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.
Visit SuperScripts for
a large selection of commercial scripts.
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.
Click here for the Master Series scripts.
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. It also supports automatic
quoting of message text and email notification of those who want to be informed of
new posts.
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.
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.
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.
Learn more about CGI at HowStuffWorks.
Locate CGI Scripts at The CGI Resource Index
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.
