Contents
Contents 2
General Questions 4
What is the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program? 4
What is the enrollment process for Web Pros? 4
How does this program help to drive new business opportunities for each audience? 5
What differentiating value does this program create for business? 6
My company is already a BizSpark member. Can we enroll in WebsiteSpark as well? 6
Web Pros 7
How does WebsiteSpark define “Web Pros”? 7
Who is eligible for WebsiteSpark? 7
What are the WebsiteSpark offers to Web Pros? 7
Why are the software downloads different for the Primary Contact and Secondary Contacts? 8
What technology resources are included in this program? 8
What types of companies can benefit from WebsiteSpark? 9
How much does it cost to join WebsiteSpark? 9
Will my company be allowed to use the support and training benefits immediately or will there be some delay? 9
How can my company access the program software? 9
What if my company already has a licensed copy of the software that WebsiteSpark offers? 9
What will happen after three years of participation in WebsiteSpark? 9
If my company participates in WebsiteSpark, are we required to stop using other hosting platforms? 10
How does WebsiteSpark provide cutting-edge support and training? 10
How does WebsiteSpark help companies to quickly develop differentiated Web sites? 10
Are there any tax consequences to program benefits, such as downloading and using the program software? 10
Does a Web Pro have to sign up with a Hosting Partner? 10
Hosting Partners 11
How does WebsiteSpark define “Hosting Partners”? 11
What does it cost to become a Hosting Partner? 11
What benefits do Hosting Partners receive from the program? 11
What is the difference between being a Network Partner and a Hosting Partner? 11
Who is eligible to be a Hosting Partner? 12
As a Hosting Partner, what software can I use to offer hosting services to Web Pros? What conditions must I follow when using the hosting software? 12
What information should I provide to become a Hosting Partner? 12
What is the process for enrolling as a Hosting Partner? 12
How does this program help to drive new business opportunities for Hosting Partners? 13
What are the conditions for hosting Web Pros under WebsiteSpark? 13
How do Hosting Partners help to easily enroll Web Pros in WebsiteSpark? 13
How do Web Pros select a Hosting Partner? 14
With such a broad list of Hosting Partners, how can Web Pros choose a Hosting Partner that best meets their needs? 14
How does a Hosting Partner help a company determine if it qualifies for WebsiteSpark? 14
Can a Hosting Partner’s existing customers—who otherwise qualify for WebsiteSpark—be enrolled into the program? 15
What type of Microsoft software license does a Hosting Partner provision onto servers for Web Pros? How does the WebsiteSpark Hosting Partner report usage associated with these servers? 15
What types of hosting services can Hosting Partners offer to Web Pros? Are there any restrictions on these services? 15
Will Microsoft offer free migration from a Web Pro company’s existing Hoster to a Hosting Partner that WebsiteSpark provides? 15
What changes to the hosting infrastructure might a Hoster have to make in order to be a WebsiteSpark Hosting Partner? 15
The person who enrolled my company as a Hosting Partner used their own Windows Live ID. How can we change our account so that it specifies a different Live ID and Primary Contact? What if the current Primary Contact is no longer with our company, and we do not know how to log in? 16
How long can a Hosting Partner provide hosting discounts to Web Pros? 16
How will a Hosting Partner know when a Web Pro no longer qualifies for the WebsiteSpark discounts? 16
Ifa Hosting Partner ends its own membership in the program, what happens to the Web Pros receiving hosting services from that Hosting Partner? 16
Network Partners 17
How does WebsiteSpark define “Network Partners,” and what business benefits do they receive? 17
Why should I become a Network Partner? 17
What is the enrollment process for Network Partners? 17
How do Network Partners help to enroll Web Pros into WebsiteSpark? 17
What does it cost to become a Network Partner? 18
Are Network Partners allowed to charge a Web Pro for sponsorship in the program? 18
How can my company list its information on the WebsiteSpark site? 18
As a Network Partner, my company has multiple users who need to access the WebsiteSpark portal. How do we manage this? 18
General Questions
What is the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program?
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.
What is the enrollment process for Web Pros?
Several groups take part in the enrollment process:
Web Pros
Web Pros enroll in the program through the WebsiteSpark Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark.
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 Contact[1] can select a Hosting Partner and request a code by using the “Find a Hosting Partner” tool on the WebsiteSpark Web site.
1. Once connected to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark, the Primary Contact should click on “Find a Hosting Partner.”
2. 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
3. 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.
4. If desired, the Primary Contact can refine the list by filtering state/province for the selected country/region.
5. The system sends notification about the company’s 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 at http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark. 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.
1. Once connected to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark, 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.
2. 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.
3. Next, the Primary Contact enters information about the company and the individual completing the enrollment application.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Network Partners
Network Partners nominate Web Pros for WebsiteSpark membership on behalf of Microsoft. Network Partners should have an existing relationship with these potential members.
Hosting Partners
Similar to Network Partners, Hosting Partners nominate Web Pros for WebsiteSpark membership. Hosting Partners can have an existing relationship with potential members, but this is not required. Hosting Partners also will be listed in a directory for those Web Pros who do not have a previous nomination. A designated contact for the Hosting Partner will receive a request for a nomination, and that contact will choose whether to grant the nomination.
The target Hosting Partner is a managed Communications Sector Hoster with a focus on small and medium business customers. Each Hosting Partner must sign a Service Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA) amendment that gives Web Pros enrolled in WebsiteSpark the right to provide hosting. Under WebsiteSpark, Hosting Partners incur no charges for the Microsoft licenses consumed by Web Pros. Hosting Partners must pass this cost savings to Web Pros in the form of a discounted hosting price.
How does this program help to drive new business opportunities for each audience?
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.
Hosting Partners provide the hosting infrastructure for Web sites built by Web Pros. Hosting Partners can increase touch points and grow their customer base by gaining exposure as a Microsoft partner and participating in an ecosystem that includes not only Web Pros but also their customers.
Network Partners sponsor Web Pros for WebsiteSpark and provide business and technical services and guidance to support them. Network Partners can become a valued business partner by contributing to Web Pros’ success. Network Partners also can grow their customer/audience base by gaining exposure as a Microsoft partner and participating in an ecosystem that includes not only Web Pros but also their customers.
What differentiating value does this program create for business?
WebsiteSpark provides a thriving business and technical climate to build Web sites. WebsiteSpark achieves this by focusing on business development programs. Tools and technologies to build sites and applications, as well as support and training programs, help to ensure adoption and success.
By participating in WebsiteSpark, Network Partners and Hosting Partners gain exposure as a Microsoft partner and join an ecosystem that includes not only Web development and design companies but also their customers. With this exposure and geometric progression of touch points, WebsiteSpark Network Partners and Hosting Partners can extend their reach and grow their business and customer base.
My company is already a BizSpark member. Can we enroll in WebsiteSpark as well?
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
How does WebsiteSpark define “Web Pros”?
“Web Pros” are small professional Web development and design companies, Web-based Value-Added Providers (VAPs), and IT generalists who have Web competencies.
Who is eligible for WebsiteSpark?
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.
What are the WebsiteSpark offers to Web Pros?
WebsiteSpark provides the following benefits to Web Pros:
· Opportunities to drive new business and expand their customer base with the following:
o 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
o Partner Recruiting Portal. A resource on the MPN site for finding and recruiting partners with complementary skills.
o 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:
o Two professional support incidents per program membership
o Free online training
o Managed newsgroups on MSDN (a community of over six million developers) and/or other Microsoft online properties
o 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:
o 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
o Production and Deployment. If self-hosting, each Web Pro firm will be entitled to four processor production licenses each (requires enrollment in SPLA Essentials):