Support is available to help Irish SMEs make greater use of web technologies and upgrade to e-commerce enabled websites.

The eCommerce Website Development Fund (OPTIMISE) is provided by the IE Domain Registry, an independent non-profit organisation responsible for maintaining the database of .ie registered internet domains.

The fund has been established to stimulate interest in e-commerce websites and to demonstrate the benefits that they can give to businesses. It is designed to provide participating organisations with all the supports necessary (technical, marketing, consultancy and training) to plan, develop and implement significant e-commerce functionality on an existing website.

The €100,000 total value of the fund is delivered via consultation, training and e-commerce developments to a maximum of ten successful applicants.

Application is open to all businesses that have:

• their main base of operations in Ireland,
• an existing website for the business that is hosted online and accessible to the public
• a registered .ie domain for the business, and
• qualify as a micro, small or medium enterprise as defined by the European Commission.

The deadline for applications is 25 May 2012 (midnight).

Click here  for further information and to apply.