Web Presence Assistance

• The applicant must be a business or local not-for-profit organization located in Prince Edward Island.
• The applicant must either not have an existing website or be upgrading an existing website to add e-commerce for the first time.
• The project must involve creating or upgrading a website and/or related online presence activities that align with the program’s objective of increasing business through online visibility and sales.
• The application must be submitted before any financial or legal commitments are made for the project.
• The application must be complete, including required business information and a detailed project description with supporting cost documentation.

Who is eligible?

• Prince Edward Island businesses without an existing website
• Prince Edward Island businesses upgrading an existing website to add e-commerce for the first time
• Local not-for-profit organizations in Prince Edward Island without an existing website
• Local not-for-profit organizations in Prince Edward Island upgrading an existing website to add e-commerce for the first time

Who is not eligible

• Applicants that already have an e-commerce website and only want to enhance or expand existing e-commerce functions.
• Businesses with a defaulted outstanding debt obligation recorded in the Province of Prince Edward Island’s Central Default Registry.
• Businesses that received Web Presence Assistance funding from Innovation PEI for website development in the previous two years.
• Fishers, farmers, and realty companies, including commercial or residential landlords and property developers.
• Banks and financial companies, such as pawnbrokers, payday loan providers, cheque-cashing services, and operators of white-label cash machines.

Eligible expenses

• Registration costs for a new domain name.
• Design and development fees for a new website, including integration of e‑commerce functions.
• Website hosting costs.
• Website features that improve user experience and performance, such as search engine optimization (SEO), mobile optimization, scheduling tools, voice technology, chatbots and social media integration.
• Social media and online advertising expenses specifically to support the launch of the new website, when requested in the application and within the maximum contribution limits.
• Subscriptions directly related to the business’s website and associated online tools, billed and paid before the request for payment.

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses and local not-for-profit organizations located in Prince Edward Island.

• Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis once they are complete and all required information is submitted.
• Innovation PEI may deny a grant application or payment request if it suspects or detects fraudulent intent.

• Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis once all required information has been submitted.
• Applicants must accept the program’s full terms and conditions within the application, which then form part of a contract with Innovation PEI.
• Applicants will be informed within ten business days whether their application has been received and deemed complete.
• Once an application is complete, a funding decision is normally issued within 10 to 20 business days for this program.