Need Fresh Website Content? Syndication May be Just the Answer You're Looking For!

By Merle
Posted Thursday, December 2, 2004

Fresh content is an important aspect of any successful website. But who has all of the free time that it takes to change your web pages on a daily basis? Allow me to introduce you to "syndicated content." By including syndicated content on your site, it stays fresh with very little effort on your part. So how do you get it? How does it work? Slow down... All will be revealed in due time. Remember, patience is a virtue.

Syndicated content is dynamic material that constantly changes. Your first step is finding it -- preferably, for free, although some will charge you for the privilege. In most cases all you do is fill out a short form, and are then given some HTML code to paste into your web page where you want the content to appear. The content will automatically change depending on the service you're using, every 24 hrs, weekly or bi-weekly.

Syndicated content comes in many different forms: News feeds, stock tickers, weather updates, tips and tricks, short articles, and even graphics like cartoons. Using syndicated content saves you time since you don't have to create or maintain it and it keeps your site fresh and interesting so visitors will want to come back to see what's new. Make sure you check for any restrictions on use before signing up to use any service.

There are disadvantages to using syndications such as:

- May slow down the loading of your site due to the fact that the content is being pulled from the syndicator's server.

- Since most free content involves a link back to the syndicator's site you may lose visitors who are curious enough to click on it.

The advantages are:

- Fresh updated content with no work on your part

_ Saves you time creating new content

- Keeps visitors returning to see what's new

OK, so it sounds great, but where do you find it? Here are some links you may wish to investigate:

Live News feeds

(http://www.isyndicate.com) Syndicates over 850 sources to well over 210,000 websites. Most of their feeds come with a price tag, but some are free.

(http://www.moreover.com) This is my personal favorite, with over 300 categories to choose from. Pick a topic that matches the theme of your site; you can even control the link colors and size.

(http://www.7am.com/ticker/) Uses a Java applet that will give you the latest headlines.

Comic Feeds

(http://www.cartoonlink.net) Work by talented cartoonists you can add to your pages free.

(http://www.comicexchange.com) Enjoy the work of over 40 cartoonists free.

(http://www.callahanonline.com/calsyn.htm) Syndicated cartoon guaranteed to offend and entertain. Updates itself automatically every 24 hours.

Weather Feeds

(http://www.wunderground.com/about/faq/) Displays current time and weather for the city you select.

(http://weatherguys.com/webmaster.html) Free to use; gives weather conditions for whatever zip code is typed into the box.

Daily Tips & Fun Stuff:

(http://www.bannertips.com/tipoftheday.shtml) Updated every 24 hours. The tips provided are on banner advertising; what works and what doesn't.

(http://www.surfnetkids.com/daily.html) Fresh fun and free content that's family oriented. Choose from daily facts, daily chuckles, and more.

(http://www.myzips.com/content.asp) Add the top 10 software downloads to your site by filling in the short form and pasting the code given onto your page.

(http://www.doctorebiz.com/syndicate) Add Dr. Wilson's weekly column on website marketing by adding two lines of javascript to the page where you want it to appear.

If you write short articles and would like to see your content in syndication and appearing on other's websites you can submit your 400 to 1,200 word articles to mailto:syndicator@web-source.net and attach a photo (80X105). If chosen your articles will be added to (http://www.web-source.net/syndicator.htm) live feed.

You also may be interested in purchasing software to syndicate your own content. Check out "Master Syndicator" which makes it easy to start syndicating your own content. Selling for only 99.00 it runs on UNIX or Linux servers. For more info go to (http://www.mastersyndicator.com)

So next time your website needs some fresh content you may want to seriously consider using syndicated content. Why not benefit from someone elses work? Your website visitors will keep coming back for more, and you won't have to work so hard at keeping things fresh.

About the Author
Merle (http://www.ezineadauction.com) "Where the Best Deals in Ezine Advertising are Made" Subscribe to Ezine Ad Auction Authority and be kept up to date on new auctions as they're added and much more subscribe@ezineadauction.com For advertising information send mailto:advertise@ezineadauction.c