Microsoft® WebsiteSpark™ is designed—in the same vein as Microsoft BizSpark™—to jumpstart business development for small professional Web development and design companies (referred to as ―Web Pros‖) interested in adding proficiency on the Microsoft platform to their business credentials. The program helps Web Pros drive new business opportunities through increased visibility and connections with partners (including Web Hosters) and customers around the world; WebsiteSpark also provides Web Pros with Microsoft tools and hosting solutions, as well as support and training.
Web Pros enroll in the program through the WebsiteSpark Web site.
A valid approval code from a Microsoft Champ, Network Partner, or Hosting Partner is required for registration. Under normal circumstances, this approval code will be received in an automated e-mail message. If an approval code is not available, the company’s Primary Contact1 can select a Hosting Partner and request a code by using the ―Find a Hosting Partner‖ tool on the WebsiteSpark Web site.
- Once connected to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark, the Primary Contact should click on ―Find a Hosting Partner.‖
- Next, the Primary Contact applies desired filters:
- Filter by Hosting Partners that support only the company’s country/region
- Broaden the search to include Hosting Partners that support the company’s country/region and others
- The Primary Contact selects a country/region from the drop-down list box. The system populates the page with Hosting Partners that satisfy the filter criteria.
- If desired, the Primary Contact can refine the list by filtering state/province for the selected country/region.
- The system sends notification about the company'ss pending approval to the selected Hosting Partner or Champ.
Once an approval code is secured, the Primary Contact can complete the enrollment process. To do so, the Primary Contact first connects to the WebsiteSpark Web site. The enrollment process is quick and easy. The Primary Contact must be signed in to Windows Live™ ID. If not, the system will prompt to do so.
- Once connected to WebsiteSpark Web site, the Primary Contact should review the eligibility requirements and check the appropriate box. When ready, the Primary Contact clicks — Join WebsiteSpark to continue the enrollment process.
- The Primary Contact is prompted to review and accept the WebsiteSpark Web Pro Agreement and the WebsiteSpark Program License Terms. The acceptance of both agreements is required to continue the enrollment process.
- Next, the Primary Contact enters information about the company and the individual completing the enrollment application
- The final step in the enrollment process is to enter an approval code provided by a Network Partner or a Champ if a Network Partner was not available. If a valid approval code is entered, the enrollment is complete and the company is approved in WebsiteSpark.
- Once the enrollment process is complete and the company is approved, the company’s Primary Contact will receive a "Welcome to the Microsoft WebsiteSpark Program" e-mail that includes next steps for getting started.
Web Pros can expand their customer base and drive new business by connecting with an ecosystem of customers, partners, and other Web Pros with complementary technologies. They can benefit from Microsoft marketing and business networking vehicles to showcase and drive demand toward their Web services and solutions.
Existing BizSpark startups are not eligible for membership in WebsiteSpark as Web Pros, as BizSpark is for startup companies with a specific technology need while WebsiteSpark is for professional services firms. However, existing BizSpark Hosting Partners are encouraged to sign on as WebsiteSpark Hosting Partners.
"Web Pros" are small professional Web development and design companies, Web-based Value-Added Providers (VAPs), and IT generalists who have Web competencies.
Program qualifications for Web Pros are as follows:
- Professional firms whose primary business is providing Web development and design services for their customers.
- Web Pro firms must have 10 or less members (including owners, employees, and contractors).
In addition, Web Pros must be willing to:
- Develop and deploy at least one new Web site using Microsoft tools and servers within six months after enrollment, and report it and other new sites to Microsoft.
- If not already a member, enroll in the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN, formerly known as the Microsoft Partner Program) as part of program participation.
WebsiteSpark provides the following benefits to Web Pros:
- Opportunities to drive new business and expand their customer base with the following:
- WebsiteSpark Marketplace, powered by Pinpoint and coming later this fall. A site where Web Pros can:
- Be found by customers
- Build a Web presence and showcase their capabilities
- Simplify the process to connect with qualified customers
- Partner Recruiting Portal. A resource on the MPN site for finding and recruiting partners with complementary skills.
- Web App Gallery. A resource that provides instant access to the most popular community Web applications available. Web Pros can browse the gallery to find off-the-shelf Web applications and solutions to make their business more successful. They can choose with confidence, knowing that community applications are tested to work with the Microsoft Web platform and will work straight out of the box. The Windows Web application enables Web Pros, with just a few clicks, to install the most popular community Web applications directly into their Web site. Web Pros can reach more customers by submitting and showcasing their own work through the Web App Gallery.
