Internal clues can tell you much about a Web page. Check for the obvious things, such as good grammar and correct spelling. Note the depth of the material presented. Is the language simple or technical and demanding? Look for documentation of the facts being presented. Look for the date the page was last revised.
Graphics may help a Web page look more interesting, but do they serve any purpose other than decoration? Just as a magazine with many color advertisements may have a different purpose than a scholarly journal with no illustrations, a Web site with mirthful color and slickness may not be primarily a research site. However, even academic types can get carried away with cool icons.
Pay attention both to how well the links work and what kind of sources are being linked. In addition, check to see who has links to the page and what they have to say about it.
The WayBackMachine at the Internet Archive can show you how a web page has evolved and changed over the years. Sometimes by comparing the revisions you gain some clues about the nature of the site. The archive can also help you locate sites that have disappeared, if you know the original URL.
Questions to think about:
- Is the site well organized? Are there misspelled words or examples of poor grammar? Do the links work? Do they send you beyond the site to other reliable sources of information? Does the site offer anything unique or does it tell you little more than you could find in an encyclopedia? Are the graphics on the page clear and helpful or distracting and confusing? What opinions do others have about the Web page?