Employment Web Sites Benchmarked in New Internet Study

HostReview.com
Wednesday, May 3, 2006; 03:23 AM

Boston, MA - According to the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) released by the Web Marketing Association, content, copywriting and ease of use scores are where employment sites are the strongest while the lowest scores are innovation and use of technology. Employment Web sites have also been below average for each of the judging criteria 3-year benchmarks. 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.

“Employment Web sites joined the WebAward program in 1999 and have split their time being above and below average compared to the overall ISAR Index,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “Employment sites tend to fall into the same trap as directories and search engines. The focus is on delivering more relevant information, such as job opportunities or salary comparisons, rather than on bells and whistles.”

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 Employment Web site winners.

2005 Au Pair & Nanny Agency
2004 Aegis Therapies
2003 Kelly Services
2002 Kelly Services

A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2006 honors can be found at http://www.webaward2006.org.

Companies wishing to have their employment 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 employment 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 WebAward 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 employement industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Employment 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.