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 companys Primary Contact
can select a Hosting Partner and request a code by using the
Find a Hosting Partner tool on the WebsiteSpark Web site.
- Once connected to
http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark, the
Primary Contact should click on Find a Hosting Partner.
- Next, the Primary Contact applies desired filters:
- Filter by Hosting Partners that support only
the companys country/region
- Broaden the search to include Hosting
Partners that support the companys
country/region and others
- 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.
- If desired, the Primary Contact can refine the list
by filtering state/province for the selected
country/region.
- The system sends notification about the companys
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Next, the Primary Contact enters information about
the company and the individual completing the enrollment
application.
- 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.
- Once the enrollment process is complete and the
company is approved, the companys 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.