Use CGI to Automate Your Web Site by Shelley Lowery
Are you taking advantage of the powerful automation technology available on the
Internet? Common Gateway Interface, better known as CGI, is one of the most
widely used server applications on the Internet. This software resides on your
server and automatically performs specified functions on your web site.
If you've been on the Internet for a while, you've probably seen many examples
of CGI use and didn't even realize it. Search Engines, Directories and Forums
all use CGI scripts. Scripts can run everything from a form on your web site to
an affiliate program. They can give you the power to completely automate your
web site.
There are scripts online that can automate all of the following:
* Make your product available for download * Take the customers order * Approve
it right online * Send your customer a password * Send you a confirmation of
the order
You can sell your products around the clock and never lift a finger.
SuperScripts - http://www.superscripts.com/
If you have a subscription box on your web site, then you're already using a
program to process the information. That's a good start however, there are many
additional ways you can use this powerful technology.
Here are some great scripts to get you started.
The Master Series:
Master Form
This form will enable you to have the results emailed to you or to a specified
address. It can write your information to a database file and even enable you
to have a personalized thank you page. In addition, you can even have
multi-page forms with no limit on the number of pages. Master Feedback
Allow your visitors to provide you with feedback. Master Feedback enables you
to add your own information fields with radio buttons, checkboxes, dropdown
lists and text fields. The great thing about using Master Feedback is that it
helps you spam- proof your site by not requiring your email address anywhere on
your page.
Master Recommend
Word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising. Master Recommend will
enable your visitors to recommend your web site to a friend. This great script
is multi-lingual, which means that the emails sent can be written in any
language.
Master Subscriber Pro
Enable your visitors to subscribe to multiple ezines by checking the boxes
beside the publication they wish to subscribe. They'll only need to enter their
email address one time and won't be forced to leave your web site.
The great thing about this script is that it is compatible with ezines hosted
with Egroups, Topica, etc., or any ezine that uses an email address for
subscriptions.
Master Syndicator
If you write articles, Master Syndicator will enable you to syndicate your
content. You simply copy and paste your article into a form and click on
submit. Your article will instantly be ready for syndication. To display your
content, webmasters will need to place two small lines of JavaScript within
their web page where they'd like the article to display. Each time you update
your article, every web site using your code will automatically be updated.
The Master Series scripts can be found here:
http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?wsnet/willmaster
WebBBS
This great script will enable you to set up your own forum. Unlike most
bulletin board scripts, WebBBS stores messages as simple text files and creates
HTML pages as needed.
This great script supports automatic quoting of message text and email
notification of those who want to be informed of new posts.
http://awsd.com/scripts/webbbs/index.shtml
WebAdverts
Set up a rotating banner system on your web site and track response rates.
WebAdverts will enable you to not only set up a rotating banner system, but if
you'd like, you can set up your own banner exchange. Banners can be displayed
on your pages using SSI tags, IFRAME tags, or standard IMG tags.
The great thing about this script is that you can include banners on
CGI-generated pages. In addition, you can filter the banners by allowing
certain banners to appear only on certain pages. This script is a little
complicated, but well worth it.
http://awsd.com/scripts/webadverts/index.shtml
Links
If you've ever wanted to set up a directory, this great script will make it
simple. It is modeled after Yahoo and inspired by The CGI Resource Index. It
can be completely customized to match the look and feel of your web site.
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/scripts/links/
POD
The Personal Open Directory script will enable you to pull the contents of the
Open Directory Project into your own web pages. It is completely customizable
and will enable your visitors to have access to this great directory without
leaving your web site. http://grohol.com/downloads/pod/dmoz/
Learn more about CGI: http://www.howstuffworks.com/cgi.htm
Locate CGI Scripts:
http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/
If you're not utilizing the full benefits that CGI has to offer, you're missing
the boat. Not only will it save you a great deal of time, but it will also
process your information around the clock. Scripts can assist you in making
your web site an interactive community and bring your site to life.
About the Author
Shelley Lowery is the Webmistress of Web-Source.net. Your Guide to Professional
Web Site Design & Development. Subscribe to Syndicator Etips for fresh,
original articles to assist you in Web Design, Internet Marketing &
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