Trading Online Voucher
A look at the Local Enterprise Office Scheme
What is the Trading Online Voucher Scheme?
Simply speaking, the Trading Online Voucher is a grant supplied by your Local Enterprise Office. It was created to help small Irish businesses enhance their online trading potential by allowing e-commerce through their website. The "voucher" as it is called is actually a matched funding scheme where you receive up to €2,500.00.
The maximum grant that can be applied for is €2,500 or 50% of what you are intending to spend on the e-commerce upgrades to your website, whichever is the lesser.
The Trading Online Voucher scheme was set up under the National Digital Strategy.
It is funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment to help Irish businesses trade online.
The scheme is delivered by the Local Enterprise Office
Why apply for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme?
Only 23% of Irish Businesses engage in e-commerce.
€850,000 spent online every hour by Irish consumers.
70% of online purchases in Ireland goes to overseas markets
According to Wicklow Local Enterprise Office
of the 800 local businesses surveyed that received the Trading Online Voucher
it was found that:
3 out of 5 businesses began to export their goods.
Sales increased by an average of 21%.
84% saw an increase in customer enquiries.
73% said new business was additional and did not displace existing sales.
Businesses expected to recruit on average 1.4 more employees.
89% said the trading online component of their business will become more important in the next six months.
What can the voucher be used for?
Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
Implement online payments or booking systems
Purchase of internet related software, online advertising, App development
Implement a digital marketing strategy
Training/skills development to establish & manage online trading activity
Who is Eligible for the Scheme?
- SMEs with no/limited online trading presence.
- Businesses with less then 10 employees.
- Turnover of less than €2 million.
- Business must trading for at least 12 months.
- Located in the region of the local enterprise office to whom they are applying.
Who is not Eligible for the Scheme?
- Company with charitable status.
- Commercial semi-state companies.
- Not for Profit & Social entrepreneurship applicants, unless they operate in a commercial domain.
- Conferences and Seminars.
- Professional Services specialising in IT type services.
What can the voucher NOT be used for?
Development of brochure websites
Purchase of non-internet related software
Anything other than online trading related activity
How to Apply for the Scheme
As the Trading Online Voucher is supplied by your Local Enterprise Office you need to start there.
You must attend your local LEO information seminar on the voucher.
This seminar provides all the details on how to apply. It also advises on the best use for the voucher and how to get the most value from it.
There is of course an evaluation process. Selection is based on the following criteria:
- Eligibility for scheme
- Value added potential/increased online sales
- Export potential
- Job creation potential
- Financial Sustainability
If your application is successful you will receive a letter of offer (the voucher).
This must be signed and returned to your local LEO. Once approved you have four months to complete the work.
Of course, this is just a quick overview of the Trading Online Voucher.
For further information on the application process and eligibility contact your Local Enterprise Office.
Quotation
If you are looking to upgrade or improve your e-commerce capability then fill in the form with your details and we will provide a free quotation to help you get started.
Eclipse Web Design & Development
Redcross
Co. Wicklow
Ireland
+35387601691
hello@eclipsewebdesign.ie