Webometrics of Iranian State Universities Based on Technical Features Extracted from Webometric Tools

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Bachelor of computer science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Engineering, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

Abstract

Purpose: In the digital age, websites have become essential platforms for communication, information dissemination, and service provision for organizations and academic institutions. An effective web presence is no longer optional but a basic requirement for improving user interaction, increasing visibility, and supporting organizational performance. The technical quality and structural efficiency of websites play an important role in information presentation, credibility, and achievement of communication goals. This issue is especially significant for universities, as many educational, research, and administrative activities are conducted online. University websites serve as key tools for introducing scientific activities, attracting students, communicating with researchers, and providing academic services. Despite this importance, most evaluations of university websites have focused primarily on content-related indicators, while technical aspects have received limited attention. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to technically evaluate selected university websites affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with an emphasis on productivity and effectiveness from a technical perspective.

Method: This study adopted a descriptive–analytical approach using webometric evaluation methods. The sample consisted of eleven university websites that had previously appeared in national or international rankings, ensuring comparability. Seven webometric tools were used to assess technical performance based on indicators including homepage size, markup language, security level, page loading time, use of meta-description tags, implementation of website analytics tools, and support for multiple IP addresses. These indicators were selected due to their relationship with usability, accessibility, search engine visibility, and technical efficiency. Each website was systematically analyzed, scores were assigned to each indicator, and total technical scores were calculated. Based on these scores, the websites were ranked to identify strengths

and weaknesses.

Findings: The results indicate that most evaluated university websites show acceptable performance in several technical indicators, particularly security, homepage size, and loading time. These factors contribute positively to user experience and trust. However, weaknesses were observed in areas such as the limited use of analytics tools and insufficient use of meta-description tags, which may negatively affect search engine visibility. Differences were also found in markup language usage and support for multiple IP addresses. The final ranking showed that websites with stronger technical performance achieved higher overall positions, regardless of content volume or link indicators.

Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating technical indicators alongside content-based measures in university website evaluation. Technical features such as security, loading speed, analytics implementation, and metadata usage play a significant role in improving website productivity and visibility. Greater attention to these aspects can enhance website performance and strengthen universities’ digital presence.

Keywords

References

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