Use CGI to Automate Your Web Site
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.