Web Interactivity Chart
by Dr. Ralph F. WilsonWeb Marketing Today, August 25, 1996, Issue 20
This is an appendix to the article "Web Interactivity and Customer Focus" which first appeared in Web Marketing Today, .
| Category | Type | Description | CGI
Java |
| To the Customer:
Information Retrieval | Hypertext (words and pictures) | Web pages in hypertext. Customer may select information as needed from a menu or from highlighted words in the text. Thumbnail pictures when selected open larger photographs. More sophisticated Web sites use image maps to aid in navigation. | |
| Search engine on Web site | Information in a Web site may be retrieved through key words entered in a search engine. | CGI | |
| Database | A database file may be accessed and records displayed via searches on various fields. | CGI | |
| FTP Download | Large archives of products or demos may be delivered by downloading from an FTP site. | ||
| Calculations | Calculations may be performed on your Web site responding to information entered on a form | CGI, Java | |
| Animation | Animated GIFs and JAVA applets catch the eye and provide entertainment value | Java | |
| Sound and video | As modems and ISDN lines enable faster transmission, sound and video files and live broadcasts broaden communication possibilities. | ||
| From the Customer | E-mail "mail-to" hyperlink | When a hyperlink is selected, a screen pops up enabling the user to send an e-mail message to the Web site owner. | |
| Forms to E-mail | A form enables the user to enter information in various fields to make a comment, ask a question, or place an order. Some fields must be required before the submission is accepted and e-mail is sent to the Web site owner. | CGI, may be justified by Java Script | |
| Shopping Cart | Allows customer to see products selected so far, including tax, shipping charges, and the total, and place an order. | CGI | |
| With the Customer | Chat | Real-time communication is possible between individuals who are accessing a Web site chat feature simultaneously. | CGI |
| Web Board | Web bulletin board allows posting of questions, answers, and comments which may be responded to in asynchronos time. These have some similarities to news groups and mailing lists. Especially useful for developing FAQs and customer support. | CGI |
Sidebar: CGI and Java programs
CGI and Java involve computer programming usually beyond the capability of the average Web site owner. HTML is essentially formatting tags for text and graphics. CGI and Java are hard-core computer programming which must often be adapted for a particular Web site's needs.
- CGI stands for Common Gateway Interface, computer programs on the Web server computer which are run in response to information entered on Web forms.
- Java Script is a C++-like computer program imbedded in a Web page which performs certain functions on the user's computer.
- Java applets are compiled computer programs which are automatically downloaded and run on the user's computer.
