FAQ

The following section details some frequently asked questions by clicking on the questions below. If you can't find what you are looking for please feel free to email me.

Q01. How will I know if I have won?
Q02. Why do you use a code instead of my name?
Q03. When can I apply for an upgrade?
Q04. Why do I have to wait thirty days?
Q05. How long does the evaluation take?
Q06. What experience do the judges have?
Q07. Will you send feedback if I don't win?
Q08. I won a gold from another Award Program, why not from you?
Q09. Why do you have a panel of judges?
Q10. Can I dispute an award?
Q11. Can I refuse the award?
Q12. How do I know which Award Programs are credible?
Q13. What are Award Ratings?
Q14. How difficult is it to win your award?
Q15. Why should I have an awards won page?
Q16. What do you consider as six (6) pages of content?
Q17. What is a horizontal scroll bar?
Q18. Can I move my award if you receive a higher Award Rating?

Q01. How will I know if I have won?
A01. You will be notified by email within two months. Your award, laudation and evaluation will be attached.
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Q02. Why do you use a code instead of my name?
A02. A code is used in place of your name to ensure the privacy of your application.
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Q03. When can I apply for an upgrade?
A03. You are welcome to re-apply for an upgrade after thirty (30) days have passed.
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Q04. Why do I have to wait thirty days?
A04. We feel that thirty (30) days gives you time to make any changes and improvements suggested in our tips and suggestions that were sent to you.
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Q05. How long does the evaluation take?
A05. The process usually takes between thirty - sixty (30 - 60) days and will be visited at least three times by each of our judges.
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Q06. What experience do the judges have?
A06. Our judges have specific knowledge in various areas of design, from coding to colours, layout to typography. We wish to contribute to bettering the net by offering our skills to all applicants.
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Q07. Will you send feedback if I don't win?
A07. Yes, every applicant will receive a detailed evaluation of our findings. This includes tips and advice and also any errors found. We hope that the Firestarter Award Program is a respected resource.
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Q08. I won a gold from another Award Program, why not from you?
A08. Not all Award programs are the same, each has its own criteria. Also, different judges may award according to their personal opinions and requirements.
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Q09. Why do you have a panel of judges?
A09. The Firestarter Award Program aims to give a fair appraisal of your site. A panel of judges was created as each evaluator will have their own personal taste and will also find different things within your site.
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Q10. Can I dispute an award?
A10. You can refuse the award, but you cannot dispute - all decisions are final. We provide you with our findings, how we came you the decision and also give tips on improvement. You may also re-apply in thirty (30) days if changes have been made.
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Q11. Can I refuse the award?
A11. Refusal of an award will ban your site from future submissions.
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Q12. How do I know which Award Programs are credible?
A12. There are many Award Programs on the web, some credible some not. 'Give-Away' Awards may result in spam emails, they may also award sites that are tasteless or contain adult content. They don't take the time to evaluate your site and may simply give you an award by allowing you to right-click your mouse.
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Q13. What are Award Ratings?
A13. If you see an award rating on an Award Program e.g Award Sites, you can be sure that the program has undergone a strict review. The most prestigious Award Program's will display an 'Affiliations and Memberships' page, displaying their ratings and memberships to ethics organizations and listings.
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Q14. How difficult is it to win your award?
A14. We do not give away our awards. All criteria and rules must be met. About 50% of applicants achieve an award, you can check the statisitics on the status page. We offer several awards, therefore there is a chance of winning, if the criteria has been met.
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Q15. Why should I have an awards won page?
A15. If you have submitted your site for evaluation why not proudly display them? Time has been given to evaluate your site, so we feel that it is only fair that you show them in an ordered and pleasant way.
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Q16. What do you consider as six (6) pages of content?
A16. A page of content should be informative, entertaining or educational. Not included are entrance pages, awards won, guestbooks, webrings, forums or links.
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Q17. What is a horizontal scroll bar?
A17. If we have to scroll from left to right to view your page, your site will be disqualified. This is a simple design fault which can be easily fixed.
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Q18. Can I move my award if you receive a higher Award Rating?
A18. No, if the Firestarter Award Program gets an upgraded rating, you must re-apply for a new evaluation of your website.
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