Coronavirus: €2,500 vouchers available to help small businesses with online trading

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The Trading Online Voucher Scheme has been massively expanded to offer even more businesses vouchers of up to €2,500 to support digital enterprise.

The scheme helps small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets through vouchers worth up to €2,500.

The scheme operates through the Local Enterprise Office, and requires 10% in co-funding from businesses availing of it.

Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys an additional €3.3 million in funding for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme as part of a new package of supports for SMEs earlier this month.

This brings the total amount of money being provided by the Department for the scheme to €5.9 million.

More flexibility has also been added to the rules of the scheme, allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one.

Subscriptions to low-cost online retailing platform solutions to quickly establish a retailing presence online are also being incorporated into the scheme.

“This package is a significant step-up in the supports available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time,” Minister Humphreys said.

“The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need.”

In order to apply for the Trading Online Voucher, businesses must complete a mandatory information session.

This will cover topics such as developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.

The information provided is impartial and will help you decide on what trading online options, are right for your business.

Galway Local Enterprise Office is holding its mandatory training session on May 13 at 9:30am.

The session will last for approximately two hours, and places can be registered here.