BELOIT (WIFR) -- The Web Marketing Association recently announced the winners of its 16th annual WebAward Competition for website development. First National Bank and Trust is pleased to announce its website, www.bankatfirstnational.com, received an “Outstanding” award. More than 2,000 sites were judged in 96 industry categories and entries were rated based on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology.

A team of independent internet professionals, representing a variety of relevant disciplines of website development, judged the competition. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executives, content providers, and webmasters. The WebAward competition format allows websites to compete head to head with other sites within the same industry to win the Best of Industry award. Entries also compete against a standard of excellence, and those entries that score higher than their industry average receive Standard of Excellence WebAwards.

First National Bank’s website scored higher than the industry average, earning an “Outstanding” award. Recognizing that several outstanding sites may be entered in the same category and only one site can win Best of Industry, this award allows the Web Marketing Association to recognize work above and beyond the standard of excellence. One judge commented, “Best banking site I have seen - easy to use, nice to look at - WARM and friendly feel, easy to find content that does not overwhelm. Great site, congratulations.”

Britney McKay, Marketing Coordinator of First National Bank and Trust, who manages the development of the site added, “We are proud to have our site recognized, by professionals, as a leader in the industry. Bankatfirstnational.com is a channel that will allow us to provide sound advice and efficient service to our communities. We realize that the site is most often the portal to bank online, but our goal is to make it useful and educational for any visitor.”