West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 26, 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 healthcare 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. "Companies that invest in their healthcare Web presence really stand out from the rest of the field. Healthcare Websites can perform a critical role of being a trusted source of medical information. The best healthcare Websites make the complex world of health insurance understandable for the simplest consumer."

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

?    Design

?    Innovation

?    Content

?    Technology

?    Interactivity

?    Copywriting

?    Ease of use

Healthcare is one of the most competitive industries within the WebAwards. Since 2000, the healthcare averages have mirrored, but slightly lagged, the overall ISAR index. According to the study, healthcare Web sites are typically strong in content, copywriting, and ease of use. They tend to lag in innovation and technology.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Healthcare website went to Rosetta for LIVE Outside the Bottle.

Other past winners include:

- 2006 Critical Mass for Kaiser Permanente Interactive Health Plan Advisor

- 2005 DLC Solutions & Siteworx for Cochlear Website

- 2004 Roche Diagnostics for Diabetes Assistant

- 2003 Columbus Children's Hospital for Columbus Children's Hospital website

- 2002 Phoenix Children's Hospital for Phoenix Children's Hospital website

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

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