The number of points achieved for each category, can also be deducted if the requirements are missing.

Design & Creativity (Up To 40 Points)

	first impression (0-4 pts)		utilize space (0-2 pts)
	page loading (0-2 pts)		ALT tags (0-2 pts) for each missing tag.
	original designs (0-4 pts)		shut off buttons for music (0-2 pts)
	themes  (0-4 pts)		"skip intro" used for flash intro's (0-2 pts)
	color balance (0-2 pts)		correct use of frames  (0-2 pts)
	clear graphics  (0-2 pts)		graphics uploaded correctly  (0-2 pts)
	optimized graphics  (0-2 pts)		lasting impression (0-4 pts)
	table alignment / centering (0-2 pts)
	browser settings  (0-2 pts)
Content (Up To 30 Points)
	state your purpose clearly (0-4 pts)		disclaimer / terms of use (0-3 pts)
	title for each page (0-3 pts)		copyrights (0-3 pts)
	headings / text teasers (0-3 pts)		grammar and spelling (0-3 pts)
	writing style / clear language (0-3 pts)		privacy statement (0-3 pts)
	contact information (0-3 pts)		family safe site (0-2 pts)

	user friendliness (0-4 pts)
	internal & external links / targeted correctly (0-3 pts)
	organized links/buttons/menus/ all matching (0-2 pts)
	alternative text links option for static menus, flash menus or dropdown menus (0-2 pts)
	back to top link for long pages (0-2 pts)
	site map provided (0-2 pts)

Scripting & Technical (Up To 15 Points)

	HTML coding checked for open tags & errors (0-2 pts) for each visible error.
	meta tags used (0-3 pts)
	1 or more  more feature must be present to win our higher awards: java scripts, flash, multimedia, php, asp,  e-commerce features, all in working order (0-10 pts)

NEW - Gold W3 Design and Coding Award (90-105 Points)
= (Click on links next to the check marks for short popup tutorials)

	Website must meet the same requirements and the "Gold" award (90-100 points), but in addition, MUST  display error free coding.  (For an additional 5 points to receive the W3 Gold Award).  HTML coding will be checked.  Website must validate using validator.w3.org.  The Markup Validator is a free service by W3C that helps check the validity of Web documents.  Web document formats like HTML and XHTML will be checked for conformance to W3C Recommendations and other standards.  Every page on your website must validate.
	New -Tutorial- Importance of CSS in Web Sites
	New -Tutorial- Building a simple website is easy

NEW - SEO Award   - Search Engine Friendly, High Ranking, Top Listing  (80-100 Points)
= (Click on links next to the check marks for short popup tutorials)

	Website must meet the same requirements as the "Silver Award" (80-100 points).. In addition, website MUST use correct meta tags and meta tag keywords.  Website must display Optimized Content (SEO), with high ranking in the major search engines. (Listed within the first 3 pages in Google, Yahoo and MSN.)  Alexa ranking will be checked also.
	New -Tutorial- Optimizing your website for the search engines (SEO)
	New -Tutorial- Introduction to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Essentials

 

Bonus Points:  Possible 13 points added to your score!  

Compliant with W3C standards (5 Points)
Free resources that will want to make visitors come back to your site! (5 Points)
Incentive for reading our criteria:  Somewhere in our criteria is a popup link with a "secret word".  If you enclose the secret word on the application form, you will receive an extra 3 points, added to your total score.  This will confirm with us that you have taking the time to read ALL OF OUR CRITERIA. :)  If you have submitted a FREE Entry form and you have not enclosed the "secret word", the AAWM reserves the right to delete your application without review, for failure to enclose the "secret word".  An enormous amount of time goes into the evaluation process of the hundreds of applications we receive monthly.  The least applicants can do, is to take the time to read ALL of our criteria.

Let's proceed with the general criteria ( Design & Creativity )

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