{"id":7005,"date":"2016-01-16T18:16:42","date_gmt":"2016-01-16T23:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sherweb.com\/blog\/?p=7005"},"modified":"2019-08-06T15:24:20","modified_gmt":"2019-08-06T19:24:20","slug":"tips-for-choosing-a-cloud-partner-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sherweb.com\/blog\/partner\/tips-for-choosing-a-cloud-partner-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Essential Tips for Choosing a Cloud Partner Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve been selling cloud services for a while, you\u2019ve probably noticed that it\u2019s getting harder to make a decent living as an independent. Yes, the demand for cloud services is high, but there\u2019s a lot of other cloud resellers like you who are getting into the game. Recent statistics<\/a> from MSP Alliance show that Managed Service Providers generated revenue of about $154 billion selling cloud services in 2014.<\/p>\n

Faced with these numbers, you\u2019re probably wondering what you can possibly do to stand out from the crowd. What can you offer that will make clients more interested in talking to you instead of the other guy? The answer lies in a good partner program. When you join forces with a trusted cloud service provider, you can be sure you\u2019re giving your clients the best services without sacrificing too much of your own time.<\/p>\n

But how can you decide which program is best for your needs? After all, there are plenty of vendors out there who are offering a multitude of programs with more features than you can possibly imagine. We know it\u2019s a tough call. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together this simple guide that will show you exactly what to look for and what to avoid when you start shopping for the ideal partner program.<\/p>\n

3 important things to look for in a cloud partner program<\/h2>\n

1. Do you recognize their hardware?<\/h3>\n

What does their platform look like? Is it put together with top-of-the-line equipment, or does it look more like some spare parts thrown together with chicken wire? Your clients deserve high speed and performance and you won\u2019t get that without good hardware. You should be able to recognize some of the brands your potential cloud partner is using. Believe it or not, there are many stories about cloud providers who are using seriously out-of-date equipment just to cut costs. For example, does he use enterprise-grade All Flash SSD storage in all his solutions, or just in the more expensive models? If a cloud provider is cutting corners on hardware, it could indicate he\u2019s not that interested in providing good or reliable service.<\/p>\n

2. Can you rely on their technical support?<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s face it. Good technical support plays a big role in cloud hosting. If you or your client need help, you want to be sure you can get it, whether it\u2019s during regular office hours or at 3 a.m. You might be tempted to go with a big company\u2019s partner program because there\u2019s safety in numbers. But remember, dealing with a big company doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll have an easy ride. Have you ever tried calling Microsoft\u2019s partner support department? Although Microsoft offers a great online knowledge base and help site, talking to a real person when you need help can be difficult. Look for a partner program that offers free support 24\/7\/365 by phone, email or chat.<\/p>\n

3. What kind of product training can you expect?<\/h3>\n

Signing the contract with your new partner is only the first step. You have to be sure you can be properly trained to sell their products. Some cloud providers limit their training and workshops to the bigger resellers who have larger sales volumes. You want to look for a partner program where everyone is treated equally. You want to make sure everyone who signs up for the program is eligible for training from specialists who will teach you the ropes about their products and services. Some programs even offer different models to give you as much or as little control over the customer relationships and offers. So, don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions.<\/p>\n

Choosing the right partner program will involve a lot more than the information we\u2019ve presented here. If you need more help in making your decision, you can download our free guide here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Cloud<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve been selling cloud services for a while, you\u2019ve probably noticed that it\u2019s gettin","protected":false},"author":177,"featured_media":7006,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[750],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-partner"],"yoast_head":"\nEssentials tips for choosing a cloud partner program | SherWeb<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you've been selling cloud services, you probably noticed that it's getting harder to make a living. 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