Best Computer Software Web Site Trends Detailed in New Report from the Web Marketing Association

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 26, 2009-- WebAward.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?utm_source=PRWeb&utm_medium=release&utm_term=ComputerSoftware&utm_content=ISAR&utm_campaign=WebAward) The Web Marketing Association, host of leading web site awards competition WebAwards, released the 2009 Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the computer software industry learn to create more effective and engaging web sites.

"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," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "With so much computer software selected and delivered online, many small software companies can reach a critical ROI with an effective Website. Unfortunately, being a good software engineer does not always result in being a good Web site designer."

The WebAwards competition judges computer software web sites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning web sites:

•    Design

•    Innovation

•    Content

•    Technology

•    Interactivity

•    Copywriting

•    Ease of use

Computer Software Web sites, although in line with the ISAR index for the past three years, has shown erratic performance over the last decade. The most notable performance years are the strong performance in 2004 and dismal performance in

2001 relative to the overall ISAR index. Computer Software Web sites have scored slightly below the 5-year criteria benchmark averages in all areas except design where they slightly out performed. As an industry, they are strongest in content, copywriting, and ease of use. Surprisingly, they score low in technology and innovation.

The 2008 WebAward for Best Computer Software Web site went to FINE Design Group for Norton Today.

Other past winners include:

- 2007 BLITZ for Adobe

- 2006 Worktank for See Windows Vista web site

- 2005 Avid Technology for Avid Technology Corporate web site

- 2004 Wind River for Wind River web Site

- 2003 Novell, Inc. for Novell Worldwide web site

- 2002 Leopard for Terraspring web site

A complete list of past computer software winners can be found online.

Companies and organizations wishing to have their computer software web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Web site's credibility and marketing efforts, can learn more at WebAward.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?utm_source=PRWeb&utm_medium=release&utm_term=ComputerSoftware&utm_content=ISAR&utm_campaign=WebAward).

To request your copy of the 2009 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward.org (http://www.webaward.org/isar_report.asp)

The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2009 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, B2B Magazine, BGT Partners, PRWeb, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, Microsoft PhizzPop, Internet World, AllBusiness, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion, and Website Magazine.

2009 WebAward Call for Entries

The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 13th 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 computer software industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Computer Software Web site of 2009. The deadline for entry is May 29, 2009 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?utm_source=PRWeb&utm_medium=release&utm_term=ComputerSoftware&utm_content=ISAR&utm_campaign=WebAward).

About the WebAwards

Now in its 13th 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 WebAward.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?utm_source=PRWeb&utm_medium=release&utm_term=ComputerSoftware&utm_content=ISAR&utm_campaign=WebAward).

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