97% of all consumers search online to find local business.
88% of consumer local business searches on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours.
72% of consumers, who search for local businesses, end up visiting stores within five miles.
46% of all searches on Google are seeking local information.
Can your business afford NOT to be found online?

Now you don’t have to let large upfront fees stop you having a business grade website.

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Affordable, Manageable, Scaleable!.

Pay Monthly – No Contract – No Hidden Fees.

Smart, Affordable Web Solutions for Start-ups and SME’s

We provide Business Grade Websites that won’t break the bank.

With just a small setup fee, you can spread the cost over two years with manageable monthly subscriptions that you can budget for.

For more information visit us on Facebook

You are a fledgling business and you must prioritise your spending, so you are looking for the best deal to get you online at the lowest possible price. So, you run a Google Search for ‘Cheap Website Design’ and the results can be confusing.

You may find some website design services advertised from as little as €99, whereas others will start at €1,500. You may even find people offering to build your site for FREE.

Be advised!

Cheap website designers are cheap for a reason!

The internet is flooded with ‘Have A Go’ website designers; people with possibly limited skills and/or experience who may have just learned WordPress, or similar content management system, and now think that they are qualified as web designers. They may also be looking to use you as a guinea pig to develop their skills and portfolio.

There may be some genuine developers who are just starting out and are under-pricing themselves. How long will they stay in business, or how long can they keep their prices so low?

Alternatively, some website design services bait you with cheap website prices and lure you into a contract that ties you to ever increasing charges; the €99 fee only applicable in year one. Second and subsequent years can cost substantially more.

Then there are probably the added charges for

Software Updates
Site Back-ups
Extra Pages
Content Updates
Extra Functionality
And more…

As a general guideline use the ‘You Get What You Pay For’ rule of thumb.

Decide what it is exactly that you want from your website.

Your website is an investment. It is, or should be, a vehicle for your business, much like a car.

Using this analogy, imagine you needed to buy a car.

Cheap Car

You could search the internet and buy a cheap car online. The pictures may look great, but the car may not perform as expected and once you get it home the problems really begin to surface. You might be OK with that as you just need a run-around, however, what if you needed more? In the end, it will cost you money and you have little or no recourse.

If you are looking for a car that is reliable, performs well and looks well then you would probably go to a reputable garage. It may cost you a little more upfront, but you have the assurance that the car will perform as expected, and if not, the warranty insures that the garage will sort out any problems.

Now imagine that you need a high-performance car; one that is fit for extensive use and at the same time will boost the image and brand of your business, and so (excuse the pun) drive sales, then you would, in most likelihood, go to a dealership and be prepared to pay considerably more.

Cheap Website Design WILL cost you more.
It is the same with your website.

Do you want cheap and cheerful?; a site that just sits there but doesn’t really do a whole lot for your business except incur annual renewal fees (costing your business money), or do you want a high-performance website, one that will increase leads, drive sales and drive your business?

When you go with a cheap website design service, you take on all the risks, uncertainties, headaches and frustrations associated.

A cheap website, more often than not, is a LIABILITY to your business.

A well designed and optimised site should be an ASSET!

I understand that you want to save money, but just make sure that you don’t lose out in the long run. You can pay a fair price and get a great site or you can pay a cheap price and get something that you can’t rely on, might become a nightmare and WILL cost you more in the long run.

If you only have a small budget to spend, ask if there is a solution that can be created to meet your needs or a payment plan available so that you can get a better site.

At Pay As You Go Websites we build on the WordPress content management system (CMS) meaning that should you wish to upgrade your site, add functionality or do a complete revamp, you don’t have to start from scratch every time.

We have nearly 20 years web design experience with a strong focus on providing solutions to the needs of fledgling businesses.

We offer affordable payment plans tailored to suit your budget.

Should you require higher performance from your website please email us at [email protected] and we will be delighted to see how we can help your business grow.

This month the purchase of .IE domains becomes much easier. The need to show a ‘claim to a .ie domain name’ will be removed in March 2018.

Up until now owning a .IE domain was seen as a badge of confidence, as to purchase one the buyer had to prove that they had a legitimate claim to the name they were registering, either as a real name, business, project or other. In addition, owners had to demonstrate Irish residency.

From March you no longer need to prove your claim to a domain name. This is supposedly to make it easier for Start-up businesses to register a domain name before commencing trading.

All well and good, however there is a potential downside.

With no requirement to prove a legitimate claim to the name, anyone could potentially ‘Hijack’ your brand!
Someone else could potentially register YOUR business brand in their name.

Are you willing to take that risk?

Register your domain NOW.
I recommend using either LetsHost.ie or Blacknight.com.

