JUDGING CRITERIA
The criteria that should be considered in judging a site are as follows:

Mission Accomplished
The site should achieve its mission whether that mission is to sell widgets or sell stocks or keep employees informed. All content, artwork, and code should be relevant to the overall mission.

Navigation and Structure
Navigation and structure refers to the overall organization of the site. Good structure and navigation enables the visitor to easily find what he or she is looking for and enable the visitor to move intuitively throughout the site. Good navigation helps the visitor get where he or she wants to go and get back without feeling lost.

Content
Content refers to the information on the site. It should be easy to read, well written and concise as well as relevant to the site's mission. Good content should be appropriate to the site, useful and engaging.

Visual Design
Visual design refers to the appfearance of the site. Effective visual design doesn't have to be cutting-edge but should be effective and relevant to the site's mission and appealing to the visitor.
Interactivity: An interactive site isn't just one with flashing banners and rollovers. An interactive site is one that invites the user to do something whether it be to chat, complete a feedback form, conduct commerce, play a game or search the site. Interactive elements do not have to be complex programs but should engage the user.

Functionality
Functionality is the use of technology on the site and good functionality makes the technology invisible and focuses on the experience.

Functionality includes working links, fast load times, and browser independence. All technology on the site should be relevant to the site's mission and not included for the sake of including it.

Overall Experience
The overall experience of the site encompasses navigation, structure, content, visual design, interactivity, functionality and whether or not all of these criteria helps meet the site's mission.

JUDGES
Boston Web Design
www.bostonwebdesign.com

Spinfish Web
www.spinfish.com

NewsDay
www.newsday.com

Infinity Design Studios
www.infinitydesignstudios.com

Plan B Marketing Communications
www.PlanBMktg.com

Ottaway Newspapers
ottoway.com

Seven Days
www.sevendaysvt.com

Shop Local
www.shoplocal.com