Announcing the WebsiteSpark Program

I’m excited to announce a new program – WebsiteSpark – that Microsoft is launching today.

WebsiteSpark is designed for independent web developers and web development companies that build web applications and web sites on behalf of others.  It enables you to get software, support and business resources from Microsoft at no cost for three years, and enables you to expand your business and build great web solutions using ASP.NET, Silverlight, SharePoint and PHP, and the open source applications built on top of them.

What does the program provide?

WebSiteSpark provides software licenses that you can use for three years at no cost.  Once enrolled, you can download and immediately use the following software 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 (enabling easy remote/hosted management of your servers)

The Windows Server and SQL Server licenses can be used for both development and production deployment.  You can either self-host the servers on your own, or use the licenses with a hoster.  WebsiteSpark makes it easy to find hosters 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 on.

In addition to software, WebsiteSpark provides partner opportunities to grow and build your business (including customer referrals through our partner programs).  It also includes product support (including 2 professional support incidents) and free online training for the products.

Who can join the program?

WebSiteSpark is available to independent web developers and small web development companies.  The only two requirements to join the program are:

  1. Your company builds web sites and web application on behalf of others.
  2. Your company currently has less than 10 employees.

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

As part of the enrollment process you can pick either a network referral partner (for example: a hoster or an existing Microsoft partner), or enter a referral code that you have received at an event or from a Microsoft employee.  If you send mail to webspark@microsoft.com you can get a referral code quickly.  You can then 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 network/partner opportunities.

If you have any problems enrolling, you can also send me mail (scottgu@microsoft.com) and I can connect you with someone who can help. 

What happens after the 3 years?

WebsiteSpark is a 3 year program.  There is no obligation to continue to use any of the software after the three years is over, and there are no costs for the three years other than a $100 program fee at the end of the three years.

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/year package.  This includes 3 copies of VS Professional, 1 copy of Expression Studio (including Blend and Sketchflow), 2 copies of Expression Web, and 4 processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 and 4 processor licenses of SQL Server Web edition that can be used for production deployment.

Alternatively, if you want to purchase only the production server licenses, you can take advantage of a $199/year offering that includes both 1 Windows Web Server processor license and 1 SQL Server Web edition processor license.  You can buy the quantity you need of this package at $199/year each. 

Summary

The WebsiteSpark program joins the other two successful “Spark” programs we’ve previously launched - BizSpark for startups, and DreamSpark for students.

Coming at a time when the current economic climate is still tough, WebsiteSpark will help support developers and companies by providing the business resources, training, and software necessary for companies to get started and grow successful businesses on the Microsoft Web Platform.

Visit www.microsoft.com/web to learn more about the Microsoft Web Platform, as well as download and install the new Microsoft Web Platform Installer V2 we released today – which makes it really easy to quickly provision web servers and web development machines.  You can then browse and download and use open source web applications from the Windows Web Application Gallery.

Hope this helps,

Scott

P.S. In addition to blogging, I have been using Twitter more recently to-do quick posts and share links.  You can follow me on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/scottgu (@scottgu is my twitter name)

83 Comments

  • These are the best times to start a software company. You guys are really doing a great job by providing the resources to folks who can't afford them. Atleast now people will stop saying that Microsoft is Evil.

  • Awesome! Nice initative.. way to go.

  • Scott,

    Great announcement, i can get it for my own team. but my main work place fails coz we have more than 30 employees :(. anyway thanks

  • So..

    1.> form a company
    2.> Write a web site for someone... anyone... My dad perhaps :)
    3.> Apply to MS WebsiteSpark....
    3.> Get cool software...
    4.> Pay $100 3 years later

    Am I missing something?

  • Thanks scott, will try

  • wow Scott
    Great news for the startups
    Vamos Microsoft.

  • @Rory Becker One thing that you do miss: You lose the right to use the software after 3 years and have to buy it/subscribe to it.

  • Nice work MS. This is really good news for us.

  • <<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
    Why not VS 2010?

  • This is great. Will is cover software upgrades i.e. VS 2010 when available?

    Thanks,

  • If I'm a startup, why I should choose WebsitePark instead of Bizspark ?
    Websitespark seems more limited than Bizpark, for example Bizspark offer Visual Studio Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN.
    Can we have both ? Does Bizspark is dead ?

  • @Keeno,

    >>>>>>> This is great. Will is cover software upgrades i.e. VS 2010 when available?

    Yes - while you are in the program you can always download the latest version of any of the software. So once VS 2010 is released you can download that as well.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • @Elangovan,

    >>>>>> Why not VS 2010?

    VS 2010 is still in beta and hasn't been released yet. Once it is release, though, people in the program can download and use it too. Throughout the three years in the program you can always use the latest version of all the software.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • Great idea for established companies, how about small IT shops just starting out? Can they get involved in this?

