• What question(s) do I need answered?
• What do I want the Web site to tell me?
• Is the Web the best place to look for the information I need?
• Does this site meet my needs?

Whether a site is good or bad depends on your reasons for using the site.

• Who is the author or sponsor of this site?
• What makes them an expert on this topic?

Anyone can publish on the Web and say they are an expert. You need to look for clues to see if they are really qualified. If you cannot find an answer, chances are it isn’t a site you should use.

• Why was this site created?
• Does this site acheive its purpose?
• For whom was this site created?
• Who published this site?

Some sites are there to help you learn or keep you informed, others may be available just to entertain you or to sell you something.

• Does it contain fact or opinion?
• Is the information accurate? (Compare it to similar information sources.)
• If the site offers advice, does it give you options or choices?
• Is the information easy to understand?
• Does the site give me the sources they used for their information so that I can check out the facts?
• Does it have links to other useful sites such as associations?
• Can I find my way around the site without too much trouble?

Try to find a bibliography or resource list that was used in developing the site. This is where you may need to check facts against other standard resources to verify the accuracy.

• When was the site first published?
• Has the site been recently updated?
• Is the information current enough for my topic?

The timeframe of your topic will determine if the currency or timeliness of the site meets your needs.