Best Advocacy Website Trends 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 advocacy 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. "Advocacy sites are the public service announcements on the Internet. Often developed on a shoestring budget or pro bono, the best sites don't just inform about an issue - they tell a story and allow people to take action."

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

* Design

* Innovation

* Content

* Technology

* Interactivity

* Copywriting

* Ease of use

Added to the WebAwards in 2002, advocacy sites have outperformed the overall ISAR index four out of the six years in which they competed..

According to the ISAR study, content and copywriting are advocacy website's strong points. They tend to have the lowest scores for innovation and use of technology, due in part to the conservatism of advocacy organizations.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Advocacy website went to Ignite Health for Banner Moments.

Other past winners include:

* 2006 Ignite Health Live with it

* 2005 Tribal DDB for Exhale

* 2004 Change for Register and Vote 2004

* 2003 International Fund for Animal Welfare for Protecting Animals and Their Environments Worldwide

* 2002 The Cato Institute for The Cato Institute's website

Companies and organizations wishing to have their advocacy 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 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 advocacy industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Advocacy 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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