As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website
West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 16, 2009
WebAward.org - The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the small business industry create more effective websites.
"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "The Internet has given small businesses the opportunity to sell globally and to do so, they need to have a site that meets and exceeds visitor expectations."
The WebAwards competition judges small business websites on seven criteria that combined help create award-winning websites:
- Design
- Innovation
- Content
- Technology
- Interactivity
- Copywriting
- Ease of use
Small business Web sites joined the WebAwards as a separate category in 2003 and have lagged the ISAR index in all years except 2003. They underperformed the 5-year criteria benchmark averages in all areas. As an industry, they are strongest in content, ease of use, and copywriting, but lag in innovation and technology.
The 2008 WebAward for Best Small Business Web site went to HKTDC for hktdc.com - The trusted online marketplace with third-party authentication.
Other past winners include:
- 2007 dLife for the dLife Website
- 2006 Business Week Online - Small Biz
- 2005 Mediapulse for Stuart Row Landscapes, Inc.
- 2004 Gerard Konars for Bride and Formal, Inc.
- 2003 Byte Interactive for its website - Byte Interactive
Companies and organizations wishing to have their small business 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 WebAward.org.
To request your copy of the 2009 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward.org
The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2009 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, B2B Magazine, BGT Partners, PRWeb, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, Microsoft PhizzPop, Internet World, AllBusiness, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion, and Website Magazine.
2009 WebAward Call for Entries
The Web Marketing Association will soon be accepting entries into its 13th 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 small business industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Small Business Web site of 2009. The deadline for entry is May 29, 2009 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward.org.
About the WebAwards
Now in its 13th 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 WebAward.org.
###