  • @Nico,

    >>>>>>>> If I'm a startup, why I should choose WebsitePark instead of Bizspark ? Websitespark seems more limited than Bizpark, for example Bizspark offer Visual Studio Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN. Can we have both ? Does Bizspark is dead ?

    If you are a startup then BizSpark is the right "Spark" program for you. WebsiteSpark is a new spark program that is intended for web developers/designers and web professionals.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • How can individual developers register for this program? Individual developers don't have companies and the restrictions cannot be met. Isn't it?

  • @Prakash,

    >>>>>>> How can individual developers register for this program? Individual developers don't have companies and the restrictions cannot be met. Isn't it?

    Individual developers who do web development for others can also register. You don't need to be an incorporated company to enter the program.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • grt news for new start up's This should motivate many in the current economic condition....

  • This sounds very good, but need to realize that SQL Server "Web" cannot be used for business apps, only public facing apps :

    "SQL Server 2008 Web may be used only to support public and Internet accessible

    * Web pages
    * Web sites
    * Web applications
    * Web services
    It may not be used to support line of business applications (e.g., Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Management and other similar applications) "

  • Talk about timing, a friend and I are just got our first small website job and we where scrapping together the cash for vs 2008 and expression studio. This is going to be the best help we could of asked for.

    cheers

    Johnny

  • Good news!
    Lot of products are free for open source usage (for example jira ...)
    What about open source usage?

  • This is pretty cool!

  • What will happen if I use for few month and then go to some other OS (Can I cancel the my request after few months?)

  • What is the difference between BizSpark and Innovate On Program?

  • Your blog is like an encyclopedia for those who want to know more about this. Thanks for the interesting information.

  • Scott, I've MSDN professional subscription. Should I join this program to replace my MSDN or should I join to complement my MSDN? Is it even worth replacing MSDN?

    Thanks!
    ..Ben

  • Great! it it available for Chinese users?

  • Great Program!!! Congratulations!

  • Finally! I've been waiting for this one! Now my freelance work can finally be properly equipped!

  • Scott, how about a yearly subscription option that just includes the development software (3 copies of VS Professional, 1 copy of Expression Studio (including Blend and Sketchflow), 2 copies of Expression Web) after the 3 years are up? Since there are plenty of hosting companies that offer .Net hosting with SQL server support, most developers would use those plans and after the 3 year would be more interested in keeping the licenses to the development software. With the cost of virtual servers / dedicated hosting most small companies would not be able to take advantage of that until they had built up a pretty good customer base or go a big enough contract to justify the cost.

  • This is perfect for those of us wanting to get more involved with Microsoft-based technologies for websites and web development. Found out about this program just this morning and I'm already registered and downloading the software; can't wait to get started.

  • ScottGu, it makes me feel that Microsoft has turned a corner of "helping US", not only in the solidifcation of the software being produced from .Net, IIS and ASP to IE, Windows 7, and Office. The commitment to our community is reaching out to all those with dreams of starting a biz on the web. This is so excellent! I learned of the BizSpark program through DevLink last month and attended a KickStartz meeting in Nashville, Tennessee at the Microsoft office. That and what I knew already from INETA about DreamSpark makes this a thorough program which will liven up the place and help turn many corners for us.

  • LOVE MS!

    THANKS!

  • Scott,

    Thanks for announcing the great program and making it happen! We're excited to part of the websitespark program as a hosting partner and looking forward helping more developers enroll in the program and deploy on the Windows Web Platform. If any developers have questions about the program or want to know more about it, our experts are standing by to help.

    Jess

  • Great news! Only benefits small contracotrs?

  • what a great way to help the little guy I LOVE Microsoft
    Great job

  • I hope you can partner with some web hosting companies to offer shared WebsiteSpark hosting at competitive prices. Most small webdev shops don't want to run their own servers, and shared hosting costs for ASP.NET + SQL Server hosting still have a ways to go to be competitive. There are some low priced ASP.NET hosting options, but usually without any appreciable SQL Server space or bandwidth allowance.

  • @topce,

    >>>>>>> Good news! Lot of products are free for open source usage (for example jira ...) What about open source usage?

    You can definitely use all of the software provided with WebsiteSpark for open source, and run open source applications on top of it.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • @Jeyakrishnan,

    >>>>>>> What will happen if I use for few month and then go to some other OS (Can I cancel the my request after few months?)

    There are no obligations to continue using the software. So you can stop using it at anytime if you'd like.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • @Shankar,

    >>>>>>> What is the difference between BizSpark and Innovate On Program?

    BizSpark is aimed at startups and the program requires you to be a startup with less than 3 years existence to enter it. WebsiteSpark is aimed at web professionals and only requires that you build web-sites on behalf of others and have less than 10 employees.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • Great news, especially for people like me who want to get involved in certain Microsoft products but rarely get that chance at work, can now get started. Can't wait to register and start downloading :)

  • @Ben,

    >>>>>>>> Scott, I've MSDN professional subscription. Should I join this program to replace my MSDN or should I join to complement my MSDN? Is it even worth replacing MSDN?

