Best Brokerage Website Trends Detailed in New Report from the Web Marketing Association

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 30, 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 brokerage 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. "The best brokerage sites do much more than simply facilitate trading. They are research platforms that help users choose what to trade and when to trade it."

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

?    Design

?    Innovation

?    Content

?    Technology

?    Interactivity

?    Copywriting

?    Ease of use

Added to the WebAwards in 1999, Brokerage Web sites have performed sporadically compared to the ISAR index. With prior two years of drastic underperformance, 2007 showed great improvement for brokerage sites as they equaled the overall ISAR index. As a result of the poor criteria scores in 2006 and 2005, brokerage sites still scored below the 5-year criteria benchmark in all areas. Brokerage sites score strongest in content, copywriting, and interactivity, but are

weaker in innovation and technology.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Brokerage Website went to XPRESSTRADE, LLC. for the XPRESSTRADE Website.

Other past winners include:

- 2006 Ogilvy One for Spotting/Seizing Opportunity

- 2005 The Charles Schwab Corporation for A Defining Year

- 2004 Strong E-Commerce Team for Strong Financial

- 2003 Strong E-Commerce Team for strong.com

- 2002 Strong E-Commerce Team for Strong Financial Corporation

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

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