WebsiteSpark: Get Your Web On!!!

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From:  https://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/Default.aspx 

 

Microsoft® WebsiteSpark™ is designed to ignite the success of professional Web developers and designers. The program enables you to get software, support and business opportunities from Microsoft at no upfront costs for 3 years or exit from the program.

Program Benefits

WebSiteSpark provides access to a technology offering for development and production hosting of websites. Once enrolled, you can download the following software from Microsoft:

  • For design, development, testing and demonstration of new websites – for a total of up to three users per Web design and development company:
    • Visual Studio Professional Expression Studio 3 (1 user) and Expression Web 3 (up to 2 users)
    • Windows Web Server 2008 R2
    • SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
  • For production use – that is, to deploy and host new websites developed using Program software – using a total of up to four processors per Web design and development company, of the following (physical or virtual) dedicated servers:
    • Windows Web Server 2008 R2
    • SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

In addition to software, Microsoft WebsiteSpark offers Web development and design companies the opportunity to:

  • Get Business Opportunities: Get opportunities to expand your customer base and drive new business through showcasing your capabilities and connecting with partners, by featuring your talents in Microsoft marketing and business networking vehicles.
  • Get Support and Training - benefits include:
    • 2 professional support incidents
    • Free online training Managed newsgroups on MSDN (a community of over six million developers) and other Microsoft online properties
    • Access to broad community support through connections with Network Partners, Hosting Partners and peers with complementary services and technologies

Program Features

  1. Eligibility Requirements: An eligible Web design and development company must have the following characteristics at the time of joining:
    • A professional service firm whose primary business is providing Web development and design services for its clients, with
    • no more than 10 members (including owners and employees).
    • In addition: To be eligible to continue to participate in the Program, the company must deploy a new public and Internet-accessible website developed using Program software within 6 months from Program enrollment, and report it and other new websites through the WebsiteSpark Portal.
  2. Term: Eligible Web development and design companies can participate in WebsiteSpark for up to 3 years. On the first and second anniversary of initial enrollment, they must update their enrollment (e.g., confirm they haven't gone public and their ownership hasn't changed).
  3. Fee: A USD $100 Program Offering Fee is due when the Web development and design company exits the Program. As part of Microsoft's commitment to small Web development and design service companies’ long term success, there are no upfront costs for companies to join WebsiteSpark.