Web Presence Assistance

Q: How much funding can be received?

Web Presence Assistance Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $2500 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Web Presence Assistance a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Web Presence Assistance is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Web Presence Assistance?

Web Presence Assistance is funded by Government of Prince Edward Island, Innovation PEI

Q: Who is eligible for the Web Presence Assistance program?

To be eligible for the Web Presence Assistance program, you must: • The business or local not-for-profit organization must be located in Prince Edward Island. • The applicant must either not have a website or be upgrading an existing website to include e-commerce for the first time.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Web Presence Assistance?

You can contact Government of Prince Edward Island.

Q: Where is the Web Presence Assistance available?

The Web Presence Assistance program is available the province of PE.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Web Presence Assistance program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Web Presence Assistance program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

PE, Canada

Money to increase online sales for PEI businesses

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $2,500
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : July 9, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Retail trade

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Get a non-repayable contribution of up to $2,500 to create or upgrade a website for your business.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides financial support to eligible Prince Edward Island businesses and local not-for-profits to develop a web presence or upgrade their existing sites, with specific contribution limits based on the scope of the project. Financing is structured to share costs and encourage digital expansion.

Innovation PEI contributes up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Tier 1 projects, for non-e-commerce sites of businesses without an existing website, receive a maximum contribution of $1000.
Tier 2 projects, which include creating or upgrading to an e-commerce site, are eligible for up to $2500.
The total funding from all non-repayable governmental sources must not exceed 75% of the total eligible project costs.

Activities funded

Web Presence Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses and local not-for-profits in establishing or enhancing their online presence to improve customer reach and sales. Eligible projects under this grant include costs associated with various aspects of web development.

Registration of a domain name.
Website design, development, and hosting, which may include e-commerce features, search engine and mobile optimization, scheduling functions, voice technology, chatbot, and social media integration.
Social media and online advertising to support the launch of a new website, if requested and within available funding limits.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 2,435

Developing an ecommerce platform for selling organic produce

$ 2,200

Revamping a website for a general partnership selling handmade crafts

$ 2,400

Upgrading the website for a local coffee shop to include an online ordering system

$ 2,425

Developing a website for a new social economy enterprise focused on sustainable living workshops

$ 2,470

Creating a new website for a local animal rescue non-profit organization

$ 1,800

Creating an informational website for a financial cooperative with community resources

Eligibility

Eligibility for Web Presence Assistance requires businesses or local not-for-profit organizations to meet specific geographical and project criteria.

The applicant must be a business or local not-for-profit organization located in Prince Edward Island.
The applicant does not have an existing website, or is upgrading an existing website to add e-commerce for the first time.
The applicant should not have defaulted outstanding debt obligations on file in the Province’s Central Default Registry.
The applicant must not have received Web Presence Assistance funding from Innovation PEI in the prior two years.
Fishers, farmers, realty companies, banks, and financial companies are ineligible to apply.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for Web Presence Assistance, applicants must be either a business or a local not-for-profit organization located in Prince Edward Island. The eligibility criteria include:- Businesses or not-for-profits that do not have an existing website.- Businesses or not-for-profits that are upgrading an existing website to add e-commerce for the first time.However, certain applicants are deemed ineligible:- Businesses or organizations with an existing e-commerce website aiming to enhance e-commerce capabilities.- Businesses with a defaulted outstanding debt obligation recorded in the Province’s Central Default Registry.- Businesses that have received funding from Innovation PEI in the previous two years to support website development through this program.- Fishers, farmers, and realty companies, including commercial/residential landlords and developers.- Banks and financial companies, such as pawnbrokers, payday loan companies, cheque cashing services, and white-label cash machine operators.Additionally, projects will not be reviewed until any defaults on reporting, project completion, or financial obligations to Innovation PEI are resolved.

Who is not eligible

This grant is not available to certain businesses due to specific restrictions or the nature of their activities. The goal is to allocate resources effectively to sectors that align with the program's objectives.

Applicants with an existing e-commerce website that wish to enhance their e-commerce functionality.
Businesses listed with debts in the Province's Central Default Registry.
Businesses that have received Web Presence Assistance funding from Innovation PEI in the last two years.
Fishers, farmers, and realty companies, including commercial/residential landlords and developers.
Banks and financial institutions, including pawnbrokers, payday loan providers, cheque cashing services, and white label ATM operators.

Eligible expenses

This assistance program supports Prince Edward Island businesses and not-for-profits in establishing or enhancing their online presence. The eligible activities focus on the creation or upgrade of websites, particularly aiming to incorporate e-commerce functionalities.

Registration of a domain name.
Design, development, and hosting of a new website.
Upgrading an existing website to include first-time e-commerce capabilities.
Inclusion of search engine and mobile optimization, scheduling functions, voice technology, and chatbot features in the website design.
Social media integration and online advertising to support the new website launch, if included in the application.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available specifically for businesses and not-for-profits located in a particular region of Canada. The eligible geographical area ensures alignment with local economic development objectives.

Companies and organizations based in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Web Presence Assistance grant are not explicitly based on point-scored criteria; instead, they are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis given that the application is complete.

Timeliness and completeness of the application submission.
Compliance with application requirements as set out by Innovation PEI.
No suspicion or detection of fraudulent intent by Innovation PEI.

How to apply

Consult with Business Development Officer

Contact an Innovation PEI Business Development Officer for guidance on the suitability of the project.
Discuss other program offerings that may be relevant.

Gather Required Information and Documents

Collect detailed business information, including full business name, contact information, and HST number if applicable.
Prepare a detailed description of the project and its expected impact on the business.
Obtain a written quote from an arm’s length web developer, or outline if self-developed, the detailed list of anticipated expenses.

Complete the Application

Fill out the application form online, or request a printable form to submit a hard copy.
Ensure all required information is accurately completed and compiled in the application.
Agree to the full terms and conditions of the assistance as part of the application process.

Submit the Application

Submit your application online, via mail, or by fax to Innovation PEI.

Confirmation of Application Receipt

Receive confirmation within ten business days indicating whether your application is complete.

Notification of Decision

Receive a decision on your application within ten to twenty business days if the application is complete.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Web Presence Assistance Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Web Presence Assistance. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.