These web design awards are, after all, a very nice reward for the work and the care that you have put into creating your web design. Even if you haven't won one yet for the most spectacular web design, it's not too late. You just haven't spoken to the right people. After all, it's not as though the judges for these web design awards spend their time surfing the entire world wide web in the hopes that they'll find someone who is award worthy. Instead, you actually need to seek them out and submit your site to be judged.

You won't receive a web design award if you don't apply for one! The other sites that you've seen have already applied for theirs, so it's time that you picked yours up ? if your site wins, that is.

There are a number of different sites out there, each offering their own type of web design award. Many of them are legitimate, while others are more like under-cover link exchanges. You need to be prudent while looking for an award site, so that you're not just advertising for someone else.

When you do find a web design award website, make sure that your site fits their rules before you apply. For example, some sites permit only non-commercial websites to apply, while others welcome everyone up to corporate websites. Similarly, some web design awards sits accept only those without frames, and some won't allow a site that contains java-applets. Don't miss out on an award simply because you didn't read the rules for applying!

Of course, prestige isn't the only thing that you'll gain from winning a web design award. These are also very good ways to drum up some extra traffic to your website. If you have a fantastic site ? that is, one good enough for an award ? it will commonly be showcased on the award site's homepage, frequently leading to more hits on your site.

Don't be discouraged if you don't win the first time you submit your site for a web design award. Think of it as a fun addition to the joy you already get from web design itself. It will challenge you to keep improving your skills and your web designs until they are better than the other competitors.

To help you along, use the following tips to assist in getting an award:

Don't over-do the requests to an award site

Don't submit adult sites

Make certain that the site you're submitting is entirely finished, without any ?under construction? or ?coming soon? pages

Make sure that your loading time is fast. The award judges won't wait forever for your site to load.

Check your graphics and ensure there aren't any broken ones. Nor should there be any 404 errors.

Focus on your content. It's just as important in everything else in your web design.

Overall, use your common sense to make sure that the site is fully functional, and is appealing overall. It has to make sense, be useable, and be pleasant to visit. Everything else is completely up to you!

To get you started with your web design award appplications, try the following reputable award sites:

Coolsiteoftheday.com

Awardsites.com

Netguide

USA Today

Lycos Top 5

Goldenwebaward.com

There are many other award sites to which you can send your web design award application, but these are just a few of the more reputable ones; ones that will get you better hits, and increased recognition.

When you do win an award, don't forget to include it in your web design by posting it somewhere on the winning site. This is very appealing to many visitors, and looks good for the credibility of the site. Furthermore, don't forget to include the award among the achievements you've accomplished in your professional resume, and in your web design portfolio. There's nothing more convincing than an award for a prospective client! Best of luck!