- An excellent Web site provides focused content, which serves the needs of
visitors.
(1) It has a clear focus and purpose.
(2) It is has been developed for specific audiences.
(3)
Information and ideas on it support the overall purpose.
(4) It
provides primary sources, which are new and not readily available to
intended
audiences.
(5)
These sources are clearly cited to communicate credibility, authority, and
copyright
ownership.
(6) Effective Web pages
include relevant information, engaging graphics,
and useful links.
(7) Content on
good Web pages is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
(8) Web authors
give evidence of their knowledge, experience, or expertise on
their Web
pages.
(9) They provide
daily tips to keep visitors coming to the Web site and to
communicate that
they are on the current, cutting-edge in their work
(Cyber-Fair,
2001).
(10) Effective Web sites are
dynamic and on the cutting-edge.
(11) Current resources invite regular site visitors.
(12) Dynamic Web sites provide
visitors with means to interact, at least via
e-mail contacts.
(13) Engaging Web sites have
humanizing elements.
(14) They facilitate meaningful and productive personal and professional
relationships.
(15) Inviting Web sites
foster community.
(16) They serve and
encourage a social group and following.
(17) Effective Web sites provide easy-to-find information. (They are not
overwhelmingly cluttered.)
(18) Effective Web sites
facilitate human communication and connection.
(19) Best Practice Web
sites are intriguing and substantive.
(1) It clarifies the purpose and content of the Web site.
(2) It is not too busy.
(3) It is visually engaging & humanizing (appealing colors, graphics, images,
photos that are appropriate to purpose/audience).
(4) It effectively places a sweet spot that captures the eye of the
viewer
(good photo, image, graphic design...)
See good use of a humanized,
sweet spot in a photograph in the
St. Louis E-Magazine
(4) It appeals to and connects with viewers/audience.
(5) It is easy to read and navigate (Cyber-Fair,
2001).
(6) Examples of
Good Practice in Front Pages/Home Pages of Web sites
(UMHB students, alumni, faculty,
associates):
(a) E-Portfolios- Clayton Wallace's
Photography Portfolio;
Design Cru Portfolio,
Katsy Krebs' Talent E-Portfolio;
Step Rowe's Talent/Coaching
E-Portfolio
(b) Performing Arts Organization-
Ballet Magnificat
(c) Films- Bella,
Chronicles of Narnia,
Lord of the Rings Trilogy,
Amazing Grace,
The Passion of the Christ
(d) Churches-
Chesapeake
Church
(e) Youth Work-
Mark Howard- Work & Missions, Peake Youth;
Peake Youth Videos
(f)
Universities- UMHB,
Kennesaw State University,
Northern Michigan
University, Berkeley
- It is easy to navigate through a Web site, which is designed
well.
(1) Information on each page supports the purpose of the Web
site.
(2) The
use of links, menus clarifies how to continue to explore an idea.
(3)
Visitors know how to get back to the home & primary pages.
(4)
Links to other Web sites contribute further, appropriate resources.
(5) The
links fit into the overall structure and context of the Web site.
(Cyber-Fair,
2001)
(1) Effective Web pages have introductions,
transitions, bodies, and conclusions that are written well.
(2) On an effective Web site order, structure, and presentation of information are logical
and easy to follow.
(3)
Effective Web pages hold the audience's attention because they are
interesting to read.
(4)
Writing is simple, clear, direct, and active.
(5)
Paragraphs are structured well.
(6)
There is a logical flow from one paragraph to paragraph and page to page.
(Cyber-Fair,
2001)
(7)
Proper grammar and word-usage are used.
(8)
Punctuation is appropriate and guides the reader through the text.
(9)
Spelling is correct.
-
An excellent Web site has a pleasing and engaging appearance with a clear
presentation of material.
(1) The overall appearance and layout of pages enhance understanding of the
content.
(2) There is an aesthetic and comfortable balance of easy-to-read titles, text,
colors and graphics.
(3) Graphics enhance without cluttering and confusing.
(4) Page layouts are clear, easy to follow, and display a
consistent design
theme.
(5)
Headers and fonts contribute to the overall understanding and flow of
information.
(6)
Headers and fonts help to move the eye from main topics to supporting
details.
(7)
Colors, backgrounds, and text work together to create aesthetic but
easy-to-read pages.
(8)
Icons, buttons and graphics contribute to the appearance and flow
of information.
(Cyber-Fair,
2001)
(9) If headshots are used, they
should be professional.
(a) Headshots should convey energy and vitality.
(b) They should reveal the uniqueness of the person.
(c) They should be properly lit without shadows hiding features.
(d) Reflecting more than physical attributes, they should reveal the
inner life.
(e) Don't smile at the camera for a headshot. Include the camera.
(Charles, J., 1998).
- An excellent Web site uses a variety of information tools and technologies,
which are user friendly.
(1) Multimedia resources (sound, video, images, icons,
graphics)
contribute to the main purpose.
(2) The
site works quickly and efficiently.
(3)
Graphics load quickly, even with limited bandwidth.
(4)
Pages look good in text-only mode, when users have turned off
graphics loading
into their browser.
(5)
Pages look good in a variety of Web browsers.
(6) If
there are features, which demand higher bandwidth or sophisticated
end-user resources, an alternate low-bandwidth or text-only mode is
provided.
(7)
Links to other pages and to internal resources all work.
(8) Multimedia
resources, such as movies and sound, work properly on a
variety of
browsers.
(Cyber-Fair,
2001)
(a) You
can use free web site builders to get started; but if they add distracting
ads,
move your site.
(b)
There are many easy-to-use types of software to build Web sites such as
Frontpage or Dreamweaver.
Anecdote-
One of the most amazing recent commercial success stories concerns the auction
Web site, ebay. Out of the recent crash of countless numbers of dot.com companies,
ebay.com survived. It continues to expand and prosper. eBay was designed as auctionweb.com
in 1995 by computer programmer Pierre Omidyar. It was produced with three workers, as a
modest Web site to facilitate auctions of computer parts and collectibles by connecting
buyers with sellers. The company now has millions of users, who buy and sell billions in
merchandise. eBay.com has an enthusiastically loyal following of clients, many whom have
built entire businesses on the Web site. Experiencing a kind of social life with each
other, as well, some meet in virtual space in eBay's chat rooms, giving advice to other
users. Some meet at visceral eBay gatherings. eBay.com makes money for itself, while
making it for others. This company used Internet technologies to enable small business
merchants to enjoy a social life with each other, while empowering them to efficiently and
cost-effectively reach a mass market.
(News Hour with Jim Lehrer , 2002)
Charles, J., Bloom, T. (1998). The Actor's Picture/Resume Book.
Theatre Directories:Dorset.
Cyber-Fair Peer Evaluation Rubric. [Online] Available
http://gsh.lightspan.com/cf/rubric/evalrubric.stm#http://gsh.lightspan.com/cf/rubric/eval
, 2001.
News Hour with Jim Lehrer (2002). Transcript, Spencer Michael's Interview.
Bidding
for success. [Online] Available
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/economy/july-dec02/ebay_8-15.html.
New Text Available-
Enhanced by Technology, Not Diminished:
A Practical Guide to Effective, Distance Communication
Contact Dr. Howard
dhoward@vvm.com
On-site and/or Distance
Communication Consultation
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