ONLINE TRADING VOUCHERS SCHEME
To support small Irish businesses to enhance their online trading presence, Online Trading Vouchers to the value of €2,500 (up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost ex.VAT) are now available to Businesses through a programme under the Government’s National Digital Strategy and delivered through the Local Enterprise Offices.
With the trend ever increasing towards online spending it is estimated that only 23% of small Irish businesses are engaged in any meaningful way in eCommerce sales. For businesses employing less than ten people this percentage could be even lower. It is now believed that of online purchases made in Ireland that 70% of these are done in overseas markets.
There is now an urgency to ensure that businesses recognise that this is happening and that they are encouraged and supported to correctly respond to this digital reality.
Attendance at an Information Session is required prior to submission of an application. You will be able to register on line when the Information Seminars are arranged over the next few weeks. If an upcoming information session is full another date will be scheduled shortly so please check back on the online booking section at your Local Enterprise Office website.
The Online Trading Vouchers can be used for the development or upgrade of an e-commerce website such as implementing online payments or booking systems. Other usage includes; purchase of Internet related software, online advertising, development of an app, implementation of a digital marketing strategy, consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy, training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity.
What are the benefits of developing online trading capabilities?
It is estimated that by 2020, 85% of all business transactions will be online!
There are a whole host of benefits to be accrued from developing your online trading capabilities. For example a study of 501 Irish SME’s in 2015 indicated that
- 68% of Irish SME’s can’t process payments online
- 51% have no social media presence
- Only 4% of businesses had analytics capability
Now is your chance to gain a competitive advantage through use of online trading.
Eligibility Criteria
Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (Exclusive of VAT), whichever is the lesser
- Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
- Own labour is not an eligible expense
- Third party costs only will be considered
- All third party/supplier invoices must contain proper business details (e.g. Tax and Business Registration details).
Who is eligible?
- The vouchers are targeted at businesses that have a limited online trading presence
- Less than 10 employees
- Turnover less than €2million
- Applicants must be registered and trading for minimum of 12 months
Ineligible Projects
- Companies with charitable status,
- Commercial semi-state companies,
- “Not for profit” organisations,
- Trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce are not eligible to participate in the innovation voucher initiative
What the vouchers CAN be used for
- IT consultation
- Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
- Implementing Online payments or booking systems
- Purchase of Internet related software
- Purchase of online advertising (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30% of approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment phase)
- Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages)
- Implementing a digital marketing strategy i.e. Social media marketing
- Consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy
- Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an on-line trading activity
Vouchers cannot be used for:
- Development of brochure websites
- Purchase of non-internet related software
- Anything other than online trading related activity
In order to make an application complete the application form available for download below and submit to our office. Handwritten application forms will not be accepted. Please contact your local office with any questions on the application form or process.
Click here for a list of Local Enterprise Offices in Ireland.
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