Microsoft’s sweet new program – WebsiteSpark

So, in light of Microsoft’s new “Make Web Not War” campaign and if you find yourself using Microsoft’s Web technologies and are wanting a cost conscience solution in these tough economic times you owe it to yourself to check out this exciting new program.

Microsoft has a new program – WebsiteSpark — A program that offers visibility, support and software for professional Web Developers and Designers wanting/needing to utilize Microsoft’s product offerings (for a small fee of course).

WebsiteSpark is designed for independent web developers and designers as well as for small web development companies that build web applications and web properties on behalf of their clients. It enables you to receive software, as well as support and business resources from Microsoft at absolutely no cost for up to three years, and enables you to expand your business and build great web solutions using Microsoft’s technologies such as ASP.NET, Silverlight, SharePoint, and the various open source applications built on top of them. Hell, you can even use PHP with most of their proprietary tools.

So, you ask – what does this unique program provide?

WebSiteSpark provides software licenses that you can use for up to three years at absolutely no cost.
Once enrolled, you can download and immediately use the following software products from Microsoft:

• (3) licenses of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
• (1) license of Expression Studio 3 (which includes Expression Blend, Sketchflow, and Web)
• (2) licenses of Expression Web 3
• (4) processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 R2
• (4) processor licenses of SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
• DotNetPanel Control Panel (This tool enables the easy remote/hosted management of your Microsoft server software.)

The Windows Server and SQL Server licenses can be used for both development and production deployment. Yes, you read that correctly. You can either self-host the server software on your own hardware, or use the licenses with a hosting provider.
WebsiteSpark makes it easy to find hosting providers who are also enrolled in the program, and who can use your licenses to provide you with either dedicated or virtual dedicated servers to host your sites.

In addition to software, WebsiteSpark provides partnering opportunities to grow and build your business organically (including things like customer referrals through Microsoft’s extensive partner programs network) as well as including product support (two professional support incidents) and free online training for other Microsoft services and products.
So, now you want to know — who exactly can join this here program?

WebSiteSpark is available exclusively to independent web developers, designers and small web development agencies.

So, really the only two requirements to join the program are as follows:

1. Your company builds web sites and web application on behalf of your clients
2. Your company currently has no more than ten count em’ ten employees

If you meet these simply requirements you can visit the WebsiteSpark website and sign-up.

As part of the enrollment process you can pick either a network referral partner (for example: the PHP Group), or enter a referral code that you have received at an event or from a Microsoft employee.  Also, if you send an email to webspark@microsoft.com you can get a referral code quickly…

You then can use that code to enroll in the program on the WebsiteSpark website.
Once enrolled you can immediately download and use the software, as well as begin to participate in the networking and partnering opportunities with other members.
So, now maybe you are a bit worried about — what happens after the initial three years of bliss?
All good things don’t necessarily have to come to an end but, WebsiteSpark is only a three year program. There is no obligation at all to continue to use any of the software after the three years is over, and there are no cost for the three years (other than a $100.00 USD program fee at the end of the three year period.)

At the end of the three years, WebsiteSpark participants can optionally choose to purchase all of the software in the WebsiteSpark program via a $999.00 USD yearly package. That includes three copies of Visual Studio Professional, one copy of Expression Studio (including Blend and Sketchflow), two copies of Expression Web, and four processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 and a four processor licenses of SQL Server Web edition that can be used for both production as well as deployment scenarios.