A Look into Microsoft’s WebsiteSpark Program
Microsoft recently launched its WebsiteSpark Program. This is said to have been developed to help web professionals through access to licenses for design and development as well as server production along with free support and training.
The new program works in the same way as the previous ‘Spark’ business development schemes such as DreamSpark and BizSpark which offered tools to college students and startup companies, respectively. It provides web designers and developers with practically everything that they could possibly need to create and operate applications and websites on the Windows platform.
Based on the following that the previous ‘Spark’ programs have attracted, the software company is expecting up to 25,000 web companies signing up for WebsiteSpark. To date, over 5,000 companies have already reportedly joined the program.
Microsoft emphasized that the program will not only benefit web developers but hosting providers as well. For starters, they will be provided with increased potential for attracting more clients. This is because Microsoft will also offer them a venue where they can promote their services and solutions through the company’s marketing campaigns in the form of a portal that is set to be launched later in the year.
Within a week after launching WebsiteSpark, 80 hosting providers from over 30 countries all over the world. Have responded and signed up as hosting partners. These included NaviSite, MaximumASP, Applied Innovations and NetBenefit.
The program was developed around sponsor-based strategies that cover three basic relationships: the connections with champs who act as middlemen between the software provider and network partners and those that offer support to these network partners.
Participation in the program does not require upfront payments but hosting partners will need to come with their own infrastructure, software and equipment in order to support the new managed hosting environment.
