An Invitation from The Association of Support Professionals

Dear Colleague,

Would you spend $1,000-$2,000 to get a really objective benchmarking analysis of your Web support site from five independent judges? If so, let me offer a suggestion: consider entering our annual ASP Best Support Websites competition.

Naturally, the focus of the competition is on the top-ranked sites. But many companies enter even though they know they’re unlikely to end up an award winner.

The reason: Everyone who enters gets back a confidential, detailed profile of how their site scored in 22 separate performance categories. And the report also shows how these 22 scores compare against averages for all the other entries–precise benchmarks you otherwise couldn’t buy at any price.

And the scores you get back aren’t just one person’s anecdotal opinion. Every site gets reviewed by at least five independent analysts, using a scoring system that’s been fine-tuned over the past twenty-five years. If there’s an industry-wide yardstick for excellent Web support, this is it, hands down.

The report you get will show how your site compares against your peers in a wide range of areas– usability, design, navigation, knowledgebase and search implementation, interactive features (forums, e-mail, chat, etc.), the quality of customer experience, technology, use of metrics, and much more. You’ll see where your site is delivering state-of-the-art self-service, and where you need to catch up to the competition.

Not a bad deal for an entry fee of just $1,100 for a small company ($300 discount for corporate members), $1,75000 for a medium sized company ($400 discount for corporate members), and $2,200 for a large company ($600 discount for corporate members).

Think about the value of this kind of independent, objective assessment the next time you’re lobbying for budget dollars for a site upgrade. Or looking for recognition for a job well done. As the folks from MasterCard might say: “Priceless.”

If you’re curious about how the “best sites” process works, just look through the Awards links in the navigation box at the top.

You’ll find a copy of the scoring system, an FAQ, and an entry form. And if our Web site leaves you with any nagging questions, drop me a note and I’ll try to help.

I look forward to seeing your entry!

Al Hahn
Executive Director
Association of Support Professionals
Mobile Phone: 503-780-3520
ahahn@asponline.com
www.asponline.com

Eligibility Entry Procedures
Entries may be submitted by individuals, companies, or outside firms that participated in the site development process. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed application form, an essay or online form that describes the major challenge the site developers faced and three key site features. Those submitting an essay should review the FAQS concerning the essay or can submit the online form entry. Please do not submit both. Both essays and the online form are limited to 12 pages, including screenshots. We will accept video links to familiarize the judges with your site. An onboarding video might work well for that or an overview video. Do not attach video files as they are too large. Only links will be accepted and will probably help your scores.

Deadline for all entries is Friday, May 12, 2023.

Scoring
The judges will use a scoring system that addresses five general areas:

  • Site user experience
  • Content offering
  • Content engagement and interaction
  • Site improvement processes – from entry or essay
  • Site measurement processes -from entry or  essay

Publication
The winning sites are profiled in ASP reports that include screen shots, essays, online entry form, answers, benchmarks, and related material. All entrants will receive complimentary  copies of these reports after publication.

Administration
Entries should be submitted to The Association of Support Professionals in electronic form (see application for details). Entry fee is $2,200 for large company entries ($600 discount for corporate members) , $1,650 for medium company entries ($400 discount for corporate members), and $1,100 for small company entries ($250 discount for corporate members).

Sponsor

The 2023 ASP Best Support Websites competition is sponsored by a generous contribution from

SearchUnify is a unified cognitive platform, by Grazitti Interactive, and is built on a core of cognitive technology, machine learning and an insights engine. It powers an intelligent search engine & AI-based applications including Intelligent Chatbot, Agent Helper, KCS Enabler, Escalation Predictor and Community Helper, that help elevate customer support & self-service.