At the Bestweb.LK 2023 Feedback Session, Bestweb.LK judges gave some important tips on how a website can be improved and how they can be taken to the next level. Below are those points highlighted and the significance of using TopWeb.LK Awards Scheme as a stepping stone to this journey of enhancing the standards of your website.

LK Domain Registry organized the TopWeb.LK awards scheme monthly to evaluate your website and check if it meets the minimum web standards. It also helps to build trust in your website visitors and compete confidently in Sri Lanka’s only web design competition, BestWeb.LK

TopWeb.LK applicants are evaluated based on content, design, technical expertise, performance, security, and bonus points earned through multilingual, accessibility, and social network integration.

Also, a standard security scan will be conducted, and if there are any concerns you will be informed to rectify and resubmit within a given time period.

Click here to see full evaluation criteria

At the recent BestWeb.LK Feedback Session, the judges identified the following reasons why most websites are disqualified from the competition, these reasons are also applicable to the TopWeb.LK award scheme:

• Security vulnerabilities
  • Choose a secure web hosting provider with robust security features to safeguard your website data.
  • Ensure to install trusted plugins and themes, keep them updated, and disable unnecessary ones to enhance website performance and security.
  • To re-submitting the application during the security evaluation period, it is crucial to rectify all security vulnerabilities identified in the initial scan.
• Incomplete or not operational websites
  • Ensure your organization’s website covers all major activities, links and menu items should go to working pages, and if a page isn’t available, remove it.
  • Ensure the website is available during the award period and after, as failure to check it will result in the site not receiving an award.
• Site redirection
  • Avoid redirecting your site to other websites as the evaluation will be based on the entered domain, and pages directing to other sites may receive lower marks.

Website owners can increase their score on the evaluation by focusing on the following areas:

• Website’s purpose, business direction, and the quality of its front-end structure and color schemes.
• Language and quality control of the website.
• If the website developed by a third-party, thoroughly review it before launching.
• Should deliver the purpose to the target audience.
• Limit the use of excessive white space, unless it is specifically intended for a specific purpose.

Additional notes:

• Should have up-to-date contents (news, privacy policy, cookie policy, copyright information).
• Include search function.
• Should use Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
• Should be mobile optimized to provide a seamless and engaging user experience for visitors.
• Should have clearly visible contact information.

Best practices include:

• Regularly updating the web server software, and any applications or plugins.
• Quickly applying security patches to web server software and OS to address vulnerabilities.
• Using secure cryptographic functions for integrity and encryption.
• Implementing a WAF/IDS/IPS to identify and respond to potential attacks in real-time.
• Conducting periodic security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.
• Performing regular backups.