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Rating System

Date

Site Title
Site Address
Rating

Design and Layout:
Rather self-explanatory. This category is all about having a visually attractive site. I think what I really look for is the incorporation of graphics and not an overload of too many images on the same page. Also I look to see that there is some kind of theme throughout the site instead of a whole bunch of pages that look like they belong on another site. Not to mention, there should be some originality here. I mean, hopefully your site does not look like everyone else's.
A possible 2 stars earned here.

Organization:
Ask yourself this: can people find what they're looking for? Do my categories make sense? If you answer no to either of those questions, fix it! I don't know off the top of my head what a link like "Higher Visions" is going to go to, so I probably won't look. Also, your site should be uniform in layout without a whole lot of clutter. This mean, you don't put 50 images on the main page (or any page!) and expect people to think that looks nice. Also, group your links. Don't do things like linking each individual page of a gallery on your main page. Make a sub-category that has the general title of "Gallery" and let the viewer explore. 

Broken links suck. If your site is not complete (or have enough information to make it viewable) don't make it public. If a section is something you're thinking about adding, but haven't yet, don't put a link to it. And don't put text there either. Then people will wait for it. And when you finally get around to it they'll be ungrateful because they feel like they've been waiting and you've just been lazy. Surprise them and they will love you.
A possible 2 stars earned here.

Advertising and Broken links:
Broken links suck. If your site is not complete (or have enough information to make it viewable) don't make it public. If a section is something you're thinking about adding, but haven't yet, don't put a link to it. And don't put text there either. Then people will wait for it. And when you finally get around to it they'll be ungrateful because they feel like they've been waiting and you've just been lazy. Surprise them and they will love you.

Also, a hundred pop-up windows of ads and "Vote for Me" requests will not a happy surfer make. Get rid of it. IF someone wants to vote for you, they will do so on their own accord. Pop-ups make people angry--- remember that. And you don't want angry viewers. Too many ads give me the impression that you're just making the site for the money and you really care nothing about it. As soon as the next big thing emerges, you'll be all over it, abandoning Card Captor Sakura like yesterday's news. Do it because you love it. Otherwise, you'll grow to hate it and eventually making your website will be a burden and not a hobby.
A possible 2 stars earned here.

This section has been removed to take away prejudice placed on sites that are on free servers or those sites that have no control over their advertising. Broken links now factors into the score for "Organization." The two points in this section have now been added to "Content." Sites reviewed on or before August 6th, 2001, will be re-reviewed on the new system.

Content:
I cannot stress this enough. Content does not just mean you have tons of images and short character profiles. It means there are things for visitors to do, whether it be read, download or shop. If I can go through a site in 5 minutes, then there was nothing there. If nothing catches my eye that I feel like I might want to read later or send to a friend, then I won't ever come back, or for that matter, tell anyone else about it (unless I'm reviewing it ^_^;) That is not a good way to have a site. Because often times, although webmasters do do this for pleasure, they also really want feedback. And what is there to ask when there is nothing that makes the viewer think or wonder or curious?
A possible 2 stars earned here.  Content is now out of 4 stars.

Overall:
This is basically what I think of the site, how it's put together and the general attitude of the people who run it. Believe me, enthusiasm sells. You wouldn't buy things if the people in the advertisements looked sad. Same as you won't support a site with a constantly griping webmaster. Please, your fan website is not your diary. Repeat that. Own it. I also incorporate the desire I have to return to the site and tell others about it in my overall impressions.
A possible 2 stars earned here.

Total

See, that's not so unreasonable. If everyone learned from other's mistakes, then the world (and internet) would truly be a better place. ^_~