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



WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.aspgad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2) - The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, recently released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR), which includes specific benchmarking data to help the music industry create more award-winning websites.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, web visitors are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. "The best music websites have taken advantage of streaming technologies to provide a dynamic user experience that does not require the downloading of plug-ins or launching of external applications."

The WebAwards competition evaluates music websites on seven criteria that combined create effective websites:

-    Design

-    Innovation

-    Content

-    Technology

-    Interactivity

-    Copywriting

-    Ease of use

Historically, music Web sites have significantly outperformed the overall ISAR index since 1999. Music Web sites missed the mark in 2007 with a dramatic underperformance in the ISAR index. Despite the drop in scores, music sites still exceeded the 5-year criteria benchmark averages in design, innovation, content, and technology. They narrowly missed the benchmark in the ease of use criteria.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Music Web site went to BubbleUp Ltd.for Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.com.

A complete list of winners can be found at music.webaward.org with past winners including:

* 2006 Tellus for Metzler Violin

* 2005 Red Bull North America & Zugara for Red Bull Music Labs

* 2004 Mach18 for Sting: Public & Pay Member Site

* 2003 Live365 Inc. for Live 365

Companies and organizations wishing to have their music 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.aspgad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

To request a copy of the 2008 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.aspgad=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, , 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 music industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Music Web site of 2008. Participants will receive valuable feedback and the opportunity to earn peer recognition. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2008 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.aspgad=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.aspgad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).





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