A method and mechanism for servicing a request for a web page from a user over a worldwide computer network using a portal management system. A user transmits a request for a web page with one or more portlets to a portal web server. The portal web server communicates with one or more web providers to obtain content for any portlets on the web page. Each web provider may communicate with one or more content retrievers, or access pre-rendered web pages generated by a performance engine, to retrieve content necessary to render the web page. Each content retriever may communicate with a content provider to obtain content. The portal web server assembles the requested web page using stored information and the appearance and operation of the web page and content supplied by the web provider.