Since around 1996 the world of conchology started to make its presence on the World Wide Web through Web sites created by shell dealers, shell clubs, conchologists, and malacologists. The Internet is also a visual medium, and as such, incorporating digital shell images on many of these conchology Web sites was a natural. Worldwide Conchology is an outgrowth of a shell dealer Web site where many shell images resided. The shell images are presented as artforms, yet the textual information conveys basic scientific information about the shells for edification and identification. Shell colors and patterns have inspired artists, textile manufactures, and nature lovers.
Shells have a broad appeal in the worlds of art and science.
Professional and well thought out Web sites boost the stature and prestige of the hobby. The Web Award is not a competition, and cannot be applied for or solicited. Web sites will be selected for judging based on a predescribed set of criteria. Web sites judged to have the right stuff, with more than 75 percentage points will be eligible for the Worldwide Conchology Web Award. The Web site must be built around shell images and meet a five-point judging criteria.