Growing Small Businesses through Online Trading
Ireland is in the midst of an online revolution. Data on Irish consumer spending suggests that in excess of €6billion is being spent online annually and this spend is continuing to grow fast. Irish consumers spend around €850,000 per hour, 24 hours a day online. Businesses are affected by the changes occurring in consumption patterns. Yet the majority of small Irish businesses do not trade online despite the enormous market opportunity it provides. There are many reasons for this including, in the main, the perceptions of technical complexity, the competitive environment, ability to invest and an uncertain return.
The Online Trading Voucher Scheme aims to get more small Irish traditional businesses, with 10 or fewer employees and less than €2m revenue, trading online. It provides a flexible incentive for small business owners/managers to address the perceived barriers to trading online. Operated through the national network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), the scheme offers a financial incentive of up to €2,500 (50% of costs net of VAT) along with training and, mentoring support.
The Trading Online Vouchers can be used for the development or upgrade of an e-commerce website, such as implementing online payments or booking systems. The vouchers are targeted at businesses that have a limited or no online trading presence; 10 or less employees; turnover of less than €2 million; applicants must be trading for a minimum of 12 months and the business must be located in the region of the Local Enterprise Office to which they are applying.
To learn more about selling online and the Online Trading Vouchers Scheme, a seminar will be held on Wednesday 20th July in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny from 9.30am – 1pm. This event is free and open to any small business owner/manager based in county Kilkenny who is considering growing their business by selling to customers online. This seminar 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. Although attendance is FREE, Pre-registration is essential via the Local Enterprise Kilkenny online booking system www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny
