2007 Web Awards Submission Form

Rules and Information

Welcome to the SXSW Web Awards, the competition that uncovers the best new internet sites. Please read all of the following information very carefully so your entry can be processed correctly.

ONLY WEBSITES LAUNCHED IN THE CALENDAR YEAR 2006 ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER (EXCEPT FOR "CLASSIC" CATEGORY). This year's competition is open to all sites launched in the calendar year 2006. The only exception is the "Classic" category, which consists of sites launched before January 1, 2006.

NEW WEBSITES CAN BE ENTERED IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES. However, a separate application fee is applied for each new category in which the site is entered. If you are entering multiple sites in the competition, you are required to fill out a new online application form for each site.

CHECK OUT THE LIST OF CATEGORIES IN THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION AND EXPLORE THE CATEGORY DEFINITIONS TO DETERMINE YOUR WEBSITE'S CATEGORY. Click here for the complete list. If we feel your website has been entered in the wrong category, we will try to contact you and suggest that the website be switched to the more appropriate category.

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE EVALUATED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

Visual Design: The appearance of the site. The eye-candy. Is it graphically intriguing?

Functionality: The usability and navigation of the site. Is it easy to use?

Interactivity: The amount of input the user has in the experience. How does the interface work with the user?

Content: The information. The goods. Is the subject matter fascinating?

Creativity: The unique and innovative approach. Does the site have something no one has seen before?

The SXSW Web Awards are judged in two separate rounds. After all entries are received, the first round of judging selects a group of five finalists in each of the categories. The second round of judging picks the top site from each of these groups of finalists.

Entries are given a score of between 1 and 10 in each of the above criteria and the finalist sites are those that achieve the highest cumulative score.

As the panel of judges are comprised of individuals from around the country and across the world, all judging is accomplished via a special, online interface. Judges decisions are final.

IF ANY SPECIAL PASSWORD IS NEEDED TO ACCESS YOUR SITE, THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE SENT SEPARATELY. The specific information will need to be sent to Shawn@sxsw.com.

Deadlines and Entry Fees

FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE:
Friday, December 15
Application fee until December 15 - $25

Payment of entry fees are accepted online by credit card via the online application. Contact Shawn@sxsw.com concerning entry fee payments by check.

ENTRIES AFTER DECEMBER 15, 2006 ARE ACCEPTED, BUT HAVE NO GUARANTEE OF BEING VIEWED FOR JUDGING. Finalists in each category will be notified in late January.

All sites submitted to the SXSW Interactive Festival Web Awards are assumed to be completely operational at the time of submission. We will try to contact you if your site is not working at the time of judging -- but this will significantly reduce your chances of success in the competition.

By entering the website competition, you are given the option to register for SXSW Interactive at the lowest rate until February! Finalists in the competition are given a complimentary registration to SXSW Interactive. We will send you complete details on your discount registration options after your application is processed.

Please contact Shawn@sxsw.com with any questions or concerns.

Please note that the deadline for entries has passed! We are no longer accepting late entries.