Datafeeds and tools for them.

Which tool to choose? Which is more flexible? Better to use for import?

[Nefig]

Hello everybody. I just joined WebmasterWorld a few days ago, great forums, a lot of encouragement!

Let me introduce myself first. I'm in web-developing business since I-dont-remember-when, done some SEO a few times, but now mostly stuck with little stupid
HTML websites for small businesses, built probably about 300 of them: 9-5 job.

I don't write scripts from scratch, but certainly can read or fix errors and speak with programmers in same language. What else.. Like to think that I'm very good with HTML coding, always try to automate & analyze everything and believe that working smart is better than working HAARD.

So my question is... Just started building my Online Empire; to start with, decided to build a few datafeed-based sites.

1. I want to build a couple HTML sites and trying to figure out which tool to use to integrate merchants datafeeds.

The reason I want to start with HTML is I'm able to customize them as much as I like;

2. Meanwhile I'm trying to find simple enough CMS for creation niche sites, with customers feedbacks\reviews, articles, etc., that is my Second Question.

Also I'm thinking about playing with ClickBank Marketplace, what do gurus think? No certain numbers, just opinions;

I hope I don't ask too much, just wondering if I'm moving in the right direction and probably looking for some encouragement :) Thank you all for being professional, I just love it.

[edited by: eljefe3 at 6:06 am (utc) on April 15, 2005]

[MrSpeed]

For Q1 do yourself a favor and use php/mysql to build these types of sites. There are desktop applications that allow you to work with datafeeds but then you have 1000's of files to upload and changes are a pain in the butt.

The skills you learn by doing this will pay big dividends.

There are a number of very easy to install apache/php/mysql/ packages that will allow you to develop right on your desktop.

[catchmeifucan]

data feed site will get you duplicate content penalize if you don't handle it well. One of my sites just got dropped completely.

[Nefig]

Thanks to everybody.

Building php/mySQL sites is my next step, for now I want to play around with HTML sites first.

Of course, I know about duplicate penalty and have a lot of ideas how to create unique pages, since I have a lot of experience working with complex html sites - I can build them pretty fast and test niches/products while creating something serious.

MrSpeed, so the answer is - get/create nice SE-feiendly CMS and do it right... I understand not many of hard-working guys will be willing to share names of the tools they use, like CMS's or desktop solutions, but if some of you feel too good, you can always sticky me :)

Ok, sun is shining, soon I will start posting my $300/day messages! And noobie questions, obviously :)

[derekwong28]

You can have a look at these

1. Webmerge - seems to be the most commonly used, but requires some learning.

2. Scriptfeed - custom written for shareasale but can be adapted for CJ amd others. The sites generated has already got an adsense block built in. However, it is not on sale and you have to barter with the owner

3. Megacgi - they have got customized websites for well known affiliate programs such as allposters, overstock, bettymills and others.

I haven't tried any of these yet and would be interested if anybody can give some input on the above.

[anallawalla]

Before rushing to try some script, see if you can find actual sites that appear to be using them. Find out how many pages from that site have been indexed. That should eliminate some of the free ones, if you want all of the data feed to be indexed.

[fischermx]

Sorry if this question is stupid, but by datafeed are you talking about XML feeds?

[Nefig]

fischermx, no, IMO it soesn't sound stupid at all, although I can't tell what 'pure' XML feed is...

AFAIK datafeed is just a general term for any structured data provided by merchants.

Do XML feeds have any serious advantages, by the way? I understand what XML is, but never got a chance to actually DO anything with it :)

And, by the way, many sites created with Webmerge are indexed well enough, so I may start using it as a temporary solution...

[fischermx]

although I can't tell what 'pure' XML feed is...

Nor I do. Oh, well a pure 'XML' feed is a done through an HTTP request. The feed you get from Gigablast, Alexa, even Google and Yahoo API returns 'XML' feeds.
So, an XML feed is a stream of structured data.

AFAIK datafeed is just a general term for any structured data provided by merchants.

After I saw what that product "Webmerge" is, I get the idea now.

I understand what XML is, but never got a chance to actually DO anything with it :)

PPC engines like Kanoodel, SearchFeed, Search123, all of them provide you with an XML feed. So, take a guess.

And, by the way, many sites created with Webmerge are indexed well enough, so I may start using it as a temporary solution...

From what I've read on the fron page of webmerge site, they are basically a utility that generates plain HTML files from a database, like Ms Access, Excel, etc.

So, I learned a new webmaster term today :)

Thanks!