The 
Web Awards 2003
NetGuide magazine has kindly provided us with a breakdown of the award winners in the NetGuide Web Awards 2003. NetGuide involved the public in helping determine which sites are best meeting their needs with methodology developed with AC Neilsen. Just over 27,000 votes were cast this year. In summary, the winning sites are those with the best combination of the number of votes cast for the site, together with the quality rating given to the site by consumers. NetGuide also retained a panel of independent judges for the specialist areas. There are also several "Highly Commended" awards. These sites were a hair's breadth away from the winning sites (just so close!) in that respective category.
Best Government Website - Sponsored by: Stuff
- Winner: www.govt.nz
- Category description: As the use of the web widens, so does the information available from public bodies, which is good for all consumers. This award recognises the best government, local body or government agency website that informs users of the services, or that relates to that body.
- Public opinion: An excellent portal for all government bodies and authorities, loads of forms can be downloaded and a true one stop shop for everything government.
- Number of sites entered: 256
- Finalists: www.ird.govt.nz, www.aucklandcity.govt.nz, www.immigration.govt.nz, www.companies.govt.nz
Best Small Business Website - Sponsored by: 2day.com
- Winner: www.pricespy.co.nz
- Category description: Small businesses have perhaps the most to gain from a well run, structured and efficient website. NetGuide wanted to find the best website from a small business (under 20 employees) that successfully uses the web as an integral part of its daily business.
- Public opinion: A very useful site updated every few hours - the best place to find the best deals on a range of computer products - and a very valuable business tool.
- Number of sites entered: 923
- Finalists: www.petsonthenet.co.nz, www.nzweddingplanner.co.nz, www.homebizbuzz.co.nz, www.advintage.co.nz
Best e-tail Site - Sponsored by: XtraMSN
- Winner: www.realgroovy.co.nz
- Category description: This award recognises NZ companies using the web for retail sales. NetGuide was looking for online shopping, auctions or other trading sites that embody all the vital aspects of online trading - ease of use and navigation, security, service and support.
- Public opinion: A huge variety of products available from the site, prompt efficient service, free delivery and an excellent search database make this the site of choice.
- Number of sites entered: 341
- Finalists: www.trademe.co.nz, www.dse.co.nz, www.gpstore.co.nz, www.woolworths.co.nz
Best Finance Site - Sponsored by: Microsoft
- Winner: www.asbbank.co.nz
- Category description: Simply the best site demonstrating the use of the web as a serious financial tool, whether for banking, research, planning or undertaking of financial transactions.
- Public opinion: Internet banking made easy! A well designed site with many features not offered by other banks - head and shoulders above the rest.
- Number of sites entered: 110
- Finalists: www.kiwibank.co.nz, www.nationalbank.co.nz, www.westpactrust.co.nz, www.sorted.org.nz
Best Entertainment Site - Sponsored by: QuickSilver
- Winner: www.biggie.co.nz
- Category description: An award for the site that best captures the feel of entertainment online. It may be music, film, radio or the like and is also likely to make clever use of colour, graphics, mp3 and other web tools to enhance the entertainment experience.
- Public opinion: A great community of users on the site, up to date information and excellent reviews of events that capture the dance scene in NZ - provides hours of browsing.
- Number of sites entered: 315
- Finalists: www.zmonline.co.nz, www.nzmusic.com, www.theedge.co.nz, www.village.co.nz, www.gameplanet.co.nz
Best News Service - Sponsored by: Red Sheriff
- Winner: www.stuff.co.nz
- Public opinion: All the latest news from any locality in NZ - easy to use, colourful and great coverage.
- Highly commended: www.scoop.co.nz
- Public opinion: No one tells it like Scoop does - truthful, political, comprehensive and delivered by email.
- Category escription: The shape of news media has changed, and is changing still with the advent of the Net. This award recognises news sites that utilise the immediacy and technology of the web to cover the latest breaking news stories, whilst also being easy to follow at a glance.
- Number of sites entered: 77
- Finalists: www.ruralnews.co.nz, nzoom.com, www.newstalkzb.co.nz, www.nzherald.co.nz, www.xtramsn.co.nz
Best Employment Site - Sponsored by: Orcon
- Winner: www.seek.co.nz
- Category description: The web has meant new ways of finding jobs for many. This award is for the best and most effective career or job site in NZ. NetGuide was looking for job hunting resources and tools as well as comprehensive listings of vacancies, etc. It may be a general employment site or one specific to an industry or job type.
- Public opinion: A brilliant variety of jobs, something for everyone, helpful, informative and relevant jobs sent to your email.
- Number of sites entered: 119
- Finalists: www.nzjobs.co.nz, www.netcheck.co.nz, www.jobstuff.co.nz, www.sjs.co.nz
Best Youth Site - Sponsored by: ValueNet
- Winner: www.gameplanet.co.nz
- Public opinion: Simply the best place to meet and talk with fellow gamers all over NZ combined with all the information you would ever need about games.
- Highly commended: www.flatmatesnz.com
- Public opinion: The best site ever for finding accommodation - beats the others hands down with stunning service and reliability.
- Category description: NetGuide wanted to find the site that best caters for the lively youth audience. It could be focused on pretty much anything from youth entertainment or advice, to travel, sport, etc. And the chances are the site will use the best tools the web has to offer to give it that X factor required by discerning youth.
