The first thing to note when it comes to deciding categories and judging criteria for an Awards show is that there will never be a full consensus on them, even if you had eternal life. So we’ll try and get as close to “almost happy” as possible.
The Web Awards are designed to be as fair as possible and to allow the 15 year old website builder to be able to compete as well as the design agency. It’s her talent we want to reward, not her ability to pay to enter and attend. The Web Awards are also designed to highlight online areas that other awards shows have not catered for.
With these things in mind, here is draft version 0.4 of the Irish Web Awards categories. Feedback appreciated but they become the “official” ones very soon. [for sponsorship information, email contact (at) awards.ie ]
News and Media
Best Online Publication
Best Podcast (Professional)
Best Podcast
Best Video (Professional)
Best Video
Entertainment
Best Sports Site
Best Music Site
Best Entertainment Website
Technology
Best Technology Site
Best New Web Application/Service
Most Innovative Website
Community and Government
Best Discussion Site/Online Community
Best Government Website
Best Council Website
Education and Science
Best School Website
Best Third Level Website
Best Youth Created Site
Commerce
Best eCommerce website
Best Financial Services Website
Speciality
Best As Gaeilge
Best Foreign Language
Technical Awards
Best Practice
Most Beautiful Website in Ireland
Most Useful Website in Ireland
Most Accessible Website in Ireland
Grand Prix
Best Website in Ireland
Great stuff. What makes something the “Best”?
Youth one is the most interesting to me on that list.
Most Accessible should be interesting.
No NGO category?
The list is very comprehensive, but I one major omission – for forums. Accordingly I would suggest an award for the best on-line community forum.
@Frank Best Discussion site covers that
Surprised you don’t have a category for Best Personal Website – or is it all about business?
Damien
The entertainment heading threw me off, and I suspect that others may have a similar problem. Many forums take the form of mutual support groups on health, social, environmental and business related topics that could never be considered as entertainment.
What about an Arts and Culture award?
I better get my guna deas out in anticipation of the best website in Ireland then. (aiming high!)
@Frank You’re right. I’ll need to clarify that.
@Paul Fair point. I might need to kill one category to fit it in though. Which don’t you like? 🙂
Hey. For the education ones, maybe break best school into Primary and Secondary? I cant see many Primary schools rivalling secondary and might help highlight the broadband plight of many a school with the amount of entries…
I like the rest..
what about style or fashion?
Any room in there for Adventure?
Where would an expedition site with educational, media, technology, elements fit in?