienceUnlike social media followers, your feed subscribers are not subject to an algorithm deciding whether they see your post. They use a feed reader (like Feedly or Inoreader) to curate content from all their favorite sources, and your updates appear right alongside industry news and major publications. This places you in a trusted circle of information and builds a deeply loyal audience that has actively chosen to listen to you.

2. Automate Your Marketing and Save TimeA web feed acts as the central hub for your content distribution, saving you countless hours of manual work.

• Email Newsletters: Connect your RSS feed to an service like Mailchimp to automatically send new posts as email newsletters.

• Social Media Cross-Posting: Use tools like IFTTT or Zapier to automatically share new content to your LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook pages.

• Content Syndication: Allow other websites or partners to display your latest updates, dramatically increasing your reach and backlinks for SEO.

3. Enhance Transparency and Build Trust (Especially for Nonprofits)For nonprofits, trust is currency. A web feed provides a transparent, real-time log of your activities, impact stories, and financial updates. Donors and grantors can subscribe to see the direct results of their contributions, reinforcing their decision to support your mission and encouraging long-term commitment.

4. Improve Your SEO (Search Engine Optimization)Search engines love fresh, structured content. An active RSS feed signals to crawlers that your site is regularly updated, which can positively influence your indexing. Furthermore, when your feed is syndicated on other reputable sites, it creates valuable backlinks, further boosting your search authority.

How to Get Started (It’s Easier Than You Think!)

The good news? If you’re using a modern content management system like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix, you likely already have an RSS feed. You just need to promote it.

1. Find Your Feed: It’s often as simple as adding /feed/ to the end of your domain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/feed/). Check your CMS documentation.

2. Make it Visible: Add a prominent “Subscribe via RSS” link or the universal RSS icon (🔄) in your website’s footer, sidebar, or blog menu.

3. Educate Your Audience: Not everyone knows what RSS is. Include a short line of text like, “Subscribe to our RSS feed to get all our updates in your favorite news reader.”

Conclusion: Stop Leaving Engagement on the Table

Your website’s content is a valuable asset. A web feed ensures this asset is working as hard as possible—building loyalty, automating tasks, and extending your reach. It’s a simple, foundational element of a modern digital strategy that respects your audience’s time and empowers them to stay connected.

Ready to harness the power of your feed? Check your website today and make sure your audience can find that “Subscribe” button