    I'd recommend keeping your MSDN subscription. You could potentially join this program to complement your MSDN subscriptions if you'd like though (in particular with production server licenses)

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • @Webdiver,

    >>>>>>> Great! it it available for Chinese users?

    Yes - it is available to Chinese users. The Web Platform Installer V2 that we just realized today is also localized in Chinese.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • @smehaffie,

    >>>>>>>> Scott, how about a yearly subscription option that just includes the development software (3 copies of VS Professional, 1 copy of Expression Studio (including Blend and Sketchflow), 2 copies of Expression Web) after the 3 years are up? Since there are plenty of hosting companies that offer .Net hosting with SQL server support, most developers would use those plans and after the 3 year would be more interested in keeping the licenses to the development software. With the cost of virtual servers / dedicated hosting most small companies would not be able to take advantage of that until they had built up a pretty good customer base or go a big enough contract to justify the cost.

    We are going to look to refine the exit offers some more (the good news is that we have 3 years before people buy them!). That is an option we've considered (a tools only package), but we were worried that too many options might confuse people to start with.

    Note that the big advantage of the production server licenses is that you don't need to buy them from a hoster - which gives you a nice discount. This means that Windows server based dedicated/virtual hosting can not be the same price as Linux equivalents.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • @Jon Galloway,

    >>>>>>>> I hope you can partner with some web hosting companies to offer shared WebsiteSpark hosting at competitive prices. Most small webdev shops don't want to run their own servers, and shared hosting costs for ASP.NET + SQL Server hosting still have a ways to go to be competitive. There are some low priced ASP.NET hosting options, but usually without any appreciable SQL Server space or bandwidth allowance.

    The nice thing about WebsiteSpark is that you can take your production licenses and use them in a hosted environment. This means that dedicated/virtual hosting for Windows/SQL will now be the same in price as Linux/MySql.

    Separately we are going to be working to provide compelling shared hosting offers as well that will hopefully make the prices equivalent there as well.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • Hi Scott,

    Hidden cost ? At the last page or the WEBSITESPARK PROGRAM guide ( pdf) says For Self Hosting(3) I would need to enroll into SPLA Essentials.
    So is Websitespark for free for developer + self hoster ? Or do I need to pay additional SPLA Essentials fee ( unclear license with respect to Websitespark) per month.
    Thanks if you can clear this up.

    Ang

  • It would be nice to be able to see the legal agreement without signing in.

    I would definitely prefer to pay the $100 fee up-front, and have no further financial obligations unless I choose to renew at the end of the period.

    I don't want to find myself with a bill for $999 because I failed to send in the cancellation fee.

  • @AndrewSteven,

    >>>>>>>> It would be nice to be able to see the legal agreement without signing in. I would definitely prefer to pay the $100 fee up-front, and have no further financial obligations unless I choose to renew at the end of the period. I don't want to find myself with a bill for $999 because I failed to send in the cancellation fee.

    The first registration step is to sign-in with a LiveId - but that does not bind you to anything. The next step is the legal license that you can read and accept before going any further (you can also download PDF versions of it if you want to save it). At no time do you actually have to provide either a credit card or billing information.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • Scott,

    This is excellent news and will the community will greatly benefit from this and all the *Spark programs. However, I'm interested on your thoughts about how Azure might fit into the *Spark programs and if there has been any talk about that. It just seems like a natural progression since conversations, developer tools, and platforms are being more cloud-centric.

    Thanks in advance,

    Ryan

  • Hi Scott,

    Great news and a good way to capture customers that might have gone with OpenSource products.

    I didn't catch the release date for VS2010 Beta 2, can you say anything at all? Will Beta 2 have a go live license?

    (It doesn't hurt to try - now does it?)

  • This is another excellent program. Just signed up and waiting for approval

  • So if I were to start a site like Stack Overflow, would I use BizSpark or WebsiteSpark? From my reading I would use BizSpark, but the messaging is a bit unclear. Each program has distinct advantages that would apply.

  • I saw a comment earlier about VSTS but it was not answered whether or not that would be included. This sounds great! I applaud Microsoft for these programs. You guys are really doing great bringing in a broad base to development.

  • Looks to be a great compliment to the BizSpark program, but I can see one thing that might make it even better (shades of a Snapple ad) ... actually, make that two things; one for each program. Having come this far, these would seem to be the next logical step.

    For BizSpark, add (at least) one complimentary (full) registration to those PDCs which occur during the three-year life of the BizSpark membership.

    For WebsiteSpark, something similar: add (at least) one complimentary (full) registration to those MIX conferences which occur during the three-year life of the WebsiteSpark membership.

