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By
Mark Femal
Beantree, Inc.
OIt wasn't
too long ago that full-service gas stations were on every
corner. Not only would you get a full gas tank, but someone
would also check your tires and clean your windshield. But
in today's fast-paced, convenience-oriented world, full-service
gas stations are increasingly harder to find. In the rapid
evolution of Internet Web sites, some solution providers
are taking the same self-service approach with their professionally
designed sites. Delays in updating or adding new content
based on the time frame of your Internet development company
should no longer occur. You can easily manage your content
using your Internet browser with little or no technical
knowledge. This approach combines the service and quality
you get from a professional services company who takes the
time and effort to design an aesthetically appealing Web
site with the convenience of a self-service gas station.
What are content updaters?
The growing trend of content updaters is beginning to break
down many of the technical barriers of content distribution
and publication. Whether you're a Fortune 500 company that
needs a streamlined process for your Human Resources department
to publish job listings or you are a local restaurant owner
that wants to be able to update your latest pricing for
your menu, content updaters can meet your needs to deliver
up to date information for Web site visitors.
Content updaters can add value to any Web site. With a single
update, you can also publish information to multiple Web
sites. This could include general company information, press
releases, frequently asked questions, links, job postings,
graphics, or other content.
One of the principal advantages of some content update services
is that no matter whether your content is destined for an
extranet, intranet or the Internet, the same content can
be easily distributed across all sites automatically. This
also means that if you maintain your own Internet presence
internally within your company or go through another third
party, solution providers with content update capabilities
can seamlessly display content on your existing site without
changes to any of the infrastructure for your Web site.
Where do I get an updater?
Many companies are starting to offer content updaters catering
to your needs. For instance, iSyndicate (www.isyndicate.com)
offers syndicated content using a content updater model.
The news and media partners of iSyndicate such as CNBC,
Business Wire, and Red Herring supply a feed and update
their respective content distributed by iSyndicate. For
those subscribers of iSyndicate that utilize this content,
these updates are then made available instantaneously across
all Web sites. In the case of iSyndicate, this allows subscribers
to display up-to-the minute news and market information
automatically on their Web site, several times per day.
Whether you are looking for syndicated content or a custom
application that allows you to maintain your site content,
updaters are available in many cases to suit your needs.
By using the services that are available to create a dynamic
and ever-changing Web site, your site visitors will stay
longer and think more highly of your products and services.
Your Web site will also appeal to the fast-paced and convenience
oriented consumer or business partner that will be looking
for you to provide the latest information and news about
your company.
Mark Femal is Lead Technical Analyst for Beantree, Inc.
in Appleton with 7 years of Internet development experience.
He graduated with a Computer Science degree from UW-Oshkosh
and can be reached at [email protected]..
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