WDH-027 Websites, Domains & Internet Infrastructure
Is a screenshot enough?¶
Usually not. A screenshot preserves what was visible on screen, but it does not preserve the whole web interaction or the technical context needed to interpret it.
A screenshot may capture wording, images, prices, account names and payment details. It may not show:
- the full URL;
- redirects;
- account or sign-in state;
- personalised or dynamic content;
- third-party elements;
- page source;
- response headers;
- file metadata; or
- interactive behaviour.
What to record as well¶
Preserve:
- the complete URL as text;
- date, time and time zone;
- device and browser;
- account state;
- steps taken to reach the page;
- any scrolling sequence; and
- additional technical material where proportionate and lawful.
Avoid editing, cropping or annotating the only copy. Preserve the original and create a separate presentation copy if needed.
A clean image may still leave important questions unanswered: was it live, cached, personalised, genuine, or altered by an advertisement or extension?
Key takeaway
Keep the screenshot, but also preserve the address, timing, context and capture process. Appearance alone is not a complete technical record.