Trends for the Best in Marketing Website Detailed in New Report from the Web Marketing Association

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) April 5, 2008 -- WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2) - The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the marketing industry 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.

The WebAwards competition judges marketing websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:

* Design

* innovation

* content

* technology

* interactivity

* copywriting

* ease of use

The marketing category joined the WebAwards in 2002. They have outperformed the ISAR index in all years except 2006. Marketing Web sites matched the 5-year criteria benchmark average for innovation and design and narrowly missed the benchmark in technology, copywriting, and ease of use. As an industry, marketing sites are best at content, design, and ease of use.

The 2006 WebAward for Best Marketing Web site went to Hanson Dodge Lime for Product Launch.

Other past winners include:

* 2006 Rare Method for Silvertip Resort

* 2005 Nurun | Ant Farm Interactive Website

* 2004 Verite, Inc for Symantec Client Security 2.0 Channel Launch Kit

* 2003 Zugara for The Getaway

* 2002 Disc Marketing for the Disc Marketing Corporate Website

A complete list of past winners can be found at marketing.webaward.org

Companies and organizations wishing to have their marketing 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 (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

To request your copy of the 2008 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2) 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 will soon be 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 marketing industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Marketing Web site of 2008. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2008 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

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 (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

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