Donegal Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 074 9160735 / Lo Call: 1890 607000
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: Enterprise Fund Business Centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal F92 HP64
Opening Hours:Mon – Thurs: 9:00 – 5:00, Fri: 9:00 – 3:00
Closed: Lunch: 1:00 – 2:00, Saturday-Sunday

Kerry Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 066 7183522
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 066 7126712
Address: Kerry Local Enterprise Office, County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: Saturday-Sunday

Laois Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 057 866 1800
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 057 866 6989
Address: Portlaoise Enterprise Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. R32 D611
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: For lunch 13:00 – 14:00, Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Leitrim Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 071 9650420
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: Local Enterprise Office, Áras an Chontae, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: for lunch 13.00-14.00, Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Carlow

Phone: (059) 91 29783
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: Enterprise House, O’Brien Road, Carlow.
Opening Hours:Monday-Friday: 9 am – 5 pm
Closed: Lunch 1 pm -2 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays

Local Enterprise Office Cavan

Phone: 049-4377200
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre, Dublin Road, Cavan, County Cavan
Opening Hours:Mon-Thurs: 9:15 – 5:15, Friday: 9.15 – 5.00
Closed:Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Clare

Phone: 065 6821616
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 065 6892071
Address: Local Enterprise Office Clare, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 DXP2
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00
Closed: Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Cork North & West

West Cork Office

Phone: 023 8834700
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: 8 Kent Street, Clonakilty, Co Cork P85 PH39
Opening Hours: Mon-Friday: 9am-5pm
Closed Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

North Cork Office

Phone: 022 43235
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: Ground Floor, Blackwater House, Mallow Business Park, Gouldshill, Mallow, Co Cork P51 K3CX
Opening Hours: Mon-Friday: 9am-5pm
Closed Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Dublin

Local Enterprise Office Dublin City

Phone: 01 222 5611
Email: [email protected]
Address: Civic Offices, Block 4, Floor 1, Dublin 8
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: for lunch from 13:00 – 14:00 / Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Dublin South Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 01 4149000
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 01 4517477
Address:County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
Closed: Saturday-Sunday

Local Enterprise Office Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Phone: (01) 204 7083
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address:County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Opening Hours:Mon-Thu: 9:00 – 17:00, Friday: 9:00 – 16:30
Closed: Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Fingal

Phone: 01 8900 800
Email: [email protected]
Fax
Address:First Floor, County Hall,Main Street,Swords,Co. Dublin K67 X8Y2
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 09:00 – 17:00
Closed:Lunch: 13:00 – 14:00. Weekends & Bank Holidays

Local Enterprise Office Galway

Phone: 091 509090
Email:[email protected]
Fax:
Address:First Floor, County Buildings, Prospect Hill, Galway, Ireland, H91 H6KX
Opening Hours:Monday -Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Closed: Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Kildare

Phone: 045 980838
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address:Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 X77F
Opening Hours:Mon-Friday: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: Saturday-Sunday

Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny

Phone: (056) 7752662
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (056) 7751649
Address:42 Parliament Street, Kilkenny City. R95 TY2N
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: for Lunch from: 13.00 -14.00, Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Louth

Phone: 1890 202 303
Email:[email protected]
Fax: +353 42 932 7101
Address:Town Hall, Crowe St, Dundalk,Co. Louth,Ireland
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: Sat & Sun

Local Enterprise Office Mayo

Phone: 094 904 7555
Email: [email protected]
Address:Cedar House, 2nd Floor,Moneen, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.F23 WP71
Opening Hours:Mon-Thurs: 9am – 5:30pm. Friday: 9am – 5pm
Closed: Saturday-Sunday

Local Enterprise Office Monaghan

Phone: 047 71818
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 047 84786
Address:Local Enterprise Office Monaghan,
Unit 9, M:TEK Building, Knockaconny, Monaghan
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed:Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Offaly

Phone: 057 9357480
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 057 9346868
Address: Offaly County Council Aras an Chontae Charleville Road Tullamore Co. Offaly, R35 F893
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: for lunch from 13:00 – 13.30. Public Holidays, Saturday & Sunday:

Outreach Services:

Birr Library: Thursday 9am-1pm
Edenderry Town Hall: Tuesday 2pm-5pm
Banagher Library: Second Thursday of the month 2pm-5pm

Local Enterprise Office Roscommon

Phone: 090 6626263/37100
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address:LEO Roscommon, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Co. Roscommon, F42 VR98
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed: For lunch from 13:00 – 14:00, Bank Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays.

