(This handout was prepared for a workshop given by Edwinna von Baeyer for the Editors' Association of Canada in April 1999.)
Are topics presented in a logical order that reflect content?
Can the reader access information quickly and easily?
Are content and level of detail appropriate for the audience?
Is the general tone and writing style appropriate for the audience?
Is the site accessible for most users? Blind? Diabled? Users of lower-level technology?
Has a style guide been chosen or created?
Has a document management and Web page version control procedure been established? Archives? Editing conventions?
Would additional graphic elements (a table, figure, or illustrations) improve the presentation?
Are they clear, up-to-date, and in the right place?
Are the graphics associated with the text they explain?
Do the graphics load quickly? Are figures, screen captures, and tables located in the correct place?
Do they detract from message?
Good use for navigation?
Is there a text back up for all graphics for visually handicapped or computer users with older or limited equipment?
Do background images obscure text?
Have thumbnail alternatives been created for collections of graphics?
Does text reflect rules for writing for the screen?
Is most important information on the first screen?
Short sentences?
Paragraphs in block form?
Text broken up into smaller units?
Subheadings?
Large type?
Bold text?
Highlighted text?
Bulleted lists?
Are pages consistent in layout and design?
Are terms, abbreviations, and acronyms defined?
Has terminology been used consistently?
Are the proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and language usage conventions followed according to a chosen style guide?
Has gender-related bias been avoided?
On a general level, see if navigation scheme answers:
Where am I?
Where can I go next?
How much have I completed?
How much is left?
How deep into site is important information?
Does navigation scheme reflect content?
Do pages stand alone?
Do all components work? Ex., Java; online forms; e-mail link, video clips, audio clips, Shockwave, PDF files, hyperlinks
In the "Page Properties" (in Netscape Composer) box, for example, have Web page title, author, meta tags been entered correctly ?
Check that any text, photos, graphics, maps, trademarks, fictional characters, music, video, etc. have received written permission from the creator.
Microsoft's Accessibility and Disabilities Site
Bobby Ð a software tool that will analyze how accessible your site is to users with disabilities and those using older browser versions.
Database of Usability Principles (multimedia database of suggestions for developing effective Web sites)
Land, T. Web Extension to American Psychological Association Style (WEAPA S).
Li, Xia, and Nancy Crane. Bibliographic Formats for Citing Electronic Information.
Quinion, Michael. Citing Online Sources.
Intellectual property and copyright information
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office
The Original Encyclopedia of Web Technology
Contentious -- an e-zine for web writers, editors, and content planners.
Editors' Association of Canada Web resources
HTML Writer's Guild - learn the basics and progress to advanced HTML coding
International Webmasters Association - broader view of the role of the Web editor
Information Quality WWW Virtual Library - content evaluation links
WebDeveloper, resources and tips
Willcam's Comprehensive HTML Cross Reference
Weblint helps you verify your HTML code.
Webmonkey: HTML Tutorial
The best Web sites every moment
JumpCity -- reviews of Web sites
Liszt -- searchable list of subscribed newsgroups
The Alertbox: Current Issues in Web Usability by Dr. Jakob Nielsen
Editing for the Web: Creating Compelling Hypertexts
Creating Your Site's Style Guide
Problems with Navigating in Web Applications
Hypertext Now! -- articles and other resources on structuring documents in hypertext
© Edwinna von Baeyer/EvB Communications
Last update: 30 September 2005
If you have any suggestions or other comments, please send us an e-mail: evb@magma.ca