West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 30, 2008 -- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading web site awards competition WebAwards (WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2)), released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the arts industry learn to create more effective and engaging web sites.

"As the standard of excellence for web sites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective web site," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "The arts category is as diverse as the arts themselves. Here you will find museums and theatres along side of individual artists and performers. Art lovers tend to place a greater emphasis on the look and feel of a site than traditional online visitors. Art sites need to incorporate video and audio to engage visitors."

The WebAwards competition judges arts web sites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning web sites:

?    Design

?    Innovation

?    Content

?    Technology

?    Interactivity

?    Copywriting

?    Ease of use

Art sites have equaled or exceeded the overall ISAR Index every year since 1999.

According to the ISAR study, they have also equaled or exceeded the 5-year criteria average scores in every category except interactivity. They score strongest in design and content.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Arts Web site went to Freedom Comm Ltd. for Artware LimitedSchipul.

Other past winners include:

- 2006 Schipul for Houston Theater District Website

- 2005 Cool Blue Interactive for San Jose Repertory Theatre Web site - Redesign

- 2004 EYE and MIND Studio for EYE and MIND Studio Web site

- 2003 StoryPeople for storypeople.com

- 2002 Organic, Inc. for Chrysler Design Institute web site

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

Companies and organizations wishing to have their arts Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Web site'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 arts industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Arts 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).

# # #