Application Services Provider Web Sites Benchmarked in New Internet Study

BOSTON, MA (PRWEB) May 2, 2006 -- According to the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) released by the Web Marketing Association, ASPs joined the WebAwards in 2000 as an industry category and generally score very high in design, copywriting and ease of use. It scores lowest in use of technology and innovation of the Web site. The ISAR study provides industry benchmarks for Web site development and is based on data collected from 9,748 Web site evaluations in more than 80 industries over the past decade. A copy of the full report can be downloaded at http://www.webaward.org/isar_report.asp.

"An application service provider (ASP) is a business that provides computer-based services to customers over a network," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. "For the past three years, ASPs have been above average in all seven judging criteria and have the fourth highest scores for ease of use among all of the industries reviewed. ASPs are a product of the Internet age and their Web sites are not only their sales brochure, but often the gateway to the services they offer to their customers. "

Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association has been conducting its annual WebAward Competition for Web site development. The Internet Standards Assessment Report is the results of nearly a decade of independent evaluations of Web site development based on seven categories: design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copywriting and ease of use.

Here are some of the past WebAwards Best ASP Web site winners.

2005 MailChimp
2004 Leopard em Web site
2003 Exciting New Technologies
2002 i2.com

A complete list of past winners can be found at http://www.webawards2006.org

ASPs wishing to have their Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Web sites credibility and marketing efforts, can nominate their site at www.webawards2006.org.

"Of course, as in every industry, there are application services provider Web sites that stand out and others that don't make the grade," concluded Rice. "Our goal has always been to be more than just a popularity or beauty contest that rewards brand names and good design. Instead, this ISAR study is designed to return some value to every entrant with input as to what Internet professionals should strive for in their Web site development efforts in an objective, empirical and constructive way."

2006 Call for Entries

The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 10th 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 ASP industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Application Service Provider Web site of 2006. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2006 and the WebAward Web site is located at http://www.webawards2006.org.

About the WebAwards

The 10th annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 95 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 www.webawards2006.org.

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Press Contact: William Rice
Company Name: WEB MARKETING ASSOCIATION
Email: PR@webaward.org
Phone: 860-558-5423
Website: http://www.webawards2006.org