Trading On-line Vouchers – The Facts
Many people have spoken to me about on-line vouchers. They seem confused as to what they are, whether they are eligible for them and how they can apply for them.
I wish to address these issues here and hopefully you will go away with some new knowledge on this very useful source of funding for your business.
It is estimated that only 23% of small Irish businesses are engaged in any meaningful way in e-Commerce sales. For businesses employing less than ten people this percentage could be even lower!
It is now believed that of online purchases made in Ireland that 70% of these are done in overseas markets.
There is now an urgency within government to ensure that businesses recognise this issue. They wish to encourage and support businesses to correctly respond to this digital reality.
The National Digital Strategy aims to get a number of businesses trading online. The Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR) has launched a Trading Online Voucher Programme. It has teamed up with the Local Enterprise Offices to deliver this, to Irish business.
If you wish to avail of a voucher, the first step is to attend an obligatory 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.
Trading On-line Vouchers – Eligibility Criteria:
- Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (exclusive of VAT), whichever is the lesser
- Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
- Own labour is not an eligible expense
- Third party costs only will be considered
- All third party/supplier invoices must contain proper business details (e.g. Tax and Business Registration details)
Typical Business Profile:
- Limited Online Trading presence
- Less than 10 employees
- Turnover less than €2m
- Applicant business must be registered and trading for at least 12 months
- Business must be located in one of the pilot areas under this phase of the scheme
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 system;
- 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
Evaluation Process
- An evaluation committee will assess the applications and make recommendations for approval
- A competitive process will be put in place to assist with selection process. Selection of successful applicant will be based on the following criteria:
- Eligibility for scheme
- Value added potential
- Export potential
- Job creation potential
- Financial Sustainability
- Record decisions and report to the Local Enterprise Office approvals committee
- In order to apply for a voucher applicants will be required to attend a training session on how to use and get the best value for money from the voucher
Voucher Administration
- Letter of offer with Voucher to be sent out to successful applicant
- Letter of offer signed, accepted and returned
- Client has three months to complete the work as per their application
- Client must attend pre-voucher application information seminar
Voucher Application and Drawdown Process:
- Application
- Submit copy of completed and signed application form by hard copy;
- Soft copy of completed application to be supplied by email;
- Evaluation of applications and recommendations for approval;
- Application is approved by Local Enterprise Office Committee.
- Drawdown
- Applicant signs declaration on the voucher and submit to Local Enterprise Office (LEO);
- Applicant and Supplier(s) submit copy of an up to date tax clearance certificate ;
- Invoice from supplier(s) containing CRO details and Tax registration number submitted to LEO for payment (Only suppliers with these basic criteria in place are eligible); There is no geographical limit to where a supplier may be located globally, however proof that the supplier is legitimately in business whatever is the relevant form in the suppliers territory.
- Proof of payment to supplier(s) submitted by applicant to LEO e.g. bank/cr. Card statements
- Voucher is redeemed to applicant
Post-Voucher reporting
- Reporting will include: Jobs (new or reallocated) , Exports and/or domestic market expansion, Increase Revenue, Reduced Costs, Expected follow on investment Suppliers will be required to report on the impact of their products and services.
- Reporting will include how their product or service enabled: trading on-line, improved business performance, reduced cost, opened markets.
Want to know more? Just send me an email if you have any questions:- http://smilingspiders.com/contact-us-website-agency/
Acknowledgements
Trading On-line Vouchers – Next Steps
Smiling Spiders has developed websites for businesses that were eligible for the trading voucher scheme. Generally you need to get 3 quotes and you pick one of the 3 for the final development.
For a detailed quote please contact smiling spiders:
