Web Presentation Guide 5.1 Checklist
Modified October 2007

Accessibility

	Topic	Complete
a.	Use the Washington State Accessibility Guidelines to plan and develop accessible Websites and software applications.
b.	Implement the Section 508 Standards and WCAG Guidelines and to provide accommodation for various types of disabilities.
c.	Test and make modifications as needed with an accessibility evaluation and repair tool. Use assistive technology tools and invite an individual with a disability to participate when possible.
d.	Test for usability and invite individuals to participate, including those with disabilities.
e.	Acquire additional accessibility training as needed.

Browser Compatibility

	Topic	Complete
a.	Design to support the predominant types and versions of browsers while following the State Standards for Internet Markup Language.
b.	Use Web server logs to identify browser and platform trends.
c.	Design and test for multiple browsers, operating systems, and versions including backwards compatibility for your intended audience.
d.	Identify a recommended minimum for higher-level applications, and provide a Web link to the free browser upgrade and any necessary plug-ins when requirements are different than your general Website browser standards.
e.	Test your Website to make sure it performs similarly in all the browsers and operating systems you intend to support.

Common Look and Feel

	Topic	Complete
a.	Provide a consistent look and feel for your agency's Website, including a common navigation scheme and page layout.
b.	Create your own layout model or use the development standards located at Access Washington to present a common look and feel for your site.
c.	Follow state and agency standards and guidelines.
d.	Display the Access Washington logo.
e.	Use cascading style sheets.

Copyright

Topic		Complete
a.	Include the copyright symbol and statement at the bottom of each page.
b.	When hiring a contractor to design a Website, include “work made for hire” language in the contract to secure copyright on behalf of your agency.
c.	Consider linking the copyright notice to another page with details such as “conditions of use” and/or contact information for reporting alleged copyright infringement.
d.	Although protected by copyright, unmarked creative works may appear to the user as Public Domain material. Public domain materials can be used freely by anyone for any purpose.

External Links

	Topic	Complete
a.	Include on the agency Website an external linking policy, which contains a statement of the purpose of the agency's Website, the conditions under which the agency will place or allow external links, and the process used to monitor the external links.
b.	Review, copy, and modify the Access Washington external linking policy to create a policy statement to reflect individual agency purpose, authority and business.
c.	Review proposed changes with the Office of the Attorney General if significant changes from the model language have been made.
d.	Monitor external links on the agency's Website consistent with the process described in the adopted policy.

Hardware and Software Requirements

	Topic	Complete
a.	Keep demands on the user's workstation to minimum.
b.	Use plug-ins that are free to the user.
c.	Clearly demonstrate how and where to obtain the plug-in.
d.	Test the Web page for compatibility with various workstation configurations, especially when the Java runtime environment is required.

Hyperlinks

Topic		Complete
a.	Make sure link text accurately describes the destination page.
b.	Use text that is self-explanatory, brief and meaningful.
c.	Underline and use color to indicate text links.
d.	Provide sufficient cues to indicate that an item is clickable.

Image Design

	Topic	Complete
a.	Use appropriate file formats for images.
b.	Scale images in an image editor and use thumbnails to view large images.
c.	Optimize image compression for file size and image quality.
d.	Save image at the correct monitor resolution and test for various display settings.
e.	Use the size attributes in the <img> tag in the HTML code.
f.	Reuse images such as banners, logos, and navigation button icons.
g.	Use ALT tags for to ensure Accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
h.	Avoid common mistakes when using images on your site.

Maintenance

Topic		Complete
a.	Review and maintain Website content.
b.	Remove outdated content. Review the Records Retention section of this guide for archival information
c.	Identify and fix broken links.
d.	Identify and remove orphan files.
e.	Use a redirect page when it is necessary to move or delete a page.
f.	Communicate changes that may affect links from other sites.
g.	Communicate changes via the Washington Webmasters Listserv

Metadata for Websites

Topic		Complete
a.	Embed metadata into the section of an XHTML Web page when creating or maintaining your Web sites.
b.	Become familiar with expressing Dublin Core in the HTML/XHTML format.
c.	Extend or refine recommended elements that are unique to your agency program, as needed.
d.	See Searchability for ways to make your metadata more effective.

Navigation

Topic		Complete
a.	Make sure link text accurately describes the destination page.
b.	Design web sites so that they are easy to navigate.
c.	Provide a topical index, graphical site map and/or internal site search.
d.	Provide obvious links and/or navigation buttons to the home page.
e.	Provide an easy way to identify the current page, relative to site layout.
f.	Use the page title tag to provide a meaningful indicator of its content.
g.	Provide multiple methods of navigation.
h.	Perform navigation testing with typical users.
i.	Ensure the navigation works for specific target audiences.
j.	Use visual cues that are consistent and obvious to the user to identify navigation options.
k.	Avoid using "click here" and other generic, non-descriptive terms in link text.

