OUTSTANDING WEBSITE CRITERIA

AMAZING CONTENT CRITERIA

CRITERIA

First Impression My initial impression when I click on the site. Do I want to continue looking or do I want to click away? Design Your design MUST step outside of the norm. If your site is traditional in look (standard frame sets, standard navigation), it will not qualify. I am looking for* exceptional* graphical web design. I want to be inspired...not see something similar to everything else out there (no matter how nicely done it is..) Visual Appeal (Aesthetics & Beauty of the site) Does it invite people in visually? Does it encourage visitors to look around? Is the layout easy to follow? Exceptional Graphics Are the graphics clean, neat and appealing? How are they used? Do they enhance the site or detract from it? User Friendliness (easy to navigate) Is the navigation easy to find? Easy to use? How long does it take to find what I'm looking for? How quickly can I find out what is on this site? Graphic Extras (Java, Dynamic HTML, etc) What website extras are included? Do they enhance or detract from the site? Are rollovers used? If so, are they purposeful? Professional Appearance (even personal sites can look professional!) Would this be a site I could look at during work hours? Site Offerings (what does the site give to the user?) What does the site tell me? Teach me? Show me? Do I come away with a memorable experience after visiting?? Did I bookmark this site for future use? OBVIOUS DISQUALIFIERS These disqualifiers are things I don't like to see on a website and that will make me automatically disqualify it: CONTENT NO adult sites, no adult links...I have to be proud to link to your page. If your material or content might offend people who come to my site, consider it not eligible. (My mother reads these pages). No pages of links only - you MUST have original content. It MUST be presented in an appealing manner, easy to read, NO grammatical or spelling errors. If you can't proofread your pages, then you need to reassess your site. GRAPHICS & DESIGN Distracting backgrounds. I intensely dislike backgrounds that intrude upon the page. If your background is the FIRST thing I notice when I come on your page, I'm not likely to go any further. If reading your text is difficult due to your background, or colors that do not contrast well, I will not continue. Excessive graphics or animations - graphics should not be the content No Cookie Cutter design. As I use Dreamweaver, I don't care if you use a WYSIWYG program to create - it just shouldn't LOOK like a cookie cutter site. (ie Frontpage templates). - Design must be yours.If your graphics, background, etc are pulled from someone else's site, it isn't your design. 85% of the graphics on your site MUST be yours. In addition, it must step outside of the normal web design rules...but do it beyond well. EXTRAS Pop Up Windows...while I understand that some companies require them if you use their site, if you don't have to, don't. They just get in the way of what you are presenting on your site. Plug-ins - Don't make me download a plug-in. If I can't see your site from the onset, I won't continue. Please.....Check out the Winners of this award. I do not give this award lightly. They are few and far between, but they exhibit what I like to see in a website...and what I will award. Eventually, I will work on awards for beginners and different levels, but for now, I will only award sites that inspire ME to do better myself. If it makes me say WOW, then you just might win. Does your site qualify? Have you checked out the winners?

CRITERIA

First Impression & Design Does your first page tell easily what your website is set to achieve? Does the design match the objective? (for instance, if your page is meant for kids, will kids like the design of it?) Content..Content...Content... Does your website exist to help others? Are you nonprofit? What do you give to the people who visit? Your site must have extraordinary content, help, advice, personal experiences or other information with the sole intent of informing and helping others. User Friendliness (easy to navigate) Is the navigation easy to use? How quickly can I find what what I need? Professional Appearance (even personal sites can look professional!) Would this be a site I could look at during work hours? Would I be proud to forward your website to my family and friends? OBVIOUS DISQUALIFIERS These disqualifiers are things I don't like to see on a website and that will make me automatically disqualify it: Content NO adult sites, no adult links...I have to be proud to link to your page. If your material or content might offend people who come to my site, consider it not eligible. (My mother reads these pages). No pages of links only - you MUST have original content. It MUST be presented in an appealing manner, easy to read, NO grammatical or spelling errors. If you can't proofread your pages, then you need to reassess your site. Graphics & Design Distracting backgrounds. I intensely dislike backgrounds that intrude upon the page. If your background is the FIRST thing I notice when I come on your page, I'm not likely to go any further. If reading your text is difficult due to your background, or colors that do not contrast well, I will not continue. Excessive graphics or animations - graphics should not be the content Extras Pop Up Windows...while I understand that some companies require them if you use their site, if you don't have to, don't. They just get in the way of what you are presenting on your site. Plug-ins - Don't make me download a plug-in. If I can't see your site from the onset, I won't continue. Please..... I do not give these awards lightly. Check out the winners of these award. They are few and far between, but they exhibit what I like to see in a website...and what I will award. Eventually, I will work on awards for beginners and different levels, but for now, I will only award sites that inspire ME to do better myself. If it makes me say WOW, then you just might win. Does your site qualify? Have you checked out the winners? Go to the next step to submit your website.