**Note:** To complete this tutorial, you need a Microsoft Azure account. If you don't have an account, you can `activate your MSDN subscriber benefits`_ or `sign up for a free trial`_.
.._`activate your MSDN subscriber benefits`: http://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/member-offers/msdn-benefits-details/?WT.mc_id=A261C142F
.._`sign up for a free trial`: http://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/free-trial/?WT.mc_id=A261C142F
Start by either creating a new ASP.NET web app or opening an existing ASP.NET web app.
1. In **Solution Explorer** of Visual Studio, right-click on the project and select **Publish**.
4. Enter a site name and region. You can optionally create a new database server, however if you've created a database server in the past, use that. When you're ready to continue, click **Create**.
Database servers are a precious resource. For test and development it's best to use an existing server. There is **no** validation on the database password, so if you enter an incorrect value, you won't get an error until your web app attempts to access the database.
5. On the **Connection** tab of the **Publish Web** dialog box, click **Publish**.
