1&1 Internet has launched two tools specifically designed to boost readers to home and small business web sites.

It is using RSS (really simple syndication), a web feed that is used to publish, or syndicate, updated web pages such as news. The new packages will give users the ability to share visual and audio material online, with the aim of increasing the number of people visiting their web site.

The 1 &1 Blog tool is bundled with the company's hosting package, and the tool is aimed at first time bloggers. It features a posting and commenting interface, the ability to change the template design and drag-and-drop image posting.

The second package, the 1&1 RSS Creator, allows customers to create RSS feeds for their text, audio and visual content. The Photocast feature also allows users to post their latest pictures, and the Podcast feature can be used to upload sound files to a website.

The 1&1 blog starts from £4.99 a month + Vat and the 1&1 RSS from £8.99 + Vat a month.