Websites which can accept data, typically through publication from automated sources - but sometimes manual, are droppable data websites. They are data-ready. They wait for information to be put into certain areas and will then incorporate this into the website content.
Most importantly, droppable means the content can be "dropped in" and "dropped out" - contrast this with most websites which, when we wish to migrate to a different platform, a huge amount of pain is incurred.
Typically, website platforms run on Content Management Systems (CMS) where power users can manage content.
The biggest advantage of Data Droppable Websites - large parts of the website can accept data and put that content in different parts of the website without user intervention. This makes the website replayable in terms of seeing the website change without significant intervention.
We recommend a simple FTP folder on your webserver, with user access control. There are tools which expose FTP folders as a UNC, and finding writing an FTP publish/remove application is not that challenging.
For data content, this could be centrally created by your Business Intelligence/Management Information teams.
Curiously, we are not so sure that exposing APIs is the best approach. APIs are ostensibly RESTful, meaning Representational State Transfer. Dynamic endpoints are not RESTful, there becomes the need for clients to conform to the server's demands. We see APIs as being "opinionated".
For our implementation, we will likely restrict the size of files, and potentially minor validation of the json structure, but the aim is to remain "unopinionated".
It is simply a case of managing User Access Control to the relevant FTP folders. Nothing would prevent the creation of an API or Website GUI to permit manual uploading of data.
There are two main risks;
It is the duty of the owner/controller of the droppable data website to ensure only known content providers can publish to their platforms.
We see the biggest win is the time it saves in getting content onto your platform. Whilst not removing the need to manage content and information, increasing the amount of new content available to your audience with less effort is a real benefit.
We cannot recommend enough looking into droppable data websites more.