IMPORTANT: This criteria pages must be read if you want to apply, or nominate a website, for this award! Recent awarded websites: Current Winners Listing:   April 2007   Includes Applications up to: 30 March 2007 Enter the Webmasters' Portal Index to view a comprehensive overview off all award winners. Consider on of the following: Evaluation Update: Our judges are currently reviewing all entries received during: Accepting Applications  [Click for more details]

This section (better known as the "pre-evaluation" round) is intended to test eligibility of all entries before we subject them to a full evaluation procedure. In order to qualify for an evaluation (Section A - E), your site credentials must pass all of the following criteria on this page. Not meeting any of the following criteria will result in an automatic disqualification!

1. Age restriction

In order to apply for this award, you must be at least 18 years of age. In most countries, 18 years is the legal age to enter any kind of competition.

We will still accept applications from people aged between 13 and 18, when the following conditions are met:

• Print application form, and complete all blanks in writing.
• Application must include a letter from parent or guardian, granting us permission to evaluate your site, correspond with you, and link to your site on the winners pages with a description of your site should your work earn any award/s.
• Applications must be sent by ordinary postal mail (See contact details on our website)

2. Site Language

In order to evaluate your website, we must be able to read and understand your content. To apply for this award, you site must be written in English, which is currently the language used most worldwide. In addition, we will also accept and evaluate Dutch and German applications, and websites that are FULLY translated to English.

If you use Translation tools from the internet:

Translation tools such as SYSTRAN were designed to translate "HTML" only! Flash, graphics, frames, CGI or other scripts cannot be translated. Only use translation services if your WHOLE SITE can be translated. If you use graphics as navigation tools, insure that there is at least a textual navigation bar somewhere in order to prevent your visitors from "getting stuck".

3. Own Domain

Your website must be hosted on it's own domain - example: http://www.yourdomain.com. (We will be very lenient on this rule, but we will definitely not accept any site being hosted on so-called "Free Host servers" - Sorry, but too many of those sites simply "disappear" and we end up with a lot of dead links)

This also means that all your pages, files, images, scripts etc. must be hosted under your ONE DOMAIN NAME, meaning you can't have any part of your site anywhere else.

In addition, we WILL NOT accept domains "redirects". (Example: Free domain names, which are redirected to another location or free host server). You must be the LEGAL OWNER of the domain you are entering, or if you are nominating the site, the name of the real owner must correspond with the name in the WHOIS database.

WHOIS: Database of all registered domains in the world. To avoid disappointment, ensure that your WHOIS data is up to date.

4. Uptime and Commitment

Your website must be up and running (online) for at least THREE FULL months on the domain you wish to enter. The reason for this is to determine your commitment to maintaining an Internet presence by keeping your site up and running, and keeping your site updated regularly. This information will be acquired using WHOIS, and checking update notices on your website.

Note: We will ask for proof in case of doubt.

5. Under Construction / Coming Soon

Sites are always under construction, and we really do understand if you want to provide room for future projects. However too many "coming soon" notices will harm your chances - restrict these to an absolute minimum. An entire section (or website) being closed (or inaccessible) because it's "Under construction" is absolutely unacceptable, and such sites will be disqualified.

Do not squander your application opportunity - If you are not sure, don't apply. Finish your site before you apply.

6. At least 10 Pages "Content"

In order qualify for a review; we will check to make sure your site has 10 pages or more of valuable content. The following will not count as content:

• Awards won or testimonies,
• Contact information,
• Process Forms
• Policy pages
• Link pages
• Search pages or similar, etc.

7. No Required subscriptions or memberships

Your site should not require your visitors to subscribe, register or login in order to gain access to your website. By this we mean that there is no possibility to access any part of your site unless we register or become a member.

When we evaluate your site, we will not subscribe to any service whatsoever. If we can't access your site, we can't evaluate it - it's that simple.

NOTE: Separate membership pages for customers are allowed and will not be penalized - we fully understand that certain things are meant for your clients only.

8. Controversial / Undesired Content

Your website or any part of it (which includes links, buttons, advertisements etc) must not contain any content that can be considered or globally viewed as controversial, illegal or unsuitable to be viewed by ALL ages and ethical groups, which includes content based on the following subjects and/or nature:

ILLEGAL CONTENT:

• Racism, discrimination and abhorrence (hate),
• Nudity*, sex and/or pornography,
• Promotion of illegal activities or crime,
• Distribution of copyrighted material, such as Warez, MP3 etc.

CONTROVERSIAL CONTENT

• Use of bad, vulgar language, profanity, etc,
• Spam, chain letters or similar activities,
• Gambling, On-line Casino or similar moneymaking schemes.
• Politics, religion or anything related,

*  Nudity shown for the sake of art will be exempt from this rule. In order for artwork to be exempt from this rule, the nudity shown must be tasteful and must not contain or portray any of the following in the opinion of all judges reviewing your site: sexual intent or representation, shock value, exploitation, abuse or harmful actions to any person, place or thing.

9. Forced banner clicks

You should never try to "Trick" or "Force" your visitors to visit your sponsors / advertisers in order to gain access to your content. Additionally, offering incentives / advantages for clicking on advertiser banners is also prohibited.

NOTE: If detected, we will report it to your respective sponsors.

10. Bandwidth Stealing

Bandwidth stealing also known as "hot linking" files that are in use by your website, but that are actually stored on a server where the site belongs to another. Your site will be disqualified if we detect any form of Bandwidth stealing.

Evaluation Criteria Pages:

Overview | Pre-evaluation | Section A | Section B | Section C | Section D | Section E | Self Evaluation Tips