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

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 29, 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 radio 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. "With their strong 2006 performance, Radio Web sites have risen from the bottom of the pack, in overall average ISAR scores in the past, to the top half of all the industries tracked by the ISAR Index."

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

? Design

? Innovation

? Content

? Technology

? Interactivity

? Copywriting

? Ease of use

Despite the positive swing in 2006, radio Web sites returned to their negative trend in 2007. Radio sites have underperformed the overall ISAR index seven out of ten years. These sites underperformed the 5-year criteria benchmark scores in all areas. Within their industry, they are strongest at content, copywriting, and interactivity.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Radio Website went to Avenue A | Razorfish for XMRadio.com.

Other past winners include:

* 2006 BubbleUp Ltd. for Radio Margaritaville

* 2005 Bonneville Intl. Corp for Classical 102.1 KDFC

* 2004 live365 for Live365 Internet Radio

* 2003 WBCL Radio Network for WBCL Radio Network's website

* 2002 live365.com for Live365

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

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

###