So, why does the Internet need another award program?

Good question.  After all, there are hundreds of awards out there for web sites -- some of them very distinguished, some of them respectable, some of them with only minimal criteria, and some that are just giveaways -- not really "awards" at all.

You've probably found, as I have, that a lot of "award-winning" sites on the Internet leave a lot to be desired.  Every day, I see sites that were built only to get someone's money or to inflate someone's ego.  Many sites were built with good intentions, but are plagued with misspelled words, terrible grammar, and numerous technical problems that irritate the viewer, interfere with communication and destroy the credibility of the site.  Still other sites were built to spread illegal or illicit materials, or to use the Web as a bully pulpit to spread hatred.  What a waste of the Internet's enormous potential!

There is clearly a need to encourage the building of Internet sites for more noble purposes.  I wanted to recognize those few webmasters who have worked hard to build a quality web site with the primary purpose of effectively providing positive information and valuable resources to the Internet community -- not to collect money, but to make a positive contribution to the Internet and to humanity, asking nothing in return.  Not everyone can be a talented computer programmer or graphic artist, and not everyone has access to the resources of a business or government agency, but I strongly believe that anyone who is willing to put in the effort can build a solid web site with quality, positive content.  Additionally, I wish to encourage those who are just learning to build web sites to strive for excellence.  One person, you see, can make a difference.  I believe that with all my heart.  Thus, the creation of the Internet Beacon Awards. 

Are the Internet Beacon Awards prestigious?  Are they difficult to win?  That's for someone else to decide.  But I can tell you this: A quality site with excellent positive content and resources of interest to others stands out like a light in the darkness -- an Internet Beacon.  It is those sites that receive the Internet Beacon Awards.

Inspection Process

All sites will be inspected as soon as possible, but the process may take as long as three months. 

When you apply for an award, your application will be checked for completeness.  If it's valid (Phase 1), you will receive an ID number by return email.  You may then check the current status of your application on the Status page.  If your email address or site URL is invalid, your application will be discarded and no site inspection will be performed. 

Your site will receive a quick, superficial preliminary inspection (Phase 2) to check for obvious disqualifiers.  If your site passes the preliminary inspection (Phase 3), it is ready for the next step.

Finally, your site will receive a painstaking and thorough page-by-page review (Phase 4).  If a disqualifier is found at any point, the inspection will end.  If your site makes it through this inspection, it will then be scored for a possible Internet Beacon Award.  Merit Awards may also be granted at this point.

If the Status page tells you that the inspection of your site is complete, and you have not heard from me, you may safely assume that your site has not won an Internet Beacon Award.

Normally, only award winners are contacted.  All decisions are final.  However, I would be happy to provide you with a scoring summary and/or a reason for disqualification on request.

90-Day Rule

If you are unsuccessful in winning an Internet Beacon Award, you are welcome to re-apply no sooner than 90 days after your last application if you have made improvements to your site.  (A re-application for the purpose of upgrading your Internet Beacon Award is permitted.  The 90-day waiting period still applies.)  Repeated violation of this rule may result in your site's permanent disqualification from the Internet Beacon Awards.

Internet Beacon Award Statistics for 2009
(All applications through June 3 have been processed)

Internet Beacon Award Statistics for 2002-2008