PROJECT 1: DIGITAL NETWORK PRODUCT BUSINESS:

See what better graphics, stronger "site personality" and faster graphic downloads can do for a site.

Seventies television's Steve Austin was as good as dead when the decade's finest surgeons and engineers joined forces to make him "the world's first bionic man." The loosely outlined goals of this transformation, you'll remember, were to create a man who was better, stronger, and faster, improving Austin's human attributes-legs, an ear, an arm, an eye-with the best technology that six million dollars (not adjusted for inflation) could buy.

Today's technology-at least that we know about-hasn't focused on the improvement of the human form or even on bionics as a science. We have used technology to create a network of computers that crosses the globe, and on it we have placed an intricate web of documents covering every imaginable topic, every conceivable interest. And we have made it accessible-both to view and to publish within-to anyone with the requisite hardware and browser. But that doesn't mean we can't still make it better, stronger, and faster.

So we at ZD Internet MegaSite have set out, with a simple goal (and a budget considerably smaller than $6 million), to rebuild the Web, one site at a time. Not that we expect to build Websites of "bionic" caliber, but only that we can demonstrate what good planning, professional skill, the right tools, and a bit of foresight can do to improve the average Website.
In our first project, Atlanta-based design firm The Melia Design Group shows how better navigation and a stronger "site personality" can be used to enhance Digital's Network Product Business site.

THE 7 MAKEOVER CRITERIA:

1. overall appearance 2. use of graphics 3. content 4. navigability 5. use of new technology & products 6. code site management 7. communications What makes a high-quality Website? Ask 100 people, and you'll get 100 different answers. We've narrowed it down to seven basic criteria, which are the basis upon which we evaluate each site-both before and after-when doing our Website Makeovers. As a general rule, these seven steps should always be top-of-mind to anyone building, maintaining, or even refreshing a Website.