July 3, 2014
If you’d like to move your website from a brochure to active selling, these €2.5k vouchers from the Local Enterprise Offices will get you well on the way. You’ll need to attend a seminar to apply — two remain in Cork: Mallow on the 25th of this month, and Roscarbery on the 30th. If you’d like to talk to us about possibilities, please get in touch.
Online Trading Vouchers
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.
In order to support this goal, the National Digital Strategy aims to get a further 2,000 businesses trading online by the end of 2015.
Applications are now being accepted in the Pilot Regions of: Dublin City & County / Cork City & County / Kerry / Louth / Sligo / Waterford.
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 and the business must be located in one of the pilot areas under this phase of the scheme.
Note: ineligible projects include those with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, ”not for profit” organisations, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce.
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.
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 you must attend one of the information seminars which will provide all the details as to how to apply but also how to best use and gain value from the voucher to support your online trading proposition. Attendance is FREE and pre-registration is essential.
