Fuzion are delighted to be working on two great initiatives that have been introduced by the Government and are being operated by the Local Enterprise Boards.
One of these is the Online Trading Vouchers initiative, which is designed to encourage and assist Irish businesses with eCommerce potential to get trading online and not miss the opportunity to expand their business. Vouchers of up to €2,500 are available to qualifying businesses.
This is a huge opportunity for the right business to literally ‘Take Off‘ by reaching new online customers for their products and services.
With the trend ever increasing towards online spending it is estimated that only 23% of small Irish businesses are engaged in any meaningful way in eCommerce 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. This is a huge lost opportunity for Irish businesses.
There is now an urgency to ensure that businesses recognise that this is happening and that they are encouraged and supported to respond to this digital reality in a meaningful way.
In order to support this goal, the National Digital Strategy aims to get a further 2,000 businesses trading online by the end of 2015.
The Online Trading Voucher scheme has been introduced to support those who wish to grasp this opportunity to expand their business.
Applications are now being accepted in the Pilot Regions of: Dublin City & County, Cork City & County, Kerry, Louth, Sligo and Waterford.
The €2,500 match funded Online Trading Vouchers are targeted at:
- Small businesses that have a limited online trading presence
- Less than 10 employees
- Turnover less than €2million
- Registered and trading for a minimum of 12 months
- Located in one of the pilot areas under this phase of the scheme
The Online Trading Vouchers can be used for the development or upgrade of an e-commerce website such as implementing online payments or booking systems.
Other usage includes the purchase of internet related software, online advertising, development of an APP, implementation of a digital marketing strategy, consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy and training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity.
In order to make an application those interested must attend one of the information seminars which will provide all the details as to how to apply but also how to best use and gain value from the voucher to support the business online trading proposition.
This is an opportunity not to be missed by anyone who has a small business with products or services suited to eCommerce sales.
Please spread the word and advise anyone who is interested that they must attend the seminars – Attendance is FREE and pre-registration is essential.
Are you ready for Take Off?
Check out the other terrific initiative, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, which is a new competition to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, with a total fund of €2 million available to invest in winning businesses and entrepreneurs in every county in the country.
