The Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) was made public by The Web Marketing Association. It's purpose is to help the interactive services industry learn to create more effective and engaging web sites.

William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc., stated: "As the standard of excellence for web sites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective web site. The best interactive services Web sites are showcases for what the Internet can offer users. They combine graphics, text, video and interactive applications to create a user experience for the target audience."

The WebAwards competition tests interactive services web sites on seven criteria:

* Innovation
* Design
* Content
* Technology
* Copywriting
* Ease of use
* Interactivity

Interactive Services Web sites have seen that gap narrow to slight out-performance. According to the ISAR study, content and design are interactive services web sites' strong points and they have beaten the 3-year criteria average for the design, innovation, interactivity and use of technology criteria. They equaled the 3-year criteria average in terms of ease of use. The 2006 WebAward for Best Interactive Services web site went to nurun I ant farm interactive for It's a Wonderful Internet.

Among the past winners we can find:

* 2005 AgencyNet Interactive for www.agencynet.com
* 2004 Quicksilver Associates for Seabourn Cruise Line
* 2004 Arc Worldwide for Behr Paint (This site also won Best of Show)
* 2003 Behr Interactive Marketing Team for Behr Paint

Entries into its 11th annual international WebAward Competition are now accepted by The Web Marketing Association. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks that the Internet Standards Assessment report is based upon. The interactive services industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Interactive Services Web site of 2007. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2007.

This is the 11th year in which 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 purpose of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to offer a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for creating 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 www.07webaward.org.