Prepare Your Feed

A feed is a file on your webserver just like any other webpage except that it contains pointers to recent updates. Instead of ending in .html or .htm, most feed files end in .xml or .rdf. Once this file is in place, most blogging software packages update this file automatically with pointers to your latest content. This file is then fetched by feed-reading software so that when you publish new content on your site, it automatically pushed to your subscribers. Best of all, it's incredibly easy to set up a feed. In fact, you may already have one.

Popular blog-hosting services such as Blogger and Typepad create feeds for you, as does blogging software such as MovableType and Wordpress. And many others offer built-in tools to help you publish and update your feed. Your feed will be one of two types: RSS ("Really Simple Syndication") or Atom. Both do essentially the same thing.