Local Enterprise Office Sligo

Phone: 071 914 4779
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address:City Hall Quay Street Sligo
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00 Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Closed:

Local Enterprise Office South Cork

Phone: 021 4975281
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 021 4975287
Address:The Business Growth Hub, Cork County Council, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 A243
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Closed:

Local Enterprise Office Westmeath

Phone: 044 9338945
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address:Áras an Chontae,Mount Street, Mullingar,Co. Westmeath
Opening Hours:Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
Closed:Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Local Enterprise Office Wexford

Phone: 053 919 6020
Email: [email protected]
Address:Wexford County Council,Carricklawn,Wexford.
Opening Hours:Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Closed:Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays

Local Enterprise Office Wicklow

Phone: 0404 30800
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address: Wicklow County Campus, Clermont House, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow. A67X566
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm
Closed:

Local Enterprise Office, Cork City

Phone: 021 4961828
Email: [email protected]
Address:Cork City Council, City Hall,Cork
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed:Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Longford Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 043 3343346
Email: [email protected]
Fax:
Address:Longford County Council, Great Water Street, Longford
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 5:00
Closed:Public Holidays, Saturdays & Sundays

Limerick Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 061 557499
Email: [email protected]
Address: Local Enterprise Office, 7/8 Patrick Street, Limerick
Opening Hours: Mon -Fri 9am-4pm – Open through lunch
Closed Public Holidays, Weekends

Meath Local Enterprise Office

Phone: 046 9097000
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 046 9027356
Address:Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath, C15 Y291
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Tipperary Local Enterprise Office

Clonmel Office

Phone: 052 612 9466
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 052 6187079
Address:Ballingarrane House, Cahir Road,Clonmel,Co. Tipperary
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Nenagh Office

Phone: 0761 06 5000
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 067 33134
Address:Civic Offices, Limerick road, Nenagh,Co. Tipperary
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Waterford Local Enterprise Office

Local Enterprise Office Waterford City

Phone: 0761 10 2905
Email: [email protected]
Fax
Address:35 The Mall,Waterford X91DN23
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 17:00
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Local Enterprise Office Dungarvan

Phone: 0761 10 2905
Email:[email protected]
Fax:
Address:Civic Offices,Dungarvan,Co. Waterford X35Y326
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri: 9:30 – 17:00
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme encourages people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. If you take part in the BTWEA scheme you can keep a percentage of your social welfare payment for up to 2 years. BTWEA is a payment made by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to people aged under 66.

There is also a separate Back to Work Scheme called the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance, which supports people on Jobseeker’s Benefit to start their own business.

Rules

You can qualify for a Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) if you are:

• Setting up as self-employed in a business that has been approved in advance in writing by a DSP Case Officer or Local Development Company (LDC) (see ‘How to apply’ below)

and

• Getting one of the qualifying payments listed below for at least 9 months (234 days)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA)
• Jobseeker’s Benefit (with an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance – see ‘Jobseeker’s Benefit and underlying entitlement to JA’ below)*
• Jobseeker’s Transitional payment (JST)
• One-Parent Family Payment (OFP)
• Blind Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance (having stopped caring duties)
• Deserted Wife’s Benefit/Allowance
• Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance
• Farm Assist
• Invalidity Pension
• Incapacity Supplement
• Widow’s/Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension

or

• Qualifying from Illness Benefit: 3 out of last 5 years in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment

or

• Combination of OFP/JST/JA for 9 months (234 days)
• Jobseeker’s Benefit and underlying entitlement to JA

If you are on Jobseeker’s Benefit, you need to have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance in order to qualify for BTWEA. Having an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance means that you would pass the means test and other criteria for Jobseeker’s Allowance. Signing on for unemployment credits following your Jobseeker’s Benefit does not count towards the qualifying period for BTWEA.

Other ways of qualifying for BTWEA

You may also be considered for the BTWEA if you are a qualified adult of a person who is already getting the BTWEA.

You may qualify if the person who is getting the BTWEA stops their self-employment before exhausting their entitlement due to certain circumstances. Valid circumstances would include a long-term illness or injury which prevents the original claimant from working, or the illness of an immediate family member which requires them to become a full-time carer. If you are the qualified adult of a BTWEA claimant who stops their self-employment to take up other employment, this is not a valid circumstance to qualify you for BTWEA.

If you qualify for BTWEA in this way, you may avail of the scheme for the time remaining on the original claim. This involves the original claimant transferring his or her entitlements to you as their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. (In other words, you become self-employed and the original claimant becomes your qualified adult on the BTWEA). If the original claimant is entitled to credits, he or she can continue to claim them. However BTWEA cannot be paid at the same time as another social welfare payment so if the original claimant (now a qualified adult) decides to claim another payment you must stop claiming BTWEA.

If you have been recently released from prison, you may qualify for BTWEA. Time spent in prison can count towards the qualifying period for the BTWEA if you establish an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment before becoming self-employed.

