Rocket Daddy Awards are given to web sites who strive for excellence in all areas of web design. These sites are appealing
to visitors in many ways and particularly in Content, Graphic Design, Functionality, Usability, and Layout. The criteria
for our awards are based on the following ideals and questions.
Content - information. Any website can look pretty. But if it serves no purpose or does not draw the reader with valuable content, the site will unlikely receive a return visit. Some questions to help you determine the content of your site:
- What is the purpose of this site?
- Does this site present valuable information/entertainment?
- What can I learn from visiting this site?
- Does this site help me to learn more about the company, organization, or person who this site represents?
- If I am explaining a concept are all points described? Is there a visual aid such as an image or chart?
- Does the text target your intended audience?
Graphic Design - the look. They say it takes three seconds to make a first impression and this is no different on the internet. Based on the graphics and color palette visitors immediately decide if the site is meant for business, entertainment, children, or simply not worth their time. Here are some questions to consider in analyzing your site's graphics:
- Is the color palette appealing?
- Are colors consistent throughout the site?
- Do the graphics enhance your site or are they a distraction?
- Is your logo on the site?
- Does your logo represent your company well?
- If you are using Flash animations, are they quick to load?
- Do graphics slow the load time of your site?
- Do images have consistent characteristics (border, size, etc.)?
- Do headings and links have a consistent style throughout the site?
Layout - how it is organized. Most people know what they're looking for when they visit a website. If your site is hard to navigate, most visitors will quickly give up and look somewhere else.
- Does the layout of your site have a logical structure?
- Do you have a site map?
- If you have a large site, is there a search feature?
- Is your navigation easily accessible?
- Is your menu always in the same place?
- The "fold" is the area above the point where a visitor needs to scroll down. Do you have important headlines or features above the fold?
- Is your site made so that visitors do not need to scroll horizontally?
Usability - ease of use. Over the years, web surfers have been conditioned to look for similarities in websites. These similarities, such as menu placement, can be a major advantage when considering web usability. Unless you have a specific reason, you don't want to stray from a visitor's expectations.
- Is your logo also a link back to the home page?
- Is there a link back to your home page on every page?
- Do links describe where they are going?
- Do you use alt tags to describe images for visitors who are blind and for when images are broken?
- Do you provide breadcrumbs to let visitors know how deep they are in the site?
Functionality - how it works. So your visitor likes what they've seen so far. Now they want to buy your product or service. But if your menu or check out process is out of commission, you won't make the sale. If you are constantly changing your site, don't forget about links that lead to pages that don't exist or no longer work. Questions to consider for functionality:
- If Javascript is disabled, is there an alternative functionality?
- Does your shopping cart work?
- Does your check out process work?
- Do all your links work? Do they go to the correct page?
- Does your site function in all browsers?
Do you think your page has what it takes to make our list? If you would like to see it ranked on one of our sites, we would be happy to look it over. Click here to submit your site. Once we have reviewed your website, we will make a determination as to where your page ranks in comparison to others submitted. We will contact you with the good news and instruct you on how to receive your award. You have the option of simply submitting your site for a chance at our Top 100 rankings, or if you would also like a second opinion on what you already have, just let us know. The members of our staff will be happy to assess your site and provide you with some helpful comments and suggestions. Often times, a different point of view or a subtle change from here to there can make a world of difference.
If you find that your site has been ranked on one of our sites, and you have not been contacted with our congratulations, click here to claim your Rocket Daddy award. |
