In today's digital age, establishing a robust online presence is not just an option for businesses; it's a necessity. The Trading Online Voucher (TOV) Scheme, funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, acknowledges this necessity by supporting Irish businesses that seek to enhance their online capabilities. Aimed at smaller Irish businesses with little to no online presence, the TOV provides a vital lifeline to help them tap into new markets and grow digitally.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into why a strong online presence is crucial, outline who is eligible for the Trading Online Voucher, explain the application process, and discuss how the voucher can be utilised effectively. Additionally, we'll explore how Attunya's services, especially the Online Visibility Package, align perfectly with the aims of the TOV, offering a seamless solution for businesses ready to make their mark online.
With over 5.35 billion active internet users globally, the digital marketplace offers unprecedented opportunities. Studies show that Irish consumers spend nearly €850,000 every hour online, highlighting the potential for businesses to increase their revenue through online sales. Moreover, maintaining a dynamic website complemented by regular blog posts can significantly improve a company's search engine rankings, increase visitor traffic, and ultimately boost sales conversions.
The Trading Online Voucher is a financial incentive specifically designed to support small Irish businesses looking to expand or establish their online trading presence. Administered by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) across Ireland, this scheme helps cover costs associated with developing a more robust online presence.
Businesses can claim up to 50% of their eligible expenses or a maximum voucher of €2,500, whichever amount is lesser. This subsidy can make a significant difference for small businesses aiming to enhance their online capabilities.
If your business incurs an expense of €4,000 on qualifying digital services, you can claim 50% back, which amounts to €2,000.
For a larger investment, such as €6,000, while the 50% would normally equate to €3,000, the voucher will cover only the maximum amount of €2,500.
These examples show how the TOV can be applied to help mitigate the costs of digital upgrades, making it an essential tool for businesses ready to grow their online presence and expand their market reach.
The Trading Online Voucher is designed for small businesses that need financial support to develop their online trading presence. To be eligible, a business must:
Businesses involved in sectors like IT services, which already possess online trading capabilities, and other excluded categories based on their NACE code, are not eligible. This ensures that the funding reaches those who need it most to start or enhance their e-commerce journey.
Applying for the Trading Online Voucher involves several key steps:
Each Local Enterprise Office generally holds a Trading Online Voucher webinar once or twice a month. As previously discussed, attendance at one of these webinars is compulsory if you are to be successful in your TOV application. Signing up to the Trading Online Voucher seminar is an easy task, if you know where to look. Trawling through the Local Enterprise Office website searching for the page specific to your locality can be a pain, so we’ve done that boring work for you. Below is a quick and easy process on how to sign up to the correct webinar.
Note - Attendance to the webinar is free, the contact details section is simply listed as “Billing Details”.
The voucher can be used for various online enhancements including:
This flexibility allows businesses to tailor the funds according to their specific online needs, enhancing their ability to trade more effectively online.
Once your application is successful and you have been granted the TOV, drawdown of the monies granted under the scheme can only be claimed once the project has been completed and all invoices paid.
Recipients of the Trading Online Voucher have 6 months from the date they receive their voucher to claim back their grant from their Local Enterprise Office. Recipients must show proof of project completion and payment of services when claiming back their grant money.
To make the most of the TOV, businesses should focus on strategic investments that offer the highest return on investment. This might include selecting service providers that can deliver comprehensive solutions from web development to digital marketing, ensuring that every aspect of the online transition is covered effectively.
Attunya’s array of services, including web development, SEO, and content creation, are fully eligible under the TOV. Our Online Visibility Package is specifically designed to help businesses maximise their online presence. It includes:
This comprehensive package ensures that businesses not only establish a strong online presence but also maintain and grow their digital footprint leading to an increase in online revenue.
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is a pivotal resource for Irish businesses aiming to expand their online presence. By reducing the financial burden of digital upgrades, the TOV enables businesses to invest in their growth and capitalise on the vast opportunities of the e-commerce landscape.
For businesses ready to take their online presence to the next level, leveraging the TOV with Attunya’s expertise could be the key to unlocking significant growth and reaching wider markets. To find out more about how you can benefit from the TOV and Attunya’s services, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you transform your digital capabilities and secure a thriving future in the online world.