    In both cases, allow for additional registrations to be purchased at a substantial discount (if not also complimentary.)

    Either conference is a marvelous chance for the microbusiness owner (consultant? president?) to swim in an intelligence-rich pool of knowledge and experience that (s)he might otherwise have to forgo because of the costs (when you're paying the rent/utilities/salaries/licenses, trying to stretch a budget to cover education and conferences might prove to be the last straw.)

    It is unlikely that the benefits would be one-sided, as the small businesses and individuals in these programs are going to have a fresh point-of-view, and have an enthusiasm for competitive problem-solving that does not always survive work environments that HAVE to stress maintenance and more targeted development requirements in order to get their budgets balanced and approved. Exchanging ideas and viewpoints can be as a transfusion of new blood to both parties ... not to mention the few on the fringes, hurriedly scrawling notes as they watch.


  • Sent off my email for the referral code request at 8:54 am. Just got my referral code at 12:54 pm.

    Words cannot the describe the level of awesome this program attains.

    Thanks Scott! Thanks MS!

  • i m developer do i register but i donot have the company

  • $999/year package

    That sounds like a sweet spot right there!

  • Scott, I cannot find any hosts that are offering a discount with their Windows plans for this program. Could you list those hosts? Thanks.

  • Thanks Scott. You are winning developer's hearts and minds with Spark programs and the recent additions to ASP and other .NET technologies. To echo the sentiment of one of the posters above, discounted access to PDC would be a great addition to the program.

  • This is a great program; I just signed up, and I can't wait to get fully into it!!! Woo hoo!!!

  • Nice, can the next version include a healthcare plan for small businesses :)

  • Thanks for supporting creative minds and innovation!

  • What great news. It must be popular already as I just got word that due to high demand I will be receiving my referral code within 3 days time.

    Exciting times ahead.

    Cheers

  • Great program! One question though, is it available to developers with personal websites i.e. someone who owns sites such as blogs, forums etc.

  • I've got my referral code from WebsiteSpark team, but I can't figure out how to register with the referral code? The signup just prompts me for a network contact? :/

  • For this program and BizSpark, you say you bill $100 three years after the fact. Who is liable for this payment? What if the company is dissolved before the payment date?

  • Very very exciting. But it would be nice if Microsoft could better explain the limitations of Sql Server 2008 Web. I think that

    "It may not be used to support line of business applications (e.g., Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Management and other similar applications)" is a bit vaque.

    I think it would be very helpful for them to list more "similar applications". You can use it for web applications and services but NOT a business application? So this is targetted at small businesses that don't build business apps or don't really need the applications they're developing?

  • Is this program for indepent developers or only for companies?
    I didn't find a link for developers enrollment.

  • Thanks, Great Work

  • Cool

  • It is really good step for the new companies. Thanks Microsoft

  • LOL Wow Microsoft is reading my mind! The last few days I've been investigating moving my small business to open source technology in order to save costs. It seems like this program was custom-made for my needs! I'm really looking forward to participating!

    Thanks Scott, glad to see you looking after all of us lured by the siren-call of Ruby on Rails and LAMP. :)

  • So I noticed that last night "Windows Web Server 2008" got added to the available downloads for my Spark account.... but clicking the "Keys" link to generated a license key results in: http://i36.tinypic.com/2qcmn2g.jpg

  • Thanks for your post

  • Wow thats fantastic! Jumping on board. I must say Microsoft seem to be making it easier and easier to get involved with .net; firs the Express Studio of products and now this. I am very impressed.

  • Great job
    its a great way to help the upcoming companies especially in India....

  • I would love to see Microsoft offer some free hosting as well

  • So at the end of 3 years, if we decide to not use the product any further, do we still owe the $100? Or is that only if you decide to continue with the program?

  • Scott,

    I am a developer hired by a company on a permanent contract developing websites for clients. Would I be eligible for the WebsiteSpark programme or do I have to be the actual owner of the company?

    Thanks

  • Just got our company approved in the program and the first server is up and running and now I have 400 hours or work creating a CRM system in ASP.NET MVC with jquery and a plugin for outlook to grab mails and store inside the correct customercard. Awesome to get this from Microsoft, my dreamproject is launching thanks to you guys!

  • We were using express editions so far and program is definitely going to help us develop our next big website based on silverlight.

    Thank you so much Microsoft and Scott

  • I like the idea but I too would prefer to just pay upfront like I do with technet. I'll probably just buy VS standard again since that's all I really need.

  • FYI to others. We just went through the process of getting our app submitted and was rejected. There is a mis-interpretation of what "Websitespark" is in terms of the applications allowed to be submitted.

    From the MS evaluation. "While your application is simple to install, it is not an application that can be used to create a customer Web Site"

    Just thought ppl should know.

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