Qualifying periods for BTWEA

Periods of time spent on full-time FET, Fáilte Ireland and Teagasc training courses, Community Employment, Social Economy Programme, Rural Social Scheme, FIT, Job Initiative, JobBridge, Work Placement Programme, Tús, BTEA and VTOS schemes are accepted as qualifying periods provided you were entitled to a qualifying payment before starting on the study or training. The Department of Social Protection also counts time spent on the Community Services Programme provided you were getting a qualifying social welfare payment for at least half of the qualifying period.

Time spent on Supplementary Welfare Allowance or in direct provision for asylum seekers can count towards the qualifying period for BTWEA, as long as you establish an entitlement to one of the qualifying payments listed above before starting the BTWEA.

If you have previously participated in the BTWEA scheme and used up your entitlement, you can participate a second time after at least 5 years.

Find out more about the qualifying periods for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.

Help with starting a business

In addition to income support (your weekly payment), you can also get financial support with the costs of setting up your business. These supports are provided under a scheme called the Enterprise Support Grant (ESG).

You can only get the ESG if you have been approved for the BTWEA. The business plan you submit as part of your application for the scheme must set out the rationale and requirement for financial support. The ESG can pay a total of €2,500 in any 24-month period. You must be able to make a matching contribution of at least 20% to access grant support. You need to provide documentary evidence of the costs (quotations from at least 2 suppliers or, if a single supplier, the reasons for choosing a single supplier).

Eligible items for grant support include:

Note that you do not have an automatic right to any of these amounts. The Department of Social Protection’s Case Officer will assess your application and eligibility.

Some items are not eligible for grant support under the ESG. These include:

• Building/premises rental costs
• Cost of travel
• Insurance (except public liability)
• Personal clothing and uniforms (except protective clothing)
• Professional development programmes arranged by professional and regulatory bodies
• Purchase of any type of vehicle
• Stock-in-trade
• Training or education other than that specified
• Utility costs, connection or supply and local authority rates

More information is available about becoming self-employed.

Employment grants

Employment grants from a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) or a Local Development Company do not affect your entitlement to the BTWEA.

Extra benefits

You can keep your extra (or secondary) benefits for as long as you are getting the BTWEA. Extra benefits include:

• Fuel Allowance
• Medical card
• Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
• Differential rents (from your local authority)
• Rent Supplement

However, if you are getting Rent Supplement, you can only keep it if you are deemed eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme. Your Rent Supplement may be affected if your earnings go up while you are on the BTWEA scheme.  You should check with the Department of Social Protection’s representative (formerly known as the Community Welfare Officer) to see how your Rent Supplement may be affected by your participation in the BTWEA scheme.

When you are getting the BTWEA

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is paid directly into your bank or building society account each week. The allowance cannot be paid into a mortgage account.

You do not have to pay tax, PRSI or Universal Social Charge on the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance but you may have to pay tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge on any income you get from self-employment.

You can claim Start Your Own Business Relief if you are getting the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA).  This provides a 2-year exemption from income tax (up to a maximum of €40,000 per year) for people who have been unemployed for at least 12 months before starting their own business. To qualify, you must start the business by 31 December 2018.

You must contact the Department of Social Protection immediately if your self-employment ends or you take up employment.

Rates

If you qualify for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance you can keep the following portion of your social welfare payment, including increases for a qualified adult and qualified children, for a maximum of 2 years:

• 100% for the 1st year
• 75% for the 2nd year

Change of circumstances

If your circumstances change, your rate of payment for a qualified adult or additional qualified children may be increased or decreased, depending on your situation. However, if your BTWEA claim is based on a previous entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment or Carer’s Allowance, you cannot claim an increase for a qualified adult as this would not have been payable on your underlying entitlement.

If your qualified adult finds employment, this does not affect your BTWEA. However, if your qualified adult claims another social welfare payment in their own right, your BTWEA payment will be reduced accordingly.

How to apply

To apply for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, complete application form BTW2.

If you live in an area covered by a Local Development Company (LDC) (sometimes known as local partnership companies) you should return form BTW 2 to the Enterprise Officer in the LDC. If you do not live in a LDC Area, you should return form BTW 2 to the Case Officer in your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

The Enterprise Officer or Case Officer will look at your business proposal and may discuss certain aspects of it with you. You must not take up self-employment until you have received written approval from the LDC or the Department of Social Protection.

If you are accepted on to the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, you must register as self-employed with the Revenue Commissioners.

Reviewing a decision

The BTWEA is an administrative scheme. This means that you cannot appeal a decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. However, you can ask the Department of Social Protection to review your application if you feel that you have been wrongly refused the allowance.

Where to apply

If you live in an area covered by a Local Development Company (LDC), you should apply to the Enterprise Officer in your local ILDC.

If you do not live in a LDC area, you should apply to the Case Officer in your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.