Microsoft® WebsiteSpark is a global program designed to help jumpstart business development for small professional Web development and design Companies and Individuals (referred to as Web Pros) by providing new business opportunities through connections with global partners and customers, support and training, and software tools at no upfront cost.

Two different groups take part in the enrollment process:

Web Pros

Web Pros enroll in the program through the WebsiteSpark Website:
http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark.

The enrollment process is quick and easy.

1. Once connected to the site, Web Pros click the green button 'Join WebsiteSpark' to begin enrollment. The Web Pro must be signed in to Windows Live ID. If not, the system will prompt them to do so. Web Pros may sign in with a current Live ID or create a new one. It is important to remember that this Live ID will remain associated with the Web Pro's WebsiteSpark account and must be used to log in. We do not keep a record of Web Pro Live IDs.
2. Next, the Web Pro enters information about the Company or Individual and the person completing the enrollment application. If the Web Pro has received an enrollment code from a Network Partner or Microsoft Contact, a box is provided to enter it on the application. If Web Pros have not received an enrollment code from a Network Partner, they will later have the opportunity to associate themselves with one via their administration portal.
3. After the application has been submitted, a validation email will be sent to the contact email provided in the application. Web Pros must follow the instructions in the email to finish the enrollment process. Web Pros that entered a valid enrollment code on their application will automatically bypass the email validation step and are automatically accepted into the program.
4. Once the enrollment process is complete and the email has been validated, the Company or Individual's Primary Contact will receive a 'Welcome to the Microsoft WebsiteSpark Program' email that includes next steps for getting started.
5. When ready to download software, the Web Pro must review and accept the WebsiteSpark Web Pro Agreement, the MPN Community Agreement, and the WebsiteSpark Program License Terms. The acceptance of the foregoing is required to continue the enrollment process.

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.

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.

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.

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 or individuals, Web based Value Added Providers (VAPs), and IT generalists who have Web competencies.

An eligible Web design and development Company or Individual must have the following characteristics at the time of joining:

• Company : 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 (maximum of 25 members for Brazil, China, India, and Japan). This includes a sole proprietor who runs his/her own company and has no employees
• Individual : An individual that performs web related development and/or design services for its current customers or plans to provide such services to its customers in the future. An individual does not have his/her own company and/or does not work for a web design or development company.
• Companies and Individuals do not have to be members of the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) prior to joining the Program, but enrollment in MPN is a feature of Program participation. Companies and Individuals will agree to the terms of the MPN Community Agreement when they accept the WebsiteSpark Agreement. We will compare the Company's or Individual's contact information entered by the Company or Individual during its WebsiteSpark Program enrollment process with information in the MPN. The Company's or Individual's contact information will be added to or updated in the MPN contact information as required.

WebsiteSpark provides the following benefits to Web Pros:

• Opportunities to drive new business and expand their customer base with the following:
  • Microsoft Pinpoint . A resource as a member of MPN 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
  • 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:
  • Each Web Pro firm will be entitled to the following Design, Development and Testing Tools:
    • Visual Studio® Professional Edition: 3 developer licenses
    • Expression® Studio: 1 developer license, available only to the Primary Contact for the Web Pro
    • Expression® Web: 2 developer licenses
    • Windows Web Server® 2008 R2: 3 developer licenses
    • SQL Server® 2008 Web Edition: 3 developer licenses
  • Web Pro firms may also qualify for special offers from Microsoft or others, including complementary third party technologies such as:

The only difference in available software is that the Web Pros' 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 cost for Web Pros to join WebsiteSpark or receive its benefits.

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 for WebsiteSpark to inspire success in the Web business. WebsiteSpark provides software for three years of use.

Web Pros who have deployed a site using program software and servers can retain one license of the version of Expression Web available at the end of the 3 year Term.

Microsoft will have two special offers available for WebsiteSpark graduates.

• WebsiteSpark Graduation Package: this will include products equivalent to the WebsiteSpark Program Offering for $999 per year and continued presence in the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN).
• Entry Server Package: this will include products equivalent to Program Hosting Servers for $199 per year per processor and continued presence in the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN).