PDFs

	Topic	Complete
a.	Decide if PDF is the best format for the document, or consider using HTML.
b.	Optimize Adobe PDF files for online viewing.
c.	Reduce the size of the PDF when necessary.
d.	Consider using page-at-a-time downloading and viewing with "Byte serving" or "Fast Web View" for large files.
e.	Provide information on the document size.
f.	Configure the hyperlink to the PDF document to open in a new browser window to make it easy to return to the originating Website.
g.	Provide instructions on how to download the PDF document.
h.	Provide a link to the Adobe Website to download the Reader plug-in.
i.	Create smaller linked documents to help viewing and download time
j.	Be aware if a large document with internal hyperlinks is broken into smaller files, those links will be broken unless all the files are downloaded.
k.	Make sure the PDF document is compatible with older versions of Acrobat and Acrobat Reader. Provide a link to the Adobe Website if a newer version is required.
l.	Add document information in the document properties to assist searching.
m.	Make all hyperlinks in the document active.
n.	Check your PDF document for Accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
o.	Use PDF Maker for converting Microsoft documents into PDF document.
p.	Use Acrobat Distiller when converting postscript documents (such as Adobe InDesign or Photoshop) to a PDF document.
q.	Provide a link to the originating Website within the PDF.

Performance

Topic		Complete
a.	Check the download time for the completed page as estimated by the Web-design tool or an online performance analyzer (see the Resources section).
b.	Limit the use of graphics - use multiple occurrences of the same image instead of different images. The image file will be in the user's local cache and will render quickly.
c.	Keep graphics files as small as possible without incurring unacceptable loss to image quality. Always use one of the standard Web formats for images (e.g. .jpg or .gif) and optimize the file size for the Web.
d.	Remember that every distinct graphic element (including rollover images) must be loaded the first time that a visitor hits the page.
e.	Use multimedia effects (e.g. Flash) only when they add to the user's understanding of the information.
f.	Help users predict response time in downloading large pages or multimedia files by indicating the file size of the download next to the link. Indicate sizes (in kb) for any files larger than 50kb.
g.	Use ALT text attributes for images for Accessibility for individuals with disabilities and usability for slow loading pages.
h.	Include WIDTH and HEIGHT attributes on all images and tables so the browser can draw the page quickly.
i.	Make the top of the page meaningful even when no images have been downloaded.
j.	Reduce the complexity of tables as much as possible.
k.	Ensure that the relevant network infrastructure and server hardware is adequate to support the number of visitors to your site.

Privacy

	Topic	Complete
a.	Incorporate a privacy notice consistent with the Model Privacy Notice.
b.	Include a prominent link to the private notice from the agency home page and any other pages where personal information is collected.
c.	Identify information your agency collects and describe how it is used.
d.	Assure that the collection of personal information from visitors is consistent with the adopted privacy notice.
e.	Safeguard personal information collected from visitors.

Records Retention

Topic		Complete
a.	Review the state general schedule and the records retention schedule for your office with your agency Records Officer and Information Services staff to determine if all Web records are covered. Identify those that apply.
b.	Schedule those records that are not covered by the state general schedule or your office schedule with your agency Records Officer.
c.	Assure that Website records are managed in accordance with the applicable records retention schedules.

Searchability

	Topic	Complete
a.	Make your Websites searchable. Review and include the XHTML tags within your Web pages.
b.	Review and Incorporate the Metadata for Websites.
c.	Determine a naming structure for HTML/XHTML page titles that includes words people are likely to use when they search for the content of that page.
d.	Review output of advanced reporting tools to determine search words and phrases (including misspelled words) used by visitors in searches, and include such words and phrases in page text or keywords.

Test User Environment

Topic		Complete
a.	Test links, check platform and browser independence, and Accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
b.	Test the functionality, business rules, database connections, and user interfaces of dynamic Websites.
c.	Perform a security test to keep agency servers and data safe if a site contains a Web-based application.
d.	Perform a server load test.

Usability

Topic		Complete
a.	Identify primary users.
b.	Ensure that users of the Website can complete key tasks and find critical information easily and quickly.
c.	Engage representatives from key audiences to periodically test your Website for simplicity, accessibility, ease of navigation, task completion and overall user satisfaction.
d.	Involve users early in the process when designing a new site or conducting a redesign. Develop prototypes and makes changes based on user feedback.

Video

Topic		Complete
a.	Research the various video formats (players, features, requirements, user info).
b.	Consult with server administrator(s) on available delivery methods and limitations.
c.	Review the Accessibility guidelines.
d.	Evaluate the intended audience and user connection speeds (T1, DSL, Modem).
e.	Evaluate the video requirements (format, length, quality, production, budget, timeline).
f.	Conduct user tests to ensure proper playback and delivery on various connection speeds.

Writing for the Web

Topic		Complete
a.	Be brief.
b.	Make text scannable by using headings and breaking text into short sentences.
c.	Break text into short sections of straightforward sentences.
d.	Use meaningful headings.
e.	Use lists (bulleted and numbered).
f.	Use visuals when they help convey the information.
g.	Supply links to other useful information and resources.
h.	Use the language and keywords of primary users.
i.	Use the active voice.