Best Public Interest Web sites of 2011 to be Named by Web Marketing Association in 15th Annual WebAward Competition

WEST SIMSBURY, Conn., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 15th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including advocacy, arts and non-profit websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for public interest websites to enter is May 27, 2011.

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"Advocacy and non-profit websites are very competitive when it comes to Web development and organizations can benefit from the independent evaluation of their online efforts," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association.  "Advocacy sites tend to be very good a pulling at the heart strings to sway visitors to their particular point of view. Strong writing and good use of images make many of these sites successful. Sites entered into the non-profit category also benefit from a reduced entry fee which is our way of recognizing the budget constraints at many of these organizations. "

There is also a reduced entry fee for sites entering the Non-profit industry category.

Web sites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward's professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the public interest categories will also receive:

• Handsome statue or certificate of achievement
• Increased visibility for their company
• Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
• Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
• Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers

Each year the Web Marketing Association names the Best Advocacy Website based on the scores submitted by the competition judges.

Recent winners of the Best Advocacy Web site include:

• 2010 – Forum One Communications for County Sin Rankings
• 2009 - Clarity Coverdale Fury for We All Pay the Price for Tobacco
• 2008 - Clarity Coverdale for Fury Are You Ok With That?
• 2007 - Ignite Health for Banner Moments
• 2006 - Ignite Health for 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
• 2002 - The Cato Institute for The Cato Institute

Recent winners of the Best Non-Profit Web site include:

• 2010 – I-SITE for Anacostia Watershed Society
• 2009 – Arnold Worldwide for Tough Love 2 Game - Cupid's Revenge
• 2008 - Reading Is Fundamental for Leading to Reading
• 2007 - Arnold Worldwide for Singing Cowpoke
• 2006 - Bridge Worldwide for VH1 Save The Music/P&G brandSAVER
• 2005 - IconNicholson for Project Rebirth Web Site
• 2004 - I.T. UNITED Corporation for WWF Children of the Earth
• 2003 - I-SITE and AWARE Foundation for Teen Health Talk
• 2002 - Interactive Knowledge for Corridos Sin Fronteras

There is one significant change in this year's WebAwards. The much coveted Top Agency WebAward is given to the organization who wins the most total WebAwards in a single competition. However each year many agencies win multiple awards and deserve additional recognition. This year, we will recognize each organization that wins 10 or more WebAwards with an Outstanding Interactive Developer trophy.

Participants can improve their chances on winning a WebAward by checking out the Web Marketing Association Facebook Page and becoming a fan of the page.  The Web Marketing Association will be providing hints and tips on how to improve your chances on winning a top award throughout April and May.

The 2011 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences,  Internet World UK, SES Conference, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine.

About the WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association's 15th annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industries by evaluating Web sites based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The WebAwards recognizes the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective Websites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Website assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.webaward.org.

SOURCE Web Marketing Association