WriteMark criteria for webpages

Sixty-five criteria are used to assess webpages for the WriteMark. The criteria are split into the seven categories below.

• Strategic purpose
• Credibility
• Structure
• Content
• Language
• Grammar, proofreading, and style consistency
• Presentation
• Usability
• Links

 

Strategic purpose

Assessors check whether the page has a unique topic and purpose within the website. They check the page fits in with the overall purpose of the website too.

Credibility

They check to see whether the owner or sponsor of the website is clearly displayed, that you can see contact details, and can ask for help.

Structure

Assessors look at how the webpage fits into the website’s overall structure. They check the website navigation as you can see it on the page, and expect that those links are easy to find and usefully named.

Assessors also look at the page structure. They check that the main message is at the top of the screen. They also check that there are useful headings, and that main messages come first in headings, paragraphs, and sentences.

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Content

Assessors expect appropriate, accurate content that is tightly focused on the page topic. They want the page to answer the reader’s likely questions.

Language

Assessors look for language that is easy to read — short, straightforward sentences, familiar words that people use every day, active voice, and appropriate use of ‘you’ and ‘we’. Tone is important too.

Grammar, proofreading, and style consistency

Assessors check that the page is free of errors and that words are used consistently. They also check that the page is correctly punctuated.

Presentation

Assessors check for consistent, user-friendly design. They check that the elements on the page are balanced in relation to their importance and purpose.

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Usability

Assessors check that the page is easy to use. For example, are there ‘back to top’ links on longer pages? Assessors also ask whether the pages print easily, whether forms are easy to complete, and whether people with vision problems will be able to see the information.

Links

Assessors check that all the links work, and that they are self-explanatory and not embedded in sentences. They also check that links to files tell you how big the file is.

Email us to ask about an assessment for your webpage

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