- Number of sites entered: 208
- Finalists: www.nzgirl.co.nz
Best Community Site (Non-Profit) - Sponsored by: nzoom.com
- Winner: www.spca.org.nz
- Category description: The best sites from associations, clubs and charities using the web to spread their message. NetGuide was looking for regularly updated sites that offer something special to their target audience.
- Public opinion: Provides an excellent resource for members and animal lovers whilst inspiring and providing opportunities for those who wish to participate.
- Number of sites entered: 530
- Finalists: www.barnardos.org.nz, www.worldvision.co.nz, www.greenpeace.org.nz
Best Sports and Recreation Site - Sponsored by: James & Wells
- Winner: www.nzxsports.com
- Category description: NetGuide was looking for the site that brings a wealth of information to the sporting enthusiast while also catering for regular sporting news updates. The site may be focused on one sport, or more general in its approach.
- Public opinion: Makes great use of all those web cams throughout NZ - easily the best and most reliable information for outdoor enthusiasts and those who follow the snow and surf conditions.
- Number of sites entered: 245
- Finalists: onesport.nzoom.com, www.nzpwi.co.nz, www.allblacks.com
Best ISP (Internet Service Provider) - Sponsored by: ACE Training
- Winner: www.xtra.co.nz
- Highly commended: www.orcon.net.nz
- Category description: This award recognises the country's best ISP based on submissions by NetGuide readers. Readers were asked to rate their ISP on price, access, support and extras.
- Finalists: www.ihug.co.nz, www.paradise.net.nz, www.maxnet.co.nz
Best Travel and Tourism site - Sponsored by: Hitwise
- Winner: www.newzealand.com
- Category description: This category was judged by a panel of independent judges. This award recognises the best travel or tourism site as gauged by quality and quantity of travel or tourist information, ease of use, travel resources and overall consumer experience. Let's not forget that the most travel to NZ destinations is done by other NZers - so sites aimed at locals should feature as highly as those aimed at the broader offshore market.
- Judge's comments: The wonderful warm beauty of this site entices visitors in and convinces them how appealing NZ is to either visit or do business in.
- Number of sites entered: 186
- Finalists: www.holidayshoppe.co.nz, www.airnewzealand.co.nz, www.travel.co.nz, www.jasons.co.nz
Best New Website or Relaunch - sponsored by: Woolworths
- Winner: www.gg.govt.nz (the Governor-general's site)
- Judges comments: A very poised site, beautifully and comprehensively laid out, offers vast depth of content, consistent design and navigation throughout.
- Highly commended: www.pukeariki.com
- Judge's comments: Elegant presentation, evokes a sense of pride about this place, has been put together by people who care, and a hugely content rich site to boot.
- Category description: This category was judged by a panel of independent judges. This award recognises the most innovative or interesting new site launch of the past 12 months to 19 October. It must be a stand-alone new site, not an add-on to an existing site. Nominations are sought for NZ websites that have launched during this time and have made an impact on a significant number of Internet users in this country.
- Number of sites entered: 438
- Finalists: www.allblacks.com, www.listener.co.nz, www.foodtown.co.nz
Best Personal Blog - Sponsored by: WebFarm
- Winner: www.publicaddress.net
- Category description: This category was judged by a panel of independent judges. Blogging is where it is at on the web right now! And there have been some amazing examples given world attention in the past year. NetGuide looked for enthusiasts who have created their very own content-packed diary on the web. The subject matter may vary from personal thoughts to daily life experiences written in a way to enthral the reader and come back for more. Age or occupation is secondary; of primary importance is the interest factor created by the content. Who amongst you is keen to make an impression on the Net?
- Judge's comments: A good blog has a pleasing visual aesthetic. It provides useful and interesting information to the outsider, but it is infused with the personality of the blogger who creates it. It is a cathartic release for the writer, but it never degrades into self indulgent poetic drivel. It should be a part of the Internet, and not a black hole that stands alone. Many of the finalists achieve some of these goals, but I selected www.publicaddress.net because it provides a window into several blogs, each with personality and intelligence. There's something there for everyone.
- Number of blogs entered: 144
- Finalists: www.thejamjar.com, www.svoboda.co.nz
Best Web Designer - Sponsored by: Yellow Pages
- Winner: www.interaction.co.nz
- Category description: This category was judged by a panel of independent judges. This award is for professional Web designers who are leading the charge in distinctive NZ Web design. The judges were after a portfolio of sites that look good, are easy to navigate, are visually stimulating and keep visitors interested.
- Judge's comments: This was a difficult category to judge with most portfolios demonstrating a consistent standard of design, navigation and presentation. We rated functionality most highly as this is what keeps users coming back. The winning portfolio came from Interaction. In particular, the ASB Bank suite of sites is without peer in ease of use and functionality. Other examples of excellent functional design include Holiday Shoppe and Honda.
- Finalists: www.terabyte.co.nz, www.shift.co.nz
Site of the Year - Sponsored by: NetGuide
- Winner: www.allblacks.com
- Category description: This category was judged by a panel of independent judges. The winning overall site of the year must be local, it must have great design, excellent content original ideas and a real Kiwi flavour.
- Judge's comments: This is an exciting site, which captures the spirit of rugby in NZ. It is well laid out and with the best ingredients of today's sites - including regularly updated news, audio interviews and videos together with material fans can download.
Thanks to NetGuide magazine. If you'd like to know more about this publication please go to www.netguide.co.nz |
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