Integrated web ring site and method for presenting information

A method for controlling information relating to a theme, the information being available on an integrated web ring (IWR) of a host and a plurality of partners, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of partner Web pages and provided by the partners relating to the theme;
• providing a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web site including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• authorizing the host to select a partner Web page;
• and
• providing a link from the host Web site to the selected partner Web page.

A method of adding retail partners to an Integrated Web Ring (IWR) site that provides a host Web site dedicated to a theme, the IWR site comprising partner Web pages, wherein the host Web site is accessible by users, each partner providing at least one partner Web page related to the theme of the IWR site accessible by links from the host Web site, wherein at least some of the partners are retailers offering products whose sale via the IWR site brings commissions to the host;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• receiving a request for membership in the IWR site from a candidate retail partner having at least one page on its partner Web site related to the theme of the IWR site;
• obtaining agreement from the candidate retail partner to abide by a stated policy;
• reviewing the Web site of the candidate retail partner to determine if the content does not violate content criteria for IWR partners;
• and
• joining the candidate retail partner to the IWR site if the candidate retail partner has met the requirements of obtaining and reviewing steps and by means of a contract identifying payment procedures and responsibilities of both the retail partner and the host.

An integrated web ring (IWR) site of a host and a plurality of partners for providing and managing information relating to a theme, the IWR site comprising:

• a plurality of partner Web pages relating to the theme and provided by the partners;
• a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web site including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• a link from the host Web site to a selected partner Web page;
• and
• a common navigational tool provided by the host Web site for searching and accessing only the host Web pages and the selected partner Web page.

An integrated web ring (IWR) method of a host and a plurality of partners for providing and managing information relating to a theme, the IWR method comprising the steps of:

• identifying a plurality of partner Web pages relating to the theme and provided by the partners;
• providing a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web page including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• linking the host Web site to a selected partner Web page;
• and
• supplying to users a common navigational tool accessible via the host Web site for searching and accessing only the host Web pages and the selected partner Web page.

A method for providing information relating to a theme and for a presenting product related to the theme, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an integrated web ring (IWR) site including a plurality of partner Web pages relating to the theme and provided by the partners;
• providing a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web site including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• and
• linking the host Web site to selected partner Web pages wherein the IWR site is presented as a resource and wherein the host Web site presents the product in association with the IWR site.

An integrated web ring (IWR) site of a host and a plurality of partners for providing and managing information relating to a theme, the IWR site comprising:

• a plurality of partner Web pages relating to the theme and provided by the partners;
• a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web site including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• a link from the host Web site to a selected partner Web page;
• and
• a display of additional information relating to the partners.

An integrated web ring (IWR) site of a host and a plurality of partners for providing and managing information relating to a theme, the IWR site comprising:

• a plurality of partner Web pages relating to the theme and provided by the partners;
• a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web site including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• a link from the host Web site to a selected partner Web page;
• and
• a customized newsletter option selectable by each user which periodically delivers to each particular user selecting the option information relating to topics designated by the selected user.

An integrated web ring (IWR) site of a host and a plurality of partners for providing and managing information relating to a theme and for tracking access to the information by users, the IWR site comprising:

• a plurality of partner Web pages relating to the theme and provided by the partners;
• a host Web site provided by the host and accessible by users, said host Web site including a plurality of host Web pages relating to the theme;
• a link from the host Web site to a selected partner Web page wherein the link is controlled by the host;
• tracking software for monitoring user access to the IWR site, to the selected partner Web page and to the host Web pages and generating performance indicators relating to the tracked user access;
• and
• a common navigational tool provided by the host Web site for searching and accessing only the host Web pages and the selected partner Web page.