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 that 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.

Good Standing refers to the status of a Web Pro who is in compliance with all Program Agreements and has deployed a Web Pro Website on Windows Server 7.0 or higher (on a Hosting Server or with a Hosting Partner), and reported it through the Program Website. Web Pro firms that deploy sites on Windows Server 7.0 or higher will also be awarded the right to retain one license of the version of Expression Web (or its equivalent) when the program ends.

Hosters are companies that provide hosting infrastructure and network support for others. Categories of Hosters include Internet hosting providers, Web hosting providers, telecommunications firms with hosting offerings, and colocated data centers. Once enrolled in WebsiteSpark as Network Partners, Hosters are referred to as Hosting Partners. Hosting Partners provide hosting infrastructure and network support for the programs designers and developers (Web Pros) to run new Web sites on behalf of their customers.

There is no upfront cost to participate in the program. Hosting Partners bear the costs of infrastructure and equipment to support the hosting environment as well as any other software required to establish that infrastructure.

By participating in WebsiteSpark, Hosters 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 Hosting Partners can extend their reach and grow their business and customer base. They also can contribute to the infrastructure and business environment that support the Web technologies that companies and consumers rely on worldwide.

Microsoft WebsiteSpark provides the following benefits to Hosting Partners:

• Opportunities for business growth. Increase touch points and grow your customer base by gaining exposure as a Microsoft partner and participating in an ecosystem that includes not only Web Pros but also their customers.
• Business development. Help to build your residual income stream and increase your chances of retaining customers by adding value to services.
• Hosting Community support. Through the Microsoft Hosting Community, a part of the MPN, gain access to a broad range of information about products and services that can support hosting businesses by complementing and extending hosting solutions from Microsoft.
• DotNetPanel control panel. Gain access (per usual third party terms) to a third party premium control panel from SMB SAAS Systems, Inc., so that Web Pros can effectively control Web site hosting parameters.
• Increased visibility. Contribute to the infrastructure and business environment that support the Web technologies that companies and consumers rely on worldwide.

Microsoft Communications Sector will identify, recruit, and work with WebsiteSpark Hosting Partners. If you would like to join the program as a Hosting Partner, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark.

All Hosting Partners are also Network Partners, but not all Network Partners are Hosting Partners. Generally, Network Partners provide support to Web Pros in various ways, such as hosting and business services, technical and business advice, networking, mentoring, peer connections, or other resources and services. There are many kinds of Network Partners, and they are not limited to only providing hosting services.

Program qualifications for Hosting Partners are as follows:

• Must be enrolled in the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)
• Must have a Microsoft Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) in place
• Must use self dedicated or virtualized dedicated hosting on Windows
• Must be willing to actively promote a WebsiteSpark offer in the market

Hosting Partners may use their existing SPLA licenses, but must report usage separately through a WebsiteSpark Web reporting page.
Discounted product licensing applies to the following:

• Cannot apply the program benefits to existing business
• Offered only to Web Pros hosting new public Internet domains
• Cannot aggregate WebsiteSpark Web Pro hosting on shared servers
• Must provide each developer or designer with dedicated server instances (physical or virtual)

To join WebsiteSpark, a Hosting Partner should provide following information:

• Name, title, and email address of the company officer who will sign the online agreements on behalf of the company
• Company profile information
  • Home office address
  • Home page URL
  • Primary inbound sales phone number
  • Primary inbound sales email address
  • Company description (2,500 characters or less)
  • Name and email of Primary Contact who will manage your account on the WebsiteSpark portal

To enroll as Hosting Partners in WebsiteSpark, Hosters should:
Ask

• Tell their Microsoft account representative that they want to enroll.
• Provide company profile data and the name and email address of the company officer who will sign the program agreements for them.

Sign

• Sign program agreements online, which include the Service Provider Licensing Agreement, the Product Use Rights Agreement, and the Microsoft WebsiteSpark Program Marketing and Sponsorship Agreement for Hosting Services Providers. Microsoft will provide a link to a Web page for electronic document review and signature.
• Allow Microsoft to connect them to the WebsiteSpark Champ who will be their local point of contact.

