The first step in applying for an award is to save a description of your web site as a text file. If you've submiited to search engines before, then you've probably already got a description. This description is crucial, as it is the reviewers introduction to your site. If a reviewer has a lot of sites to visit, and they have to choose which they visit, then a good description is the only way to get your site noticed.

You should spend some time be time checking the criteria of the award for which you are applying. Don't bother applying for an award if you don't meet the criteria. For example, if you have a personal site, don't apply for commercial site awards. Some awards force you to read the criteria by hiding a secret word within the criteria. Your site will only be reviewed if you can find the secret word. Most award sites have a short form that you must either fill out or send by email. Make sure you don't exceed any specified maximum word counts.