Trends for Best Medical Websites Detailed in New Report from Web Marketing Association

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 30, 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 medical industry 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. "Medical websites need to move beyond the text and diagram based environment and push toward a more interactive and engaging design to keep visitors on their sites."

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

?    Design

?    Innovation

?    Content

?    Technology

?    Interactivity

?    Copywriting

?    Ease of use

Medical Web sites have been inconsistent in terms of Web development. They have underperformed the ISAR index seven out of ten years competing although the 2007 underperformance was marginal. Medical Web sites outperformed the 5-year criteria benchmark average for copywriting, but fall below the average in all other areas. These sites are strongest in content, copywriting, and ease of use. They lag in innovation and technology.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Medical Web site went to Centers for Disease Control for CDC.gov.

Other past winners include:

- 2006 WebMD Health for WebMD

- 2005 Mojo Interactive for LocateADoc.com

- 2004 Roche Diagnostics for ACCU-CHEK Web Site

- 2003 ASCO for ASCO.org

- 2002 MayoClinic for MayoClinic.com

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

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