Financing and Getting a Grant for a Website in the UK
Small
Business and Commercial Website Grants
Local Authority Grants for a Website
There are several avenues available if you are seeking a grant for your website in the UK. Your first port of call should probably be your UK local authority. Local authorities often have small business promotion schemes where funding assistance with ecommerce is available. This can be as much as 50% of the cost or in some cases even more. There will obviously be a ceiling on this.
Pay for your Website by Credit Card!
Usually ecommerce and IT grants are available up to a maximum of £1000. The grant you receive is probably more than enough to finance an effective small business website from Toucher Web Design. Call your local council office or have a look at their website where you should find some information on who to contact in their grant application process.
Business Link
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business Link is a UK Government site that provides information on grants
to help your business. They also have a page dedicated to finance
and grants.
Business Link Directory Page
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/directory
The Business Link Directory page list all the local and regional Business Link
Services in England. They also have links to those in Wales and the Scottish
regions. To find your nearest operator on their website, either search by your
postcode, browse the list that is available, or call 0845 600 9 006 (minicom
0845 606 2666) - you will be connected directly to your nearest Business Link.
Business Gateway
http://www.bgateway.com/
Business Gateway offers start up information, support and advice to people who
are interested in running their own business. Their website also has a finance
and grants section.
The Design Trust
http://www.thedesigntrust.co.uk/index.php?page=business
The Design Trust, a registered charity, promotes the excellence of British
design and helps designers with business training after they leave college. The
Design Trust Business Start-up guide provides links to organisations who can
help designers considering starting their own business.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
http://www.hie.co.uk/
Help and advice for SMEs in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Big Wales
http://www.bigwales.com/
Primarily set up to offer help and information to businesses in Wales, this site
also provides links to information that is of general interest.
British Chambers of Commerce
http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/
Invest Northern Ireland
http://www.investni.com/
Provides company information, sources of business support and advice, and
guides on many aspects of starting up and running a business.
J4b - Search for Government Grants for your Business
http://www.j4b.co.uk/
Searchable database of grants and loans available to small businesses. Free
but registration required.
West Midlands Access to Finance
http://www.westmidlandsfinance.com
The site offering the most comprehensive regional database of financing for
West Midlands SMEs.
Grants Online
http://www.grantsonline.org.uk/
Information on the latest and current calls for proposals from the European
Union, UK Government, National Lottery and New Opportunities Fund. Also offers
an External Funding Alert, which is a fortnightly publication providing information
on the latest calls for proposals. Subscription service.
Community, Non-profit and Charity Website Grants
Grants for Non-profit Organisations
http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/
Awards for all is a special lottery grants programme for small community groups
looking for small sums of money. Awards for All's main aim is to fund projects
which involve people in their community, bringing them together in a wide range
of different activities.
Grants for Charities, etc.
http://www.community-fund.org.uk/
The UK Community Fund gives Lottery money to charities and voluntary and community
groups.
Grants information for the British charitable and non-profit sector.
http://www.access-funds.co.uk/
This is another site that aims to provide the latest funding information from
Central Government, National Lottery, devolved governing bodies, EU and quangos.
Government Funding:
http://www.governmentfunding.org.uk/default.aspx
This site is your online portal to grants for the voluntary and community
sector from the following funders:
Department
for Education and Skills
Department of Health
Home Office
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Government Offices for the Regions
