Tips on Marketing Yourself as a Developer for Microsoft FrontPage

Published: April 2002

Do you consider yourself a great Web developer or designer?  Is Web development or design your profession?  Would you like to reach more customers?  If you answered yes to all of these questions, then maybe you should consider the Web Presence Developer Program for Microsoft® FrontPage®.

What is a Web Presence Developer Program?

The Web Presence Developer Program is a program that helps connect people who are in need of a Web site or development services with professional developers and/or designers.  Web Presence Developers (WPDs) offer development or design services for FrontPage-based Web sites that range from complete Web site creation, graphic design, streaming media, database development, e-commerce, etc.  In order to be a part of the Web Presence Developer Program, Web professionals must become a registered Web Presence Developer for Microsoft FrontPage.  

Why become a Web Presence Developer for Microsoft FrontPage?

Becoming a qualified Web Presence Developer (WPD) for Microsoft FrontPage is an excellent way to connect with thousands of Microsoft Office and FrontPage customers and offer them value-add services in areas where they need assistance. Reaching potentially thousands of customers, you can use your membership in the Program to help market your company’s Web development business.

If you are a Web professional that successfully completes the WPD registration process and are approved you will: 

·        Be included in the FrontPage WPD referral list at:
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/wpd.htm 

·        Receive timely information regarding the Web Presence Developer for FrontPage program and other special offers.

·        Receive press release guidelines to announce your support for FrontPage-based Webs. 

What’s Required to Become a WPD

Your business must provide Web development services for FrontPage-based Webs and you need to complete the Program Application and Registration Process.  To be a registered Web Presence Developer for FrontPage, you’ll need to: 

·        Complete the online WPD Program Application that includes 3 referrals from people/businesses for whom you have created Web sites using FrontPage.

·        Create and maintain a Portfolio page (see required guidelines at http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/wpd.htm ) with links to at least 3 Web sites that you have created using FrontPage.

·        Upon acceptance into the WPD Program, sign a Web Presence Developer (WPD) for Microsoft FrontPage Program Agreement.  

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Being a WPD

To get the most out of being a registered WPD for Microsoft FrontPage, there are several things you can do, but the most important one is to create a killer Portfolio page.

With the FrontPage WPD referral listings page being a heavily-trafficked Microsoft Web page visited by many FrontPage customers looking for assistance in developing their Web site, you have the opportunity to show off your best FrontPage Web site projects in your Portfolio linked from your company profile on the referral listings page. 

The Portfolio page is the first information about your company a potential customer sees when browsing to your site from your listing on the FrontPage referral site. When creating your portfolio page, the following are required elements your portfolio must have:

·        Detailed description of the development services you offer for FrontPage. It cannot be the same as your home page.

·        URLS of web sites you have developed with FrontPage.

·        Contact information for your company.

·        A link to your home page.

·        The Portfolio page should not be "orphaned"-you need to include a link to your Portfolio page from the home page or main Web services page.

Portfolio Page Tips

It goes without saying that you’ll want to create links to your most successful FrontPage-based Web site development projects, but go the extra mile to make your Portfolio page as professional and visually interesting as possible. These tips can help-

·        You are required to provide at least 3 links to Web sites you have developed, but more is definitely better. Just be careful not to overdo it- pick the cream of the crop and avoid linking to dozens of sites.

·        Include screen captures of the sites you are showcasing and linking to.

·        Select sites you have developed that spotlight your special areas of Web development expertise, but also try to make your Portfolio page provide as wide a range of design or site solutions as you can.

·        Provide brief descriptions of how each of your sites met the client’s needs.

·        Include quotes and short testimonials from satisfied customers.

·        Update the Portfolio page with new projects and remove older ones to keep the content fresh.

Other Tips

Increasingly, customers are turning to Web development resources who can demonstrate their experience and professionalism. Being a member of the WPD Program for Microsoft FrontPage can be leveraged throughout your marketing efforts as follows-

·        Include "Registered Web Presence Developer for Microsoft® FrontPage® " and the WPD logo not just on your Web site, but on all your Web development marketing materials.

·        From time to time, check your company information on the WPD referral listings Microsoft Web site to make sure it is current.

·        Use the WPD referral listings database to see what services and Web development projects your fellow WPDs are involved in at: http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/wpd.htm  

·        Periodically, check the WPD referral listings Microsoft Web site for changes or updates to the Program.

Summary

Becoming a qualified WPD for Microsoft FrontPage is an excellent way to connect with thousands of customers and provide them with FrontPage-based Web development services in areas where they need assistance. You can also use your membership in the Program to help market and successfully grow your company’s Web development business.

More Information

http://www.microsoft.com/Frontpage/  for information and resources on Microsoft FrontPage version 2002.

http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/wpdapp.htm for more information on the Web Presence Developer Program for Microsoft® FrontPage®.

This article is for informational purposes only.  MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT.

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