Web Site Evaluation Considerations

WHO is responsible for the web site?

Consider:

• Does this person appear to be knowledgeable about the content?
• Does this person qualify as an authority or expert on the topic?
• Can you contact this person from the site?
• Who sponsors the site?

WHAT is the content/subject matter of the web site?

Consider:

• Is the content accurate? Error free?
• Is the information presented in an objective manner, with a minimum of bias?
• Is there real depth-of-content or is the information limited and superficial?
• Does the site overwhelm the user with too much information?
• Are links from the site appropriate and/or supportive of the content?
• Does the content have educational or informational value?

WHERE does the web site reside?

Consider:

• What is the site's address/URL?
• Is the server at a school or university? A business? A governmental agency?
• Is this a personal page with a "~" or ".name" in the URL?

WHEN was the web site last updated?

Consider:

• Is the information current?
• Does a current date matter?

HOW does the main page look and function?

Consider:

• Is the page easy to understand and use?
• Is the page well organized?
• Does the page load in a reasonable amount of time?
• Do all of the links work?
• Is the page free from (excessive amounts of) advertising?

WHY does the web site exist?

Consider:

• Is the site trying to sell something? To inform? To persuade?
• Is the same information found in other readily available sources?
• WHO is the web site's target audience?

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