Microsoft Launches WebsiteSpark, Helps Small Businesses and Individuals Afford its Programs

Microsoft has launched WebsiteSpark, which gives small businesses and individuals that build web applications or design websites for others access to a multitude of otherwise expensive software for free for three years. WebsiteSpark includes:

• 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;
• and DotNetPanel control panel (enabling easy remote/hosted management of your servers).

WebsiteSpark also gives participants the chance to get customer referrals through its partner program and includes product support and free online training.

The only requirement to join is to be either an independent web developer or web designer or a small company with less than ten employees doing the same.

After three years, the only cost that must be incurred is a $100 program fee. Participants are also given the option to purchase all of the software included in the program for $999 per year or to purchase one Windows Web Server processor license and one SQL Server Web edition processor license for $199 per year.