If you have an additional question, contact the organisers by email. We will add any additional questions relevant to entrants to this list.

Note that there is detailed information about the Awards in a number of locations on this web site. 

How do I know if I can enter?
Please read the eligibility criteria.

Do I have to be a registered company?
No - the Awards are open to all types of businesses including registered companies, sole traders, partnerships, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations.

We develop an e-commerce product - can we enter?
Yes, if your business can show gains to the business through the use of ICT, and if you fulfill the eligibility criteria. Do not enter your company on the basis of one of your customer's use of your product - you should encourage them to enter on the their own behalf, or nominate them.

We are a web designer/developer - can I enter?
Yes, if you can show business benefits for your own organisation through the use of ICT, and if you fulfill the eligibility criteria. Do not enter your company on the basis of one of your customer's web sites - you should encourage them to enter on the their own behalf, or nominate them.

How do I know which category(s) to enter?
Read the eligibility guide first, then when you register the initial questions in the application you will be advised which categories you are eligible to enter.

What happens to information I provide?
It is stored in a secure database. For further details read the privacy statement.

Can I change my entry?
Yes. Once you have started an entry - even if you don't complete it - you can come back and enhance or amend your application as often as you like up to the closing date.

I nominated a company - what happens next?
They will receive an email telling them you nominated them, and providing a link they can use to complete an entry.

How long have the Awards been running?
This is the seventh year of the E-Commerce Awards.

Who pays for the Awards?
The Awards are funded primarily by the national and regional sponsors. 

Why do I have to fill in an application?
To provide enough information for the judges to understand what you have achieved, and compare your entry against your peers. It is not enough to have a nice looking website.

I'm not the right person in my organisation to enter - what do I do?
You can either nominate your company providing contact details for the right person, or encourage them to enter.

We are a registered charity - can I still enter?
Yes you can - you can enter any of the categories provided you fulfill the entry requirements.

We are a subsidiary of a non-UK company - can we enter?
Yes, provided you are a UK registered company.

Who are the judges?
For the regional finals, the judges are mostly local to the region. The judging panel is broadly made up of a representative each from the DTI, InterForum, the Regional Sponsor, local media (business editor of a local newspaper for instance), and a previous winner.

What is the judging process?
Once entries close, a short listing process begins. Incomplete or ineligible entries are rejected. The remaining entries in each category are then reviewed and a broad ranking based on the judging criteria produced. The best entries in each category are then forwarded to the judging panel.

The winners of each category in each region are then put before a national judging panel with similar constituents to produce a National category winner. The finalists for each national innovations categories are judged at a national level with winners selected by a separate judging panel. All national winners then go forward for the overall prize.

What is InterForum and what is it's purpose?
InterForum is a not-for-profit organisation that helps British businesses to trade electronically.

When do applications open?
Applications will be accepted from March 29th 2005.

When do applications close?
The closing date for applications is July 29th 2005.

What can I win?
Winners of each category, in each of the 12 awards regions will receive a prestigious trophy,  free publicity, and a place in the national finals. Winners and runners up also receive certificates of commendation. Winners are announced at a regional presentation event.

The regional winners in each of the six categories then go forward to be judged at a national level. Winners in each category are awarded a trophy at the Awards Gala Dinner held in London on October 6th 2005.

Having been selected by the national judging panel, one of the six category winners will then be announced as the national e-champion for 2005 and will be presented with a cash prize of £50,000

How long will it take to enter?
That very much depends how much detail you provide, however to actually fill in the questions should take 10-20 minutes in total. You can start an application and come back to it later, and you can also refine your answers later - you will be given an entry ID to use to access your entry at a future time. You should also consider reviewing the questions and the writing the answers off-line so you can cut & paste them into the fields provided.

What do I need to prepare before I enter?
You will ned to have basic information - address, phone numbers, years in operation, employees - information about your use of the Internet, information about the benefits you have acheived and some specific questions depending on the category you are eligible for.

Can I send a paper entry?
No. As an e-commerce/e-business program we are using the technology for the entries, so applications can only be submitted online.  

I'm a one person business. Do I stand any chance against much larger businesses?
Every chance. The judges are looking for evidence of how a business has been improved or transformed by the use of ICT on whatever budget or resources. They take into account the more limited means of smaller organisations. What is important is to show what new, fresh and novel things you have done to benefit your organisation.
 
In different regions of the country, in different categories, competition is greater or lesser. Make sure you complete entries for all the categories you think you can show some benefit for your business. If you don't enter, you can't win.
 
I think I have a much better web site than some of the shortlisted or winning companies. Why didn't I win?
The E-Commerce Awards are not a web beauty parade. Whilst we take into account the care and professionalism made in putting together a web presence - especially where it is a primary channel to market - the judges main basis of awarding category prizes is the demonstrable evidence in your application form, supported by your public web site, extranet or intranet.
 
My company is in Wales. Where can I get some local advice?
You should contact BusinessEye on 08457 969798, who can put you in touch with an appropriate local advisor.