- Opportunities for support and training: Receive professional support from Microsoft and get connected to WebsiteSpark Network Partners, Hosting Partners, and other Web developers and designers with complementary technologies or business models—an entire ecosystem that can provide a wide range of technical and business resources for every Web professional need. Benefits include:
- Two professional support incidents per program membership
- Free online training
- Managed newsgroups on MSDN (a community of over six million developers) and/or other Microsoft online properties
- Access to broad community support through connections with Network Partners, Hosting Partners, and peers with complementary services and technologies
- Fast, easy, and immediate access to Microsoft Web design and development software and solutions:
- Design Tools/Development Tools/Testing Tools. Each Web Pro firm will be entitled to :
- Visual Studio® 2008 Professional Edition – 3 user licenses
- Expression® Studio 2 (or 3) – 1 user license, available only to the Primary Contact for the Web Pro
Expression® Web 2 (or 3) – 2 user licenses
- Windows Web Server® 2008 (or Windows Web Server 2008 R2 when available) – 3 user licenses
- SQL Server® 2008 Web – 3 user licenses
- Web Pro firms may also qualify for special offers from Microsoft or others, including complementary third-party technologies such as:
- DotNetPanel control panel—A premium control panel from SMB SAAS Systems, Inc., so that Web Pros can effectively control Web site hosting parameters
The only difference in available software is that the Web Pro’s Primary Contact will have access to Expression® Studio on the WebsiteSpark portal, while the Secondary Contacts will have access to Expression® Web from MSDN (through a special hyperlink from the WebsiteSpark portal). This reflects typical use of Expression in most Web design firms.
WebsiteSpark includes the following resources for more information:
- WebsiteSpark
- The main Web page for the program is found at http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/. This portal provides special access to all program benefits, including software.
- Microsoft Partner Network (formerly known as Microsoft Partner Program or MSPP)
- The MPN is the primary relationship management program for doing business with Microsoft and its products. The program provides sales and marketing assistance, expertise to improve competencies and innovation, and communities to enhance relationships and collaboration. For more information, visit http://partner.microsoft.com.
- Microsoft Web Platform
- Whether you are looking to create your company’s global Web presence, building applications for your small business, launching a new Web site, or just getting started on the Web, Microsoft has the solutions for you—trusted by the Fortune 500 and used by millions of individuals. For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/web.
- ASP.NET
- Microsoft and the ASP.NET developer community provide many support options for various questions, each answered in a tutorial, video, or other resource and outlined in a step-by-step approach. For more information, visit http://www.asp.net/.
- IIS.NET
- This resource provides detailed help via questions placed in communities and forums for various categories, such as general, security, publishing, configuration, setup, and migration. For more information, visit http://www.iis.net/.
WebsiteSpark benefits Web Pros who want to get more out of the Microsoft Web platform, have 10 or less members (including owners, employees, and contractors), and are actively building new Web sites for their customers. WebsiteSpark provides business development programs, tools, and technologies to build sites and applications, as well as support and training programs to help ensure adoption and success.
There is no upfront cost for Web Pros to join WebsiteSpark or receive its benefits; a USD $100 Program Offering Fee is due when the Web Pro exits the Program.
The software, training, and support benefits are available immediately upon registering for the program.
In order to access the software, Web Pros can connect to the MSDN Web site through a link after logging in to the WebsiteSpark site. Software is distributed via the Download Software and License Keys area on the MSDN Web site.
Licenses obtained under the WebsiteSpark program are for new installations only.
Microsoft intends WebsiteSpark to inspire success in the Web business. Once a company starts participating in the Microsoft community, it will find wide avenues of support with MSDN and MPN.
For discounted production software granted under the terms of the program, the licenses are carried under a modified version of SPLA. For Web Pros who self-host, at the end of program participation, the discounts expire and licenses that continue to be used are billed at then-prevailing SPLA rates. For Web Pros using hosted servers at a Hosting Partner, the discounted fees granted to the Hosting Partner will expire, but the terms and pricing of the hosting services are between the Hosting Partner and former Web Pros.
Web Pros can continue to work in any platform they choose.
Web Pros get dedicated support from Microsoft engineers and Network Partners around the world—companies that focus on supporting small Web businesses and can provide a wide range of resources. Web Pros also will receive free online training, managed newsgroups, and access to the MSDN developer community and resources.
Also, Network Partners provide technical and business support and guidance to Web Pros, helping them to build Web business with their expertise and offerings. Network Partners can build a relationship as Web Pros’ valued business partner by contributing to their success.
Web Pros receive fast, easy, and immediate access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and Web server hosting licenses to develop and bring to market differentiated, innovative, and rich Internet sites and applications. Web Pros can improve their productivity through cost-effective hosting solutions for their new Web sites. In addition, there is no upfront cost to enroll.
Tax rules vary and are dependent on many factors, including business structure and geography. You should consult with your tax advisors to determine the applicable consequences of receiving any program benefits, including downloading and using the program software.
Web Pros are not required to contract for managed hosting services or to even obtain hosting services from a Hosting Partner. They can self-host their customers’ Web sites, or they can contract with any Hoster of their choice. However, only a WebsiteSpark Hosting Partner meets certain qualifications and can provide hosting services at a discounted rate.
Microsoft WebsiteSpark™