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This section will test the CREATIVITY and ORIGINALITY FACTOR of your site, which includes innovative solutions, visualization, creativity, originality, technology used and distinctiveness. Each of the following subjects will count toward one point of this section's total.

1. Vision of new and Sophisticated Activities

Your view on new or sophisticated activities are reflected in site content and presentation (design), and does not necessarily mean that you must make use of advanced technology to make a point. However, if your site reveals that you are constantly taking action to come up with new ways or ideas to enhance or improve your presentation (and even content), you will have earned our attention.

2. Explanations and Problem Solving Techniques

Wrapped up in one word: "interpretation". Are your visitors and our evaluators able to "understand" what you have to say? Do you understand your own content? Proof it by utilizing features to explain possible difficult terms.

3. Attitude and Way of Thinking (Philosophy)

Are you a leader or are you following the leader? We will check to see if you are able make your ideas understood and whether you stick to your guns once you have made your point. Your topic may become the discussion issue of tomorrow. Make an original statement. Help the world - your opinion counts!

4. Investigation and Research Work

By doing accurate research (in content, resource, market, similar products or services) you would be able to forecast the present and future needs for both your business (website) and your customers (visitors). Provide the necessary room for improvement, you will find that implementation of future changes (expected or unexpected) will be much faster and easier to complete.

5. Effective use of Java, Dynamic HTML

Java and/or DHTML still grow in popularity, and are commonly used by webmasters and web designers to create (program) special effects or functions, normally not possible by using standard HTML. We will evaluate whether you have used these technologies well and the overall effect they have on your website and the purpose of use.

6. Effective use of Shockwave, Flash

Flash and/or Shockwave is another way to enhance your website. Although not required, we will check the effectiveness and integration of this technology, if used. Find a useful way to use this technology other than a few words of welcome flashing on and off. A well-developed menu bar, a useful help tool or a great introduction to your site may help your cause.

7. Effective use of Audio and/or Video

Use of sound or video is not a must, but it will certainly enhance your presentation a great deal, and may help your visitors to better "understand" your message. The most commonly used formats are Windows Media Format, MPEG, Real Audio or Quick Time. We will test both effectiveness and quality of the media used, and your site's ability to stay focused.

8. Database, Inventory Integration

Use of databases that control some of your website?s operations will save you and your visitors a great deal of time. They are especially useful if used to store or record information, such as online shopping applications (shopping cart), record visitor statistics, mailing lists, search facilities etc.

9. Distinctiveness in Multitudinous Appeal

This subject will evaluate the numerous ways your website can make an appealing impact on us, as viewed from a visitor's or customers point of view. Your website should literally "talk" to your visitors, or should make a charming or very interesting statement.

10. Memorable

Will your site leave a "print" on our minds when we leave? Do you utilize all available resources to create an unforgettable experience? Is your domain name easy to remember? Will we be able to describe your website's main characteristics when we hear your domain name after we leave your site?

11. Emotional Impression

How does the sight of your website make your visitors feel.... happy or sad? Does your website give the impression that its visitors are welcome, or does it ?tune? their mood to gloom and doom? This has a lot to do with the topic, colors and graphics you use, additional technology may add to the overall impression of emotion you wish to impress on your users. Whatever method you use to ?tune? the mood of your visitors it must be used correctly and carefully.

12. Remarkable Distinction

Your website must be able to "amaze" us / your visitors or customers with unique, new effects and/or characteristics. A simple flash movie made on a prefabricated template will not do the trick.

13. Innovative Exceptionality

We will test your website's ability to come up with "something" new and modern, yet unique, something you specialize in and which cannot be too easily matched by your competitors.

14. Innovation in Content

Has your site created something brand new or taken the world by storm with an idea used in a way that's never been seen the way you show it? Is your site content up to date? Does it show an understanding of what's new and modern? Does it reflect your innovative and inventive skills and knowledge?

15. Insight

It is important that your visitors are able to understand what you have written and that the presentation of your content is expressed with skill, knowledge and authority on your chosen subject or topic? The way in which you express your ideas will show whether or not you have a good grasp of your own site's content. This subject will test your ability to come up with intellectual content and the degree to which you can show your own understanding of your chosen content.

16. Advanced Solutions

Will the solutions to your design and programming issues stand out distinctly and show that your site is innovative and special? Will your site show that you are able to use the latest solutions to fix old problems? Will your site show that you are aware of new techniques and that you are willing to use them?

17. Originality of Components

Does your site show original use of all site elements? Does it use new and original techniques to make the whole site more pleasant and interesting for your users? Did you create your own components and stay away from templates?

18. Variations

In stead of keeping everything strictly the same on every page, slight variations in your website will prevent your visitors from becoming bored. Slight changes in theme or color and even graphics in different sections or parts of your site will add interest and depth. Are you able to implement these changes while allowing your visitors to know they are still on the same site with a simple glance of any page?

19. Elegance

Are the elements of your site used with elegance, grace and skill? Will your site give your visitors a stylish and pleasant experience? Are elements placed in a way that nothing ?sticks out like a sore thumb?? Does the atmosphere of your site make visitors feel comfortable and at ease with the beauty of your chosen elements? Do your pages flow smoothly one to another?

20. Creativity of Resources

Sometimes, less is more - more pleasant, more interesting, faster, and more beautiful. Are your chosen elements used with resource and skill? Have you used all elements on your site to their full potential? Does your site show how to make the most of what it offers without adding elements or objects that are not needed?

Evaluation Criteria Pages:

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