Prepare

• Download the Launch Kit and use the templates and logos in the kit to prepare their online WebsiteSpark offer page.
• Work with their designated WebsiteSpark Champ to connect to any program launch events in their area.

Building new business is a key element of the program for Hosting Partners. Hosting Partners can build a sales pipeline on their own by:

• their unique WebsiteSpark offer
• Engaging potential Web Pros and pointing them to the WebsiteSpark Web site when they inquire

Microsoft can also assist in obtaining leads by:

• Funneling Web Pros with no stated Hosting Partner relationship to a participating Hosting Partner; in turn, the Hosting Partner nominates Web Pros to the WebsiteSpark program

Hosting Partners may use their existing SPLA licenses, but must report usage separately through a WebsiteSpark reporting page. Hosting Partners are provided a discount equal to the SPLA costs for those licenses. Also, the following conditions apply:

• Hosting Partners cannot apply the program to existing business.
• Only Web Pros hosting new public Internet domains can receive discounted pricing.
• Hosting Partners cannot aggregate Web Pros onto shared servers.
• Each Web Pro must receive a dedicated server instance (physical or virtual).

To automate the Web Pro nomination process, the following steps are required

• In the WebsiteSpark portal, Hosting Partners can periodically select an option to generate a set of valid WebsiteSpark Web Pros enrollment codes. These are downloaded and then maintained on the Hosting Partners facilities.
• Hosting Partners create an offer page to recruit Web Pros into the WebsiteSpark program. The offer page can include an enrollment button for Web Pros to click after they agree to terms and conditions.
• On clickthrough, the Hosting Partners server side script pulls the next unused enrollment code from the current set. The script then redirects to the WebsiteSpark portal with the enrollment code prepopulated on the signup page.
• When Web Pros sign up with the prepopulated code, WebsiteSpark knows that they were referred by the Hosting Partner and selects the Web Pros default Hosting Partner.
• The Web Pros then show up in a WebsiteSpark generated for Hosting Partners. This is proof that the Web Pros are valid WebsiteSpark members.
• At this point, the Hosting Partner can provide with the Web Pros with a WebsiteSpark hosting offer.

Web Pros who receive a program nomination from a Hosting Partner will automatically select that Hosting Partner.

Web Pros who attempt to enroll in the program without a nomination can use a directory of Hosting Partner to obtain one. When the Web Pro selects a Hosting Partner, the Hosting Partner receives a request for a referral code. If the Hosting Partner uses the referral code, the Hosting Partner stablishes a relationship with the Web Pro.

Some Web Pros may choose to self host, in which case they will have no Hosting Partner assigned.

Small businesses must address widely varying needs when selecting business partners, and hosting services, which are typically inexpensive and readily available, can sometimes be considered standard offerings. Hosting Partners are advised to differentiate their offerings and abilities, as well as to align their offerings to the three pillars of WebsiteSpark: business development, software and tools, and support and training.

Hosting Partners can help potential Web Pros determine their eligibility to the program. WebsiteSpark qualifications are:

• 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 Microsoft Partner Program.) as part of program participation.

Web Pros who are existing hosting customers of a Hosting Partner cannot be enrolled in WebsiteSpark because the program provides incentive to new Web Pros to use the Windows Web platform.

The SPLA is used to license production servers. This allows the Hosting Partner to provision the server before its actual use, and grants the correct usage rights to all parties involved. Hosting Partners report usage on a quarterly basis for SPLA license usage; they also report usage on the WebsiteSpark portal for program usage.

Hosting Partners can offer any services they see as commercially viable WebsiteSpark places no restriction on the offerings. However, the Hosting Partner will only receive discounts on the designated programs hosting software (via SPLA).

This is not a designated benefit of the program. However, free migration could be a differentiating service that the Hoster Partner provides.

Hosters must provide an infrastructure to support the Microsoft Web platform and to capture billing information for reporting WebsiteSpark participation.

