Fortune_Hunter - 6:10 pm on Jul 6, 2009 (gmt 0)

I would say it depends on how you use them. For SEO I think it has a very minor effect, but it would be an effect you could easily replicate using inbound links from other sites and possibly even cheaper.

However as a marketing tool it can be very beneficial. Here is what I mean, in the copy I use on my web site and in print I say "Award Winning Internet Marketer" or "Award Winning Developer" without actually mentioning the award. Clients that see this are often impressed and will ask me about it, at that point I will tell them what the award was for.

Some people ask, some don't care. For those that do care it adds one more arrow in my sales quiver. For those that don't care it doesn't hurt. It really doesn't matter how prestigious the award in most cases as most clients really don't know what they are or really care. The fact that you "won" any award is impressive to those that do care. At least that has been my experience.