I am fairly new to blogging (just started January 16th), and I have a basic RSS feed link on my site. As I visit more blogs, I see various RSS services with icons/ images posted on blogs, but I am not sure how to integrate them into mine. The ones that I typically see are: XML BlogLines My Yahoo Google NewsGator My MSN Feedburner My questions are: Do I need to register for each of these services in order to integrate them into the site, or is there some sort of integrated service that I can get all of them from? How do I get the images? I just need to get pointed in the right direction on this. Thanks,
I'd suggest looking at feedburner, as they can put all of your possible feeds into one. They also keep track of the number of people using that feed. You don't, however, have to register for any of them. What you see are buttons that make your readers life easier. If they are interested and know what RSS feeds are, they can use the button to create the feed quickly and easily.
Thanks Miked, I appreciate the reponse. I have signed up for Feedburner, and am now trying to "burn my feed". Thanks again.
I think the original question leans more towards the "add to my aggregator" buttons for blog readers. Using Feedburner to present your feed is a good idea, but doesn't approach the angle of allowing people to easily add that feed to the reader of their choice, which is what it sounds like you originally asked. These buttons can and do help users add your feed to their reader. If a user uses My Yahoo! as their reader, they can do a one click add to their home page from your blog with one. Without you having the button, they need to find the feed, copy the URL, go to Yahoo, click through their UI, and add it. A pretty onerous process that will leave a good majority going - "ah, not worth it, too much hassle..." That said - using them is a good idea if you want maximum exposure to newer RSS users. Longer term RSS users and more technical crowds don't need these props. Look at your audience and decide from there.