Are you a small business owner looking to set up a website so you can start selling online, or do you want to refresh your existing website to provide e-commerce or appointment-booking functionality? The Trading Online Voucher Scheme can help you with the setup costs.
By applying for the voucher, you can avail of a grant of up to €2,500 towards investment in a website or other services to improve your online presence.
In this article, we cover what the Trading Online Voucher is and how you can apply for it.
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What is the Trading Online Voucher Scheme?
The Trading Online Voucher is a financial incentive for small businesses to establish or develop an online presence so they can trade online. Under the scheme, a business that qualifies can apply for a grant of up to €2,500, or 50% of the cost (excluding VAT), towards a range of services, such as creating a website to sell products online. With online shopping purchases increasing each year, it is estimated that only around 12% of Irish websites have an e-commerce facility and that only 30% of small Irish businesses are engaged in e-commerce. It is now believed that up to 70% of online purchases in Ireland are done in overseas markets. In order to improve this situation, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment offers the Trading Online Voucher as part of the National Digital Strategy, which aims to get more businesses trading online. The department offers the Trading Online Voucher through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), which deliver this scheme to Irish businesses. Businesses that have availed of the scheme report increased sales domestically and internationally.
Is my business eligible for the Trading Online Voucher?
In order to avail of the voucher, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be trading within Ireland for at least 6 months prior to making an application.
- Employ less than 10 people.
- Have an annual turnover of less than €2 million.
- You don’t have a website or have limited or no e-commerce functionality on your existing website.
- Attend and complete a free Trading Online Voucher Scheme webinar.
- Be located in the area covered by the Local Enterprise Office to whom you make the application.
What can I use the Trading Online Voucher for?
You can use the voucher towards the cost of one or more of the following:
- Creating an e-commerce website.
- Upgrading an existing website to have e-commerce functionality.
- Implementing online payment systems and cart checkout functionality.
- Installing an appointment-booking system.
- Training related to managing an e-commerce store.
- Purchasing software used to establish and manage online trading.
- Developing and implementing a digital marketing strategy.
- Online advertising on platforms such as Facebook and Google (cannot make up more than 30% of approved voucher costs).
- Professional photography services for digital marketing (cannot make up more than 80% of approved voucher costs).
In summary, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme cannot be used for anything other than online trading activity. Brochure websites that only show what products or services your business provides are not eligible for the scheme.
How do I apply for the Trading Online Voucher?
If you think you meet the requirements and know what kind of services you need, you can begin the application process for the voucher:
- Locate the website of the Local Enterprise Office that covers your county. You can do so by searching at https://www.localenterprise.ie
- On your local website, navigate to training and events / online bookings
- Book a place on a Trading Online Voucher Information webinar. The webinar typically lasts 3 hours and will cover the eligibility criteria for the voucher and topics related to digital marketing and website development. If you cannot find an upcoming event, you can email your Local Enterprise Office to see if you can attend a webinar offered by a different LEO.
- After you have completed the webinar, you should receive a link to an application form to apply for the Voucher. Some of the questions on the form include:
- Your business contact details and registration number?
- How long you been trading for?
- Your target market?
- Who are your online competitors?
- The scope of work and what services you require to trade online?
- Your market expansion potential from trading online?
- In addition to the above, to complete the application form, you need quotes or invoices from 3 different suppliers for your chosen services.
You can then submit your application form. You should hear back in a couple of weeks if you are successful. If you are approved you will receive get a letter of offer detailing the amount you will receive. The letter should be signed and returned within two weeks. You can then proceed with your chosen supplier who will have 6 months to carry out the work. You will need to pay your supplier in full with proof before you can draw down any voucher funds. The approval process is detailed below.
Approval process for Trading Online Voucher
Once the work has been completed, you can begin to claim the voucher by providing your Local Enterprise Office with the following:
- A signed declaration from the supplier detailing the work carried out and proof they have been paid. The supplier will provide this to the LEO in question.
- A signed declaration from you with a summary of the work completed.
- Invoices and any receipts you receive from suppliers indicating they were paid. The invoices should contain the CRO number of the supplier and any VAT details.
- A bank statement showing proof of payment to the supplier.
- Your CRO registration information.
- Your tax clearance certificate or evidence to prove you are tax-compliant.
- After the LEO has received all the necessary documentation, you should receive your funds within 2–3 weeks.
Can I apply for a second Trading Online voucher?
Yes, if you have previously received a voucher, you may apply for a second. You can do so on the premise of needing additional services to improve your online sales and digital marketing. If it has been over 9 months since you last attended a Trading Online Voucher webinar, then you will need to apply to attend another seminar. You can then begin the process of applying again. Since 2021, some business categories that could previously apply for a Trading Online Voucher are no longer eligible for the scheme. You can find the businesses that are no longer eligible by identifying their NACE code. You can find the list of ineligible NACE codes on your local LEO Trading Online Voucher webpage.
Apply for the Trading Online Voucher today and start selling online
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is a fantastic way to help you establish an online presence and grow your online sales. The Voucher helps you cut the cost of website development by 50%. Businesses that have availed of the scheme have increased their sales both domestically and in international markets. Online shopping rates continue to increase and will do so into the future so now is a great time to invest in e-commerce.
If you need more information or any help with applying for the scheme you can get in touch with us on our contact page.
Trading Online Voucher FAQs
What is the Trading Online Voucher Scheme?
The Trading Online Voucher is a grant of up to €2,500 offered to Irish small businesses to help them establish an online presence so they can sell their products and services online.
How can the Trading Online Voucher help my business?
The Voucher helps by reducing the cost of website development and integrating e-commerce solutions by up to 50%. Recipients of the Voucher report increased sales locally and internationally.
Is my business eligible for the Trading Online Voucher?
The main criteria is to have been trading in Ireland for at least 6 months, employ less than 10 people, and have an annual turnover of less than €2 million. You should have no existing e-commerce activity, or need an e-commerce upgrade to your existing website.
How do you apply for the Trading Online Voucher?
You need to attend a Trading Online Voucher webinar hosted by your local Enterprise office. You can search for your local LEO at https://www.localenterprise.ie. After the webinar, you will need to fill out an online form to begin the application process. You will need 3 quotations from suppliers for the digital services you need to complete the form.
How long is the approval process for the Trading Online Voucher?
As part of the approval process, you will need to supply certain documentation, such as signed declarations from the supplier, your CRO certificate, and a bank statement showing payment to the supplier. Once all the documents are submitted, it should take 2–3 weeks to receive the funds in your account.
Can I apply for a second Trading Online Voucher if I have applied previously?
Yes, if you require another voucher for upgrades to your website, you can apply a second time. Since 2021, some eligibility criteria for the types of businesses that can avail of the scheme have changed. You should check to see if you are still eligible by reading the documentation on your Local Enterprise Office website. If you are still eligible, you need to book another place on a Trading Online Voucher seminar.
