Comparison checklist

1. Content - Content - Content! Your audience will return often if the information on the site is relevant and updated regularly. Is the site easy to maintain and update by a regular computer user?
2. Skin / template: All good "content management systems" separate the style from the content by using "skins" or "templates" to control the look of the site. This makes it easy, for example, to apply a seasonal template to the site or give it a complete makeover without having to reformat any of the site content.
3. Search: Is a search function provided. As your website grows it becomes more difficult for users to find particular articles. Your site should have an internal search function.
4. Mailform: You can reduce spam by not posting your email address on your website. A mailform makes it easy for users to contact you directly from your website. You should have one on your site!
   
5. Site navigation: Your site should be easy to navigate. The table of contents should be automatically updated when you edit your site. (You should not need to manually create links to the different pages of your site.)
   
6. Accessibility: Your site should be accessible by visually impaired or blind people. How does your site sound on a screen reader?
   
7. Quick: Your site should load quickly. The web pages should be free of hidden "bloat" that slows down page loading.
   
8. News: Does your site require a "news" feature where you can easily highlight new articles, events or updates?
   
9. Guestbook or forum: Guestbooks and forums are a great way to provide interaction on your website and engage your audience. Can your system support these if required?
10. Cost: Ideally free of licence fees.
11. Software: The more popular a software system is the more likely you are to get support from the author and the community of users. This is important if you need to add special features.