The requiremets to become a certified DbSmartSite designer and be listed on the www.DbSmartSite.com web site, is quite simple. You must build a web site using our DbSmartPlay web site builder tool. There are no other tests to take. We want to verify that you can actually build a professional looking web site - not pass an academic test.

To prepare for your certificatin, we recommend you do the following:

1. Read the help and make sure you understand the key concepts of a DbSmartSite web site. Even if you are a practiced web site designer, you need to understand how to create a web site using our tool and the features that are available to you. Click here to read the help.
2. Sign-up for a DbSmartPlay web site to learn the tool. Use the wizards to build a site and learn how we use components and templates to build our pages. Learn how we use style sheets to create the look and feel of the site.

This web site will become your "advertisement" to our customers. Your listing on our Certified Designers page will link potential customers to this web site.

Your web site you must meet the following criteria:

1. The web site must be built from scratch. You may not use the New Site Wizard to build your web site. You are also not allowed to import any style sheet, template, component or page from the Add a Them File Wizard (except as specified below.)
2. The web site must consist of at least 3 components: a header, a footer and a sidebar.
3. The web site must consist of at least 1 template. Extra points for creating more than one template mixing and matching components.
4. All pages must be inherited from a template.
5. You must use at least 10 of the built-in item types to build your site (for example: Image, Image and Text, Rich Text, Calendar Control, Vertical Menu, Horizontal Menu, Tab Bar, Contact Form, Quick Links, Search Box, etc.
6. You cannot use the Html Insert item type except for inserting boiler plate text (i.e. legal and privacy content).
7. The site must be maintainable by anyone who understands how to use the tool without any knowledge of html, javascript, etc.
8. Your style sheet need not use all the built-in styles but should make use of them when appropriate. For example, a horizontal menu should use the built-in horizontal menu styles.
9. Background images and any graphics used to create the look and feel of the site must be implemented in the style sheet. See our ZigZag template for an example.
10. The site must contain the following pages: Home, About Us, Contact Us, Legal, Privacy and a Site Map.
    Note: You are allowed to import the privacy and legal page content from one of the themes. Change as appropriate.
11. All pages must include a page specific browser title, meta keywords and a meta description.
12. You are encouraged to add additional pages that demonstrate your design ability, graphic ability, writing skills and people skills. For example:
    
    1. Graphic Work
    2. Links to other sites built using DbSmartConfig
    3. References
    4. Links to other helpful web site
    5. Tips for better web sites
    6. etc.

When you are finished building your web site, complete the online application form. Someone will contact you with the results within 10 business days.