Trading Online Information Seminar Tuesday 30th May 2016

Agenda:

• 09.15 - 09.30     Registration
• 09.30 - 11.00     Training on Trading Online Voucher Scheme
• 11.00 - 11.15     Tea/Coffee
• 11.15 - 12.45     Training on Trading Online Voucher Scheme
• 12.45 - 13.00     Q&A session and Conclusion

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Programme Objective:

To provide participants with information on best practice in e-commerce website development for the purposes of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme.

Scheme Overview

Even though there is currently an increasing trend in online spending it is estimated that only 23% of small Irish businesses use eCommerce in any meaningful way. It is estimated that of all online purchases made in Ireland 70% are done in overseas markets.

There is a critical need to encourage small Irish businesses to develop their digital presence to avoid missed opportunities. In order to support this goal, the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR) has launched a Trading Online Voucher Scheme and has teamed up with the Local Enterprise Offices to roll out the scheme under the National Digital Strategy.

The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers small businesses the opportunity to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure

Eligible Projects:

• Limited Online Trading presence
• Less than 10 employees
• Turnover less than €2m
• Applicant business must be registered and trading for at least 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
• Professional services specialising in IT type services who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems
• Conferences and Seminars
• Projects which are contrary to public policy
• Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes
• Projects with employees in excess of 10 people
• Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight
• Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution

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

What the vouchers CANNOT be used for:

• Development of brochure websites
• Purchase of non-internet related software
• Anything other than online trading related activity