Find the educational institution of interest on the Web. The best way to do this is by using a search engine like Google, Yahoo, Bing, Lycos or AOL to find the Web pages of the college or university that you are interested in. Then go to that Web site and check the address of the page to make sure you are at the opening page.
Visit the opening or welcome page to see how the information is arranged. Visitors should be able to view an uncluttered page, where all the options are clearly visible. Drop-down menus ought to be easily accessed and provide numerous additional choices.
Analyze the page by page navigation. This means that you should be able to go from the index or welcome page to the other parts of the website and then easily find your way back to the main page or other important parts of the Web site.
Evaluate the content. This is the most subjective portion of the process, where you read and examine the pertinent section to see if the information is helpful.
Check out the visual presentation. This is the least important of the evaluation process, but still a poorly designed Web site can be an eyesore and thus detract from the viewing experience. In general, Web sites should have soothing colors and easily readable fonts and text, along with a good overall arrangement of images and graphics. When page layout is done correctly, finding the desired information comes easier.