Award-Winning Websites That Inspire Us

Allison Howen — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:20:00 GMT

There are millions of websites on the ’Net, so how do you get yours to stand out from the competition?

While the answer to this question depends a great deal on the type of site you run, implementing a combination of design best practices and popular trends will typically put your site on the right track. That said, sometimes we need a little inspiration.

One way to get inspired is to research the sites of some of your business’s biggest competitors, as this will provide you with some elements, features and functionality to consider incorporating on your site. However, another way to get inspired is to take a gander at some award-winning sites.

For example, Website Magazine’s redesigned website was recently honored with a 2013 “Best Magazine Website” IAC (Internet Advertising Competition) Award, yet it was far from the only site to be recognized by the IAC. Get inspired by looking at the examples below to learn about other companies who won a Best Website award from the IAC in 2013:

Site: Cincinnatiusa.org

Award: Best Government Website

Takeaways: This website’s navigation rocks. Not only does it have an easy to navigate drop down menu bar, but it also features parallax scrolling, which is currently a hot and unique design trend.

Site: Theupsstorelocal.com/3358/

Award: Best Small Business Website

Takeaways: It is nearly impossible to overlook the location or contact information for this business, because The UPS Store prominently highlights all of its important information on its landing page, including directions, phone and fax numbers, email address, hours of operation and UPS Air pickup times.

Site: Noonedeservestodie.org

Award: Best Advocacy Website

Takeaways: The use of images and text on this site may be jarring, however, this strategy gets to the point and demands attention. Moreover, the Lung Cancer Alliance’s site offers social login to its visitors, as well as features parallax scrolling.

Site: Assetmanagement.fidelitycareers.com

Award: Best Employment Website

Takeaways: Fidelity puts an emphasis on unique images on its career site. Not only does the main image on this site include interactive tags, but its large drop down menu also includes a variety of images that makes the company more relatable and desirable to work for.

Site: Coorslight.com/projectcold

Award: Best Beverage Websites

Takeaways: As an alcoholic beverage company, it is very important for Coors Light to have a secure website in order to keep minors out, which is why the company implements an age-based security block upon arrival. That said, the company also features a big background image that includes movement, as well as a simple menu for visitors to navigate the site with.

Site: Adventuresbydisney.com

Award: Best Travel Website

Takeaways: Disney uses a combination of high-resolution images and interactive maps to grab its visitors’ attention. Additionally, the company makes it simple for visitors to let their friends know about their dream vacation by featuring a share menu directly on its rotating images of travel destinations.

Site: Jeep.com/en/

Award: Best Automobile Websites

Takeaways: Not only does the large, high-quality image on the Jeep website demand attention, but the image is also interactive, which allows visitors to gain insights about each vehicle by simply moving their curser around the image. Furthermore, this site features very clean and easy to read menus on the top and bottom of its landing page, which includes a local feature to help visitors find nearby promotions.

Site: Garrettpopcorn.com

Award: Best Retail Website

Takeaways: Garrett’s site is simple but fun, as it features an interactive photo, prominent call-to-actions and most of the business’s other important information above the fold. In fact, without scrolling, site visitors can click on a variety of icons to take actions such as create their own tin, register to the site, browse gifts, find a nearby shop, join the company’s mailing list, read Garrett’s blog and leave a message to the company.

Site: Sixflagsjobs.com

Award: Best Employment Websites

Takeaways: The Six Flags’ employment website is colorful with a bright menu bar. That said, the real star of this site is its use of videos, which are prominently featured for each of the career categories.

Site: Chefboyardee.com/cooking-with-kids

Award: Best Consumer Goods Website

Takeaways: This site not only features delicious recipes, but also high-quality images and large call-to-actions. Moreover, the site uses parallax scrolling, which enables visitors to learn recipes step-by-step as they scroll. It is also important to note that as visitors scroll through the site, they are exposed to additional interactive content, including videos, social sharing features, as well as recipe ratings and reviews.

IAC Awards Recognize Excellence in Online Advertising

Pete Prestipino — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:06:00 GMT

Why not pursue some recognition for all that hard work you’ve put in on your advertising campaigns? You know you deserve it!

The Web Marketing Association has announced its initial call for entries to the 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition Awards – the first (and really only) industry-based advertising award competition for online advertisers.

This program evaluates all forms of online advertising, including email, display ads, online newsletters, mobile apps, Websites, video and social media in a comprehensive 86 industry categories. The deadline for entry to the IAC awards is fast approaching (January 31, 2013) so get your nominations in now.

“Now, more than ever, it is critical for online marketers to be able to justify advertising expertise come budget time,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “The IAC Awards can provide third party confirmation that clients are getting the best creative for their ad dollars. Winning awards is a great way to demonstrate your creative potential. We created the IAC Awards to highlight the best in this unique advertising medium by industry, and also to help advertising professionals validate their efforts to clients and senior management.”

Enter the Internet Advertising Competition Awards

Mike Phillips — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:12:00 GMT

One deadline has passed but there is still time to enter the Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The Web Marketing Association, who hosts the competition, says they have received a record number of entries this year but the window is closing fast. All entires must be received by Friday, February 11.

Enter in several categories that includes best banner ads, email ads, rich media, online newsletters, online video, mobile and online apps, websites and social media across 86 industry categories. The winner of the most awards will be named Top Agency of 2011 - quite an achievement adn excellent marketing fodder.

Learn more and enter the competition by visiting http://www.webaward.org/iac.

'Net Features : iac awards

Award-Winning Websites That Inspire Us

IAC Awards Recognize Excellence in Online Advertising

Enter the Internet Advertising Competition Awards