ONLINE TRADING VOUCHERS
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) are now available to Cork 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. 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.
NB: We are currently accepting applications for trading online vouchers and will continue to do so for the rest of 2015.
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 of the website at https://www.localenterprise.ie/CorkCity/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/
Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure, whichever is the lesser.
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
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 complete the application form available for download below and submit to our office. Handwritten application forms will not be accepted. Please contact our office with any questions on the application form or process.
