when receiving quotes regarding web design...

[mattyk50]

has anyone been quoted a price and then been told by the company hey can get funding for up to 50% of the price because they are a member of business link or something??

[hightide]

we've told clients that before because it was true :)

it depends on were you're based - not all Business Link regions have the same funding rules. basically different pots of money have to be spent in different ways on different things. and normally the company you pick needs to be approved in some way (you may also have to invite tenders from 3 companies for the work)

speak to your business link or your regional development agency (who I beleive are absorbing the business links this year - that's what's happening in West Midlands anyway...)

[mattyk50]

i spoke to them at the beginning of the week and they said they would email me details, but as of yet i've received nothing. so how easy is it for you to get hold of this funding? (based on your own experiences). im in the north east - middlesbrough - so obviously it may be different here

[hightide]

funny that!
we always found it hard to get anything from them as well, and yet if they have funds they will be desperate to get rid of them. they don't help themselves.

if they are merging with the RDA they will be very keen to get applications early this year as i undertand in wets midlands they are tyring to get all the applications closed by september.

did you say your designer mentioned grants to you?
if so then let them deal with the applications and work out eligibility.

how easy is it?
if you're eligible then it's easy (as long as you don't mind jumping thru their hoops like getting extra quotes)
if you're not eligble then you won't get it.

and eligibility will change from region to region and funding stream to funding stream.

things that tend to matter are:

- business size
- business sector
- post code area (because there will be objectice areas - yes it's a post cod elottery!)
- potential for growth (either measured in turnover or potential employees)
- how much support you've had from the EU and the DTI (something calle de minimus - if you have a small firms loan guarantee it will count towards it - I beleive de minimu is £250k)
- age of company
- type of project

it can be very specific.
you might be right area, but company is too old. or too young. websites might be eligible, but they might have to have an ecommerce aspect to them.

if you're still stuck I have a contact who may be able to help you penetrate business link!

[mattyk50]

thanks for your help. i'll give them another ring tomorrow and give them a gentle kick up the backside.

if i still get no joy, that contact may be very useful.

thanks again,

matt

[hightide]

always happy to help

[mattyk50]

i dont suppose you deal much in databse driven websites do you? just been looking at your portfolio and you do some great design work for sites

[ChrisO]

Hi Matty,

You can get upto 40% in some cases off your development cost in the North East. Contact Business Link at teesbusinesslink.co.uk for your area.

We develop database driven websites and are Business Link Tyne and Wear approved providers and are currently working on several funded projects at the moment.

Best of luck with your development!

[mattyk50]

i'll send u an email tomorrow chris

[hightide]

Hi Matty
If you send me a spec I can take a look for you but in all fairness it may be easier to deal with a local supplier (particuarly if Chris is already in with the local Business Link)

Let me know either way

Jon