Trends for the Best Toy & Hobby Websites Detailed in New Report from the Web Marketing Association

West Simsbury, CT (PRWeb) March 19, 2007 -- www.07webaward.org -- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the toy and hobby industry create more effective and engaging websites.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "Toy & Hobby websites do an excellent job of providing users with information about the latest gadget, toy or game."

The WebAwards competition judges toy and hobby websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:
•    Design
•    Innovation
•    Content
•    Technology
•    Interactivity
•    Copywriting
•    Ease of use

Toy & Hobby Websites scored the 4th highest in the overall average scores in the ISAR Index. Since 2000, Toy & Hobby websites have been above average compared to the ISAR Index except for a slight under performance in 2003.

The latest ISAR Index indicates that toy and hobby web sites have traditionally been strong in content, design and copywriting.

According to the ISAR Study, toy and hobby websites make it easy for toy buyers to access news and information relating to their particular interests.

The 2006 WebAward for Best Toy & Hobby Web site went to Tellus for MJ Trim.

Other past winners include:
- 2005 Endeca for A Toy Store for Toy Stores
- 2004 Chevron Texaco Products for Chevron Cars
- 2003 eleven inc. for Kodak LS420 Sitelet

A complete list of past winners can be found at http://toy.webaward.org

Companies and organizations wishing to have their toy and hobby 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 www.07webaward.org.

To request your copy of the 2007 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: http://www.webaward.org/isar_report.asp

2007 WebAward Call for Entries
The Web Marketing Association will soon be accepting entries into its 11th 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 toy and hobby industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Toy & Hobby Web site of 2007. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2007 and the WebAward Web site is located at www.07webaward.org.

The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2007 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organiztions: Burst Media, PRWeb, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, SimpleFeed, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, eComXpo, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, OTOlabs, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson and eMarketer.

About the WebAwards
Now in its 11th 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 www.07webaward.org.

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