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

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) April 2, 2008 -- WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=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.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

To request a copy of the 2008 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=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, PRWeb, 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.asp?gad=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.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

###

Related Articles:

Building Your Digital Music Collection
The previous two Tech Tips took a look at eight basic features of portable MP3 players worth considering before laying down some serious money on one of these devices. Once you have a nice new MP3 player with plenty of space for music, you need to fill it up! There are several ways to go about building your digital music collection, and we'll take a look at a few ways to do so.

Enhanced Healing Through Music
Music has always been a very important part of our lives, from childhood to our being an adult. As a part of our experience, music can have both a physiological and psychological affect upon us as human beings.

The Peer to Peer Music Battle Heats Up; MP3 Rocket is on the Launch Pad and it's Loaded with Nuclear Missiles
MP3 Rocket is proud to announce a major software release, version 5.0.3, of its music downloading software. MP3Rocket.com is now poised to battle LimeWire for file sharing dominance over the next two years. MP3Rocket's developers feel that the new features, contained in the 5.0.3 release, will give them the competitive edge in the escalating P2P War.

Critically Acclaimed Music Producer, VereenCorp, Premieres His Debut Compilation Album in Washington, D.C.
Indie soul music artists and music enthusiasts join this talented producer for his exclusive album listening party.

Car Audio: Music On The Move
Picture this: a sunny day. You are at the wheel of your favorite car. The road stretches out enticingly before you. You have time and freedom to drive wherever you want. There is no particular time that you need to be home. The window is open, sending in the cool air as the car pushes forward. Could this be more perfect? Is there anything missing? In a word, yes. And that thing is music!

Axuality Music is Designed to Help Stimulate the Mind
Improvised guitar music on Brian Butler's newly-released 'Axuality' album is aimed at the head as well as the heart.

Mobile Music Adoption Passes Tipping Point with Revenues Set to Reach $17.5bn by 2012, Whilst Ringtones Revenues Begin Rapid Decline, according to Jun
The total value of the global mobile music market is expected to rise to more than $17.5bn by 2012, driven by rental music services and full-track downloads, according to a new report by Juniper Research.

MyGrito.com Launches New Music Player
MyGrito.com launches new portable social networking music player.

Digital Music Recording
The use of technology in music industry has improved the quality of recording by leaps and bounds. Today, digital music recording is not a new concept to any musician. But, apart from the musicians, not many people understand the concept. To know more about digital recording, read on.

Mario Magro Kiss For A Cause Foundation to Hold Online Celebrity Auction With The Biggest Names in Country Music
Mario Magro Kiss For A Cause Foundation will hold an online auction of exclusive handbags kissed and signed by the biggest country music celebrities at the recent 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The auction will run from June 15 - 25, 2007.

Charlotte?s Independent Producer?s Alliance (IPA) Studios to Record Music of African Children?s Choir
Choir Made Famous by ?American Idol? Arrives in Charlotte

Jeff Golub Grand Central Smooth Jazz Music CD Review
I can describe the latest release from Smooth Jazz sensation Jeff Golub for you with just one word? Outstanding!

The Music Industry and Its Lack of Talent
So it has come to this..

Parrot Capitalizes on Digital Music Craze with New Streaming Audio Car Kits, Compact Speaker Systems
Parrot leads the industry in audio streaming products, having introduced six all-new cars kits and stereo speakers in the last 12 months. In March 2007, the company launched the Parrot Boombox, a powerful, portable single-unit stereo speaker. Next, Parrot launched the second-generation of streaming audio-enabled car kit -- the Parrot MK6100. And finally, Parrot just introduced two more new streaming audio products -- the Parrot PARTY, a personal-size portable stereo speaker small enough to fit in a backpack or purse, but powerful enough to fill a room with music.

Indie Music
Indie music is a type of alternative rock which exists in the independent music world. The word is periodically used to refer to all underground music, and is the opposite of indie pop music. Indie rock music places an emphasis on electric instruments such guitars and drums. Musicians in the genre are also known for using abstract sounds. The term indie rock is used because musicians work under smaller record labels instead of the major record companies.