How to get help with funding a new website

Whether its your first step in e-business or your site needs to be replaced with a new one that better meets your current business needs, your local City or County Enterprise Board (CEB) may be able to help you.

For qualifying businesses there are generally grants available for up to half the cost of new websites or a maximum of €1500. But we have heard of clients making the case for larger amounts when the business is primarily an on line one with extra functionality or e-commerce needs.

Enterprise boards are a great source of knowledge in this area too, most run on line marketing or website management courses, as well as broader marketing and business development programmes

How to go about applying for a CEB Web site Grant?

Well, procedures vary but we suggest this approach:

1. Check here for the county or city enterprise board that covers your area
2. Call them and ask about the grant application process for websites - and to check your business qualifies
3. Most CEBs will give you an application form to complete if you qualify
4. Send your application form to the CEB with a quote from 2-3 website providers
5. Follow up by phone to make sure it has arrived and is correctly completed, check how long the application will take
6. Good luck!

How does the grant get paid?

Again procedures vary but generally:

• You agree the quote and/or proposals directly with your chosen web developer AFTER the grant has been agreed by the CEB
• When the website is delivered to your satisfaction and live on your domain you pay any remaining balance directly to the web developer
• The web developer must give you properly receipted invoice(s) for all payments made from the start of the project - none of these invoices should be dated before the date of grant approval
• Send the receipt together with a photocopy of cheques and/or bank statements to the CEB with a completed claim form if required
• The CEB should then pay you the grant previously offered providing your expenditure matches or exceeds the original quote approved

Need help with a grant application? - ask us for a quote to submit to your CEB now