|
|
| |
|
The process of applying for our award and being evaluated occurs according to the following 7 simple steps.
| Step |
Owner |
Action |
Detail |
| You |
Us |
| 1 |
 |
. |
Review Terms of Service |
To participate in this award program, applicants must agree to Terms of Service. So, it's important that you know what you're agreeing to. |
| 2 |
|
. |
Conduct Self Assessment |
Use the forms on our criteria page to conduct a self-assessment on your site. At a minimum, make sure there are no violations of Disqualificaiton Criteria. |
| 3 |
|
. |
Complete Application |
Complete and submit our online application. This step allows you to alternately submit an application by email although this is not recommended as it may slow the evaluation process. |
| 4 |
. |
|
Confirm Receipt |
It is our policy to (via email) confirm receipt of all form-based applications immediately, and all email-based applications within 14 calendar days. If you do not receive confirmation, it means there was a problem transmitting your application and you should resubmit it using one or both methods. A common cause is applicants making a typo in their email address. The email will also contain a unique "key" applicants can use to track the status of our evaluation. |
| 5 |
. |
|
Conduct Evaluation |
Within 3 weeks [1] of confirming receipt, a evaluator will fairly assess all sites and/or pages based solely on the criteria [2]. |
| 6 |
. |
|
Provide Response |
Upon completion of the evaluation, we will email a response to the applicant. The response will be factual in nature, while avoiding unnecessary criticism and improvement recommendations unless specifically requested by the applicant [3]. If the applicant wins an award, the response will also include instructions on how to obtain and post the award graphic. |
| 7 |
|
. |
Post Award Graphic |
If you win then congratulations!!! Display this distinction to the world by obtaining the award graphic and posting it per the notification email. |
Footnotes:
- If the 3-week evaluation period cannot be met, we will suspend new applications until the backlog is reduced to a point we can resume normal operations.
- In the midst of potentially evolving criteria, sites and/or pages will be evaluated based on criteria in-force at the time the application is received.
- If improvement recommendations are requested, evaluators will provide them in a positive manner.
|
|
|
