Trading Online Voucher Scheme for Digital Trading
As part of the Government’s National Digital Strategy an additional Trading Online Voucher has been introduced to help SMEs during #Covid19. Wolfgang Digital advise that April 2 saw a 58% increase in traffic on pre covid levels for online retailers. This is trending upwards. Online revenues were up 200% , treble their pre-covid levels. This is trending upwards again. You need to be found in this search to sell your product.
Photo thanks to Wolfgang Digital
The expanded Trading Online Voucher Scheme is designed to assist small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for you. It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 10% from the business along with training and advice to help your business trade online. Cutting the cost of developing your online trading capacity by up to 90% can make this investment very affordable for many small businesses out there. Making informed decisions is vital for all business, so the free help and training provided by your local enterprise office in the delivery of this scheme puts you in a position to decide what is best for your business. The training sessions cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. The information provided is impartial and will help you decide on what trading online options, are right for your business. Businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required. Funding can be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to your website or developing new apps for your customers. The voucher can also be used towards subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions, to help companies quickly establish a retailing presence online. Full information on the scheme click HERE
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE
The Voucher is up to €2500 (90% Funded by your Local Enterprise Office & 10% funded by YOU!
ECOMMERCE WEBSITE - You can have a new site created or update your existing site.
PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES - Engage a photographer to take professional photos of your products. I use Michael Chester for many of my photoshoots and he is amazing.
BRAND IDENTITY PACK - Logo, Business Card, Complimentary Slip, Social Media Banner, Graphics are covered.
DOMAIN + HOSTING 1 YEAR - This is funding to get your website online. Here are some companies who can help you. Domain Registration are provided by companies like Register365, Irish Domains,
IE Domain Registry and Hosting is provided by companies like Blacknight Hosting Ireland,
ONLINE PAYMENT SOLUTION - adding payment facilities or booking systems to your website or developing new apps for your customers.
**Trading Online Voucher Information Seminar - Those wishing to avail of a voucher, must attend an obligatory Trading Online Voucher Information seminar. At each seminar attendees will be informed of the purpose of the scheme and how best to use and get value from the application of the voucher. You can book with Dun Laoighaire Leo HERE Check with your Local Office for courses near you. Currently some of these courses are being run using Zoom rather than in a classroom setting. - Only those people who attend the trading online voucher information seminar and meet the eligibility criteria will be sent an application form to apply for a voucher from our LEO.
Application deadline is Friday 12th June 2020 at 4pm. It is not possible to submit more than one claim for this grant, businesses who have received this grant already cannot apply for a second grant.
