Blogging Success? Make Your RSS Feed Easy to Find
As I continue to think about a site redesign for TechTraction I have started thinking about the most important parts of a blog beyond the main content. One such critical component is the RSS feed link. This link is critical to building a readership for any blog but all too often it’s difficult to find or its use is never clearly explained.
“You” are not your audience
Most bloggers are fairly tech-savvy individuals, but that doesn’t mean their readers are also tech-savvy. Yes, a “tech blog” normally attracts technically minded readers but their depth and breadth of technical knowledge is completely unknown: never assume your readers know what you know especially when it comes to RSS feeds.
You might be surprised to find out how many blog readers don’t completely understand the RSS subscribe option. And when the option is presented with only an graphic image, it makes even less sense. To get the most our of your RSS feed follow these two suggestions:
Two ways to improve your RSS feed link
First, make sure to include a brief explanation with the RSS graphic image. You could even create a “learn more” link near your RSS subscription link and provide more information about RSS feeds on a dedicated page. And, to make sure you completely maximize your full subscription potential, offer an email subscription option. Feedburner makes it very easy to add this option to your blog — and it’s free.
Second, make the RSS image and supporting text easy to find. Don’t bury the subscription option at the bottom of some sidebar, and don’t surround it with other distracting images. Put the RSS image and supporting text somewhere at the top of your blog and large enough so it stands out from other menu options and advertisements. Also, some blogs include a subscription option at the bottom of every post. This makes good sense. Once someone finishes reading a post they might be thinking, “Hey, I like this blog. I should subscribe.” Placing a subscription link at the bottom of every post allows you to capitalize on a reader’s positive experience.
Do as I say, not as I do
This article is certainly one of these “do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do” recommendations. My own RSS link is not nearly as clear as it should be; however, I am mulling over a site redesign so hopefully I’ll address that problem soon. In the meantime, however, don’t let my procrastination become your excuse for not taking action. Take a look at your own blog and honestly decide if you are making your RSS feed link easy to find and understand. If not, start fixing it.
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Filed under: Blogging Related
This is sound advice and something I blogged about myself a while back, just before doing a redesign.
There are some pretty high profile bloggers who would do well to look at their layouts in this respect. It is said that readers eyes are typically drawn to the top right of a web page when they first look at it and it’s a good idea to have your subscription options placed somewhere in that area.
Having said that, it’s also a popular place for ads for exactly the same reason. Top left is almost as good so I would recommend either one - certainly above the fold. I agree - always offer an email option too because that’s often far more successful with less tech minded folks.
Some (usually older) skin designs were not at all RSS friendly and you still see a lot of blogs with a tiny “Meta” area stuck right at the foot of a sidebar and no other mention of subscription options at all.
I often wonder if I could do better, and your post have given me a couple more things to think about.
Thanks for the pointer on the upper right corner being a good place for the RSS subscription link. I have been thinking that is where I was going to put it, and I’m glad to know I’ll be using the right location.
Thanks for the comment Maurice.
Well, it also took me several weeks to finally understand that RSS is from the point I saw RSS in my friend blog. I did not bother to research on it when I first saw it because I though it is something that only tech-savvy should know.
Yeah, there is a bit of a tech-elitist air surrounding the topic of RSS feeds. I’m sure some people are a bit embarrassed to ask, “What’s this RSS thing?” for fear that someone will chime in with “RTFM”, or “What kind of idiot are you?” It’s sad that honest questions sometimes get such insulting responses.
Thanks Reztar for sharing your thoughts on the topic.