Boost your Irish business with the Trading Online Voucher scheme by claiming up to €2,500 to create a new website or enhance the one you have.
Whether you’re looking to launch a website, improve your digital marketing, or expand your online shop, a Trading Online Voucher (TOV) grant is designed to help businesses like yours.
And, if you’ve already received a Trading Online Voucher grant, the government recently announced that you can apply again for any enhancements or upgrades your website or digital marketing might need.
What are Trading Online Vouchers?
Trading Online Vouchers offer eligible Irish businesses financial support (a grant, not a loan) up to a maximum of €2,500, or 50% of eligible costs (whichever is lower).
The grant covers things like:
- Digital marketing
- Website development
- E-commerce upgrades
Who is eligible for a Trading Online Voucher
You can apply for a Trading Online Voucher if your business has:
- Fewer than 10 employees
- An annual turnover of less than €2 million
- Been trading for at least six months
Projects that aren’t eligible include those with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, “not for profit” organisations, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce.
How can a Trading Online Voucher grant benefit your business?
This scheme is designed to help local businesses grow by enhancing their digital capabilities.
The vouchers can be used for the development or upgrade of an e-commerce website, such as implementing online payments or booking systems, invest in digital marketing strategies and receive training and advice on selling online more effectively.
Other usage includes purchase of internet-related software, online advertising, development of an app and consultation or training with appropriate experts.
Vouchers cannot be used for the development of ‘brochure’ websites (websites that don’t have an e-commerce element), purchase of non-internet related software and anything other than an online trading related activity.
The initiative is supported by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) under the Government’s National Digital Strategy.
How to apply for a Trading Online Voucher
In order to apply for a Trading Online Voucher, you need to attend a Trading Online Information Session. These are now mostly online webinars that last a couple of hours.
Once you’ve attended your information session, you can complete the application form.
Not many of us enjoy writing out long answers to funding questions, but with our short guide below, you’ll find it easy to get started. Follow these steps and useful tips and tricks to help ensure a successful application.
Step 1: Check if you’re eligible
Before you begin, it’s essential to ensure that your business qualifies for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. To be eligible, your business should have a turnover of less than €2 million, up to 10 employees, have been trading for a minimum of 6 months, be located in the Republic of Ireland, and have a limited or no e-commerce presence.
Step 2: Attend an information session
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) holds regular information seminars about the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. Attendance at one of these seminars is a prerequisite for applying. These sessions provide insights into the scheme and how it can benefit your business.
Step 3: Prepare your application
Now it’s time to prepare your application. You’ll need to provide details about your business, including your current online presence, what you hope to achieve with the voucher, and how you plan to accomplish your goals. Be as detailed as possible in explaining how the voucher will improve your business and increase sales.
Step 4: Submit your application
Once your application is complete, submit it to your local LEO. They will review your application and determine if your business is a good fit for the scheme.
Where to apply
Click on the appropriate link below to check out any specific requirements, find and book an information session near you and get hold of the application form.
- Carlow
- Cavan
- Clare
- Cork (Cork City)
- Cork (Cork North and West)
- Cork (South Cork)
- Donegal
- Dublin (Dublin City)
- Dublin (Dún Laoghaire)
- Dublin (Fingal)
- Dublin (South Dublin)
- Galway
- Kerry
- Kildare
- Kilkenny
- Limerick
- Louth
- Laois
- Mayo
- Meath
- Monaghan
- Offaly
- Roscommon
- Sligo
- Waterford
- Wexford
- Westmeath
- Wicklow
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Application
- Be Clear and Concise: Clearly articulate your business needs and how the voucher will help meet those needs. Avoid jargon and keep your language simple and straightforward.
- Showcase Your Commitment: Demonstrate your commitment to improving your online presence. Show that you’re willing to invest time and resources into making the most of the voucher.
- Have a Solid Plan: Having a well-thought-out plan for how you will use the voucher can greatly increase your chances of approval. This plan should include measurable goals and a timeline for achieving them.
- Seek Professional Advice: Consider seeking advice from a digital marketing professional or agency. They can help you create a robust plan and make your application stand out.
Businesses we have already helped with their TOV
Here’s a couple of examples where we helped small businesses improve their existing websites and turn them into real assets.
Pure Savage
Pure Savage does printing and embroidery on clothing – either to order or in an online shop. Their old website looked out of date and didn’t show their business in its best light. Products were hard to find and their accounting system wasn’t connected to sales on the website, so that meant a lot of manual work!
We redesigned their website and included product filters to help customer find what they wanted quickly. We also connected their accounting software to their website, so no more manually adding online sales and revenue by hand, saving them both time and money.
B. Donaghey & Sons Ltd.
Brendan, the owner of B. Donaghey & Sons Ltd., is the local expert when it comes to external insulation, but his website was tired and didn’t live up to the task of reaching a wide audience. It used some old branding too that was out of date.
We brought the site completely up to date and added an online shop, some testimonials and demonstrated the benefits of upgrading the insulation levels of your home. We also added online forms to allow potential customers to book a consultation
Time to get started?
Applying for a Trading Online Voucher can be a game-changer for your business. You could soon be well on your way to enhancing your online presence and reaching new markets. Good luck!
If you’d like more advice, why not drop us a line or give us a call?
