How we evaluate every web experience
The Web Design Awards rubric ensures each submission is reviewed consistently by multidisciplinary judges. We combine qualitative insights with quantitative scoring so that craftsmanship, innovation, and accessibility are all rewarded.
- Average review time
- 72 hours
- Expert jury members
- 18
- Scoring categories
- 7
Human-first journeys
We look for purposeful UX strategy that makes complex tasks feel effortless for every visitor.
Crafted aesthetics
Visual language, typography, and motion should reinforce the brand and tell a cohesive story.
Reliable engineering
Performance, accessibility, and responsiveness are fundamental—not optional—requirements.
A multi-phase evaluation designed for fairness
Every entry is reviewed by experts who specialize in user experience, design, accessibility, and engineering. Each phase adds perspective while keeping bias in check.
Initial screening
Our team validates eligibility, confirms assets, and benchmarks the submission against previous winners.
Expert jury review
Specialized judges score each category individually, leaving qualitative notes to justify their decision.
Final calibration
Scores are normalized, ties are debated live, and projects with standout impact receive innovation bonuses.
Scoring scale and category weighting
Judges score every criterion on a 0–10 scale. Weighted averages determine finalists, while qualitative commentary helps teams iterate with confidence.
| Score range | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 9–10 | Exceptional | Benchmark-setting craft and measurable impact. Inspires the community and sets new standards. |
| 7–8 | Strong | Delivers polished, thoughtful execution with minor opportunities for refinement. |
| 5–6 | Competent | Solid fundamentals but lacks differentiation or has notable gaps in execution. |
| 3–4 | Developing | Concept shows promise though core usability or technical issues limit the overall experience. |
| 0–2 | Needs work | Major blockers prevent the project from reaching professional production quality. |
Category weighting
Scores are multiplied by the percentage below before being added to your final total.
- User Experience & Strategy
- 20%
- Visual Design & Branding
- 18%
- Content & Storytelling
- 12%
- Accessibility & Inclusivity
- 15%
- Performance & Technical Implementation
- 20%
- Responsiveness & Multi-device Support
- 10%
- Innovation & Future Readiness
- 5%
Detailed criteria judges score in every submission
Share context, prototypes, or research artifacts alongside your live experience. The more we understand the problem you solved, the more accurate your evaluation will be.
User Experience & Strategy
We reward experiences that guide visitors with intention—from first impression to conversion and beyond.
- Clear information architecture that anticipates user questions and behaviors.
- Thoughtful micro-interactions that reduce friction and celebrate key actions.
- Evidence of user research or data-backed rationale behind the journey design.
Visual Design & Branding
Striking visuals should feel both original and unmistakably on brand, balancing artistry with clarity.
- Consistent design system with purposeful typography, color, and imagery choices.
- Cohesive storytelling that uses layout and motion to reinforce brand values.
- Inventive art direction or craftsmanship that differentiates the experience.
Content & Storytelling
Words, multimedia, and messaging should communicate value quickly while rewarding deeper exploration.
- Succinct messaging hierarchy that resonates with target audiences.
- Editorial voice and tone that align with the product, service, or cause.
- Use of media (video, audio, data visualization) to enhance—not distract from—the narrative.
Accessibility & Inclusivity
Winning experiences remove barriers. We expect inclusive practices that serve diverse needs.
- WCAG-informed color contrast, focus states, and semantic markup across templates.
- Keyboard and assistive-technology support for all key journeys.
- Inclusive language and localization considerations where relevant.
Performance & Technical Implementation
Technical excellence should make the experience feel immediate, stable, and trustworthy.
- Optimized loading performance with sensible asset strategy and caching.
- Resilient engineering patterns that handle edge cases and error states gracefully.
- Progressive enhancement to maintain functionality across devices and bandwidths.
Responsiveness & Multi-device Support
Interfaces must adapt fluidly, honoring platform conventions without sacrificing brand expression.
- Mobile-first layouts that preserve clarity and hierarchy.
- Touch-friendly controls, gestures, and accessible hit areas.
- Thoughtful adaptation for large screens, tablets, and emerging device categories.
Innovation & Future Readiness
We highlight teams experimenting responsibly with new technologies, tools, or business models.
- Original concepts or interactions that advance the web as a medium.
- Ethical use of AI, automation, or personalization techniques.
- Roadmap signals—documentation, extensibility, or sustainability—that show long-term thinking.
Bonus recognition & point adjustments
Judges can award bonus points to spotlight work with extraordinary impact. Deductions ensure quality standards remain high across every submission.
Innovation spotlight (+2)
Projects that pioneer new techniques, frameworks, or business outcomes can earn additional recognition points.
Community impact (+1)
Initiatives that deliver measurable social, environmental, or community value receive a dedicated boost.
Quality assurance deduction (–2)
Critical bugs, broken states, or missing assets trigger point reductions until the submission is resubmitted.
What makes a submission stand out?
Provide the most accurate and updated information. When you go to submit, take a look through your site to make sure any noticable issues are fixed.
Share your storyFrequently asked questions
Have something else on your mind? Reach out and our team will help you prepare a winning submission.
Can I see my detailed scores?
Yes. Every submission receives a comprehensive report with category scores, judge commentary, and actionable suggestions for improvement within two weeks of the announcement.
Do in-progress products qualify?
Absolutely—as long as the experience can be publicly accessed, we welcome MVPs, beta launches, and iterative redesigns that demonstrate clear progress.
Ready to see how your project scores?
Submit today and receive your detailed judging report along with personalized recommendations.