The designated account administrator can be updated at any time:

1. Connect to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark and sign in with the current administrators Windows Live ID. ( Note: Please contact WebsiteSpark customer support if the current account administrator is no longer associated with your company.)
2. Select the Go button located under Edit primary contact, which will link you to the Edit Primary Contact page.
3. Click the Generate link button; cut and paste the resulting URL into an email message.
4. Send the message to the new account administrator, instructing that person to click the URL to enroll in WebsiteSpark as the new Primary Contact.

Once the designation process is complete, the new account administrator should:

1. Connect to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark.
2. Sign in with their Windows Live ID to access the Network Partner home page with full administrator rights.
3. Select the option to Edit primary contact and update the contact information.

Product discounts can be provided as long as the Hosting Partner and Web Pro are both enrolled in WebsiteSpark and are in good standing.

Microsoft will inform the Hosting Partner if and when a Web Pro ends participation in the program. However, during and after the program, the terms and pricing of the hosting services are between the Hosting Partner and Web Pros.

If a Hosting Partner ends its participation in the program, Web Pros have the choice to stay with the former Hosting Partner (which will no longer be eligible for discounts on the hosting software) or to end their service agreements with the former Hosting Partner and contract with another Hosting Partner.

Network Partners are active members of the local software ecosystem engaged with small Web development and design service companies. Network Partners support software based Web businesses through hosting or other business services, technical and business advice, networking, mentoring, peer connections, or other resources and services.

By participating in WebsiteSpark, Network 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, Network Partners can extend their reach and grow their business and customer base. They also can contribute to the infrastructure and business environment that support the Web technologies (including Software plus Services solutions) that companies and consumers rely on worldwide.

By participating in WebsiteSpark, Network Partners can:

• Grow their business and 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. Network Partners can become Web Pros valued business partners by sponsoring them for WebsiteSpark and providing business and technical services and guidance to support them.
• Find complementary service providers and other business partners as well as Web Pros and, in turn, their customers through the WebsiteSpark Web business ecosystem.
• Access the knowledge and resources of other participants in the WebsiteSpark Web business ecosystem.
• Get targeted marketing support through a directory that aligns business specialty, geography, and ratings.

The Network Partners surrounding Web Pros, including Hosting Partners, have access to hundreds of service companies and, in turn, gain reach into thousands of their customers. Network Partners grow their business and customer base by building the infrastructure and business environment to support the Web technologies that companies rely on worldwide. Network Partners further benefit from opportunities to drive new business and revenue growth and to have more visibility and impact.

Those interested in becoming a WebsiteSpark Network Partner should visit http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark for more information.

The first time a new Network Partner accesses the WebsiteSpark portal, an agreement is presented, which must be electronically signed.

• In the WebsiteSpark portal, Network Partners can periodically select an option to generate a set of valid WebsiteSpark Web Pros enrollment codes.
• The Network Partners offer page can include an enrollment button for eligible Web Pros to click after they agree to terms and conditions.
• On click through, the Network Partners server side script pulls the next unused enrollment code from the current set.
• The script then redirects to the Microsoft WebsiteSpark portal with the enrollment code prepopulated on the signup page.

There are no costs or fees associated with being a WebsiteSpark Network Partner. Network Partners must agree to program terms and conditions, available on the WebsiteSpark portal.

Network Partners should not charge to sponsor a Web Pro. However, a Network Partner can charge its normal membership fee or business rates for services that a Web Pro requests outside of the Program.

Network Partners have the option of listing their contact information on the WebsiteSpark site so that Web Pros who want to associate with a Network Partner can find them.

To set up your listing, connect to http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark and sign in with your Windows Live ID; then, fill in the description of your company and the services you offer.

Note: All text is subject to Microsoft review and approval prior to posting.

Network Partners with multiple users should manage access by creating one Windows Live ID for everyone to use to log in to the WebsiteSpark portal. For example, the company Contoso, Ltd, could establish example@Contoso.com as a Windows Live ID, and the ID could be used by multiple individuals within the company.