West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 31, 2008 -- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards (Webaward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2)), released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the faith-based 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. "Faith based sites are where users turn for information about their or another's faith. In addition, it is also another example of how the Internet has built communities through online networks. Many faith-based sites are strong in social media, offering user generated content to their advantage."

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

?    Design

?    Innovation

?    Content

?    Technology

?    Interactivity

?    Copywriting

?    Ease of use

Faith-based Web sites are newcomers to the WebAwards joining in 2004. A stellar performance in 2004 was offset by poor performance in 2005. For the past two years, the industry has settled in with less drastic swings and has outperformed the index by a small margin. The 4-year criteria average scores are above average in ease of use, copywriting, and interactivity. They received the third highest interactivity score across all industries.

The 2007 WebAward for Faith-based website went to Bayshore Solutions for Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Other past winners include:

- 2006 Dallas Theological Seminary for the Dallas Theological Seminary Website

- 2005 Biola University for Talbot School of Theology website

- 2004 PhotoMission Inc. for A Worldwide Community of Christian Photographers

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