Updated Web Marketing Association' Internet Standards Assessment Report Includes Historical Data Derived from a Decade of Hosting Internet Award Competition, WebAwards, and Provides Best Practices for Associations Web Design
West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- WebAward08.org- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the associations industry learn to create more effective and engaging websites.
"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "At most associations, Web sites serve as an important communication channel, but not the primary one. The best association websites maintain most of their valuable data in member only areas that meet the needs of their members."
The WebAwards competition judges Associations websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:
- Design
- Innovation
- Content
- Technology
- Interactivity
- Copywriting
- Ease of use
Association websites have underperformed the ISAR Index for the past four consecutive years.
Due to a programming error, the association industry was left out of the 2001-2003 WebAwards leaving a hole in the data for this industry. During this time, many associations participated in other industry categories.
According to the ISAR study, copywriting and content are Associations website's strong points. They tend to have the lowest scores for innovation and technology.
The 2007 WebAward for Best Associations Website went to Automated Graphic Systems for the American Bar Association Website.
Other past winners include:
- 2006 BrowserMedia for NCEF
- 2005 Xtential Corporation for AAF Advertising Hall of Fame
- 2004 Aesention, Inc. for WI Manufacturers & Commerce
- 2000 Cole & Weber for betterbricks.com
A complete list of past winners can be found at associations.webaward.org.
Companies and organizations wishing to have their Associations Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Website's credibility and marketing efforts, can learn more at Webaward08.org.
To request your copy of the 2008 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: Webaward08.org and click on the ISAR text link.
The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2008 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, PRWeb, AllBusiness, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, PhizzPop, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson, Snap Shots and Website Magazine.
2008 WebAward Call for Entries
The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 12th annual international WebAward Competition. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks that the Internet Standards Assessment report is based upon. The Associations industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Associations Web site of 2008. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2008 and the WebAward Web site is located at Webaward08.org.
About the WebAwards
Now in its 12th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit Webaward08.org.
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