A project for one of my current classes is to pick a business website, critique it, and come up with a basic new design for the site.
What I'm wondering is if there is a checklist of guidelines out there that fits my needs....
I mainly need this for filler space, as I need to have a report of sorts on the site, so I would like to have a check list for before and after.
I've found a few, but they are either extremely outdated, too complex, or just plain stink.

Any suggestions?

This might help you fill some space.

1. Pages can be downloaded within 35 seconds with 28.8k modems.
2. Pages and layout appear the same in Internet Explorer and Netscape.
3. Pages can be viewed satisfactorily using 600 X 480, 800 X 600 and 1040 X 768 resolutions.
4. Allowances have been made for browsers that:

a. Do not support graphics
b. Do not support frames
d. Do not support Java Script

5. Navigation buttons are clear and easily assessable.
6. Main topics can be accessed in less than 3 clicks.
7. Content pages lengths are within 3 scrolls per page.
8. There are less than 3 frames per page.
9. There are not more than 3 animated pictures per page.
10. There are at most 3 Banner ads or advertisements per page.
11. Page layout and navigation are consistent every page.
12. "Normal" text font is not less than 10 point or more than 12 point.
13. Text colors are easy to read.
14. Background pictures do not obscure text.
15. There are no spelling or grammatical errors.
16. All telephone numbers and email addresses are correct.
17. There are no broken links.
18. All programs have been checked thoroughly.
19. There are appropriate titles in the title tags and description in the meta tags.
20. Survey forms/registration forms do not take more than 3 minutes to complete.

Originally posted by iceishot.com
2. Pages and layout appear the same in Internet Explorer and Netscape.
Ignore this one. Everyone's all excited 'bout websites looking the same, but when IE does it's own little thing and doesn't follow standards, it ain't goin' look the same as in NS.

The site should be usable in both IE, NS, Opera, etc. but they don't have to look the same.

Also, do a standards check <http://validator.w3.org> and check for Section 508 compliance (it's fun!) <http://bobby.watchfire.com>

Make sure every page has a way back to the previous page as well as the home page without having to use the browsers back button.

Make sure all your images have their ALT tags completed.

Simon

That's a good checklist for the designer but I'm putting together a startup packet for new clients that will help them get all of their info together for us. Anyone have any ideas for what to include in the client's checklist?