Web Design Grant

Digital Adoption Grant FAQs

Check details below to see if you qualify.

• Eligibility Requirements

  You can get funding through CDAP if your business:
  is a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
  is registered or incorporated
  is consumer-facing (sells goods and services directly to end consumers)
  has at least one employee (other than the owner) OR had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year 
  commits to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months
  agrees to participate in follow-up surveys, share data about the experience, and have its name published as a grant recipient

  Your business is not eligible if it is:
  a corporate chain, franchise or registered charity
  a representative of a multi-level marketing company
  a brokerage firm, such as real estate agents, investment advisors, insurance agents, etc.
  a business that is engaged in online reselling or drop-shipping reliant on third-party suppliers
  a wholesale or distribution business and manufacturer (unless you sell directly to consumers)

• Application Process
  You can apply in 4 easy steps!
  Step 1: Create your account.
  Step 2: Confirm your eligibility.
  Step 3: Work with a digital advisor from Boost Marketing to develop your digital adoption plan.
  Step 4: Submit your digital adoption plan to receive your grant payment.
• What Costs Are Covered?
  How can you use your grant?
  - To develop a new e-commerce website or add functionality to your existing site (e.g. online reservation/booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments)Redesign of an existing site is not eligible
  - To install an e-commerce platform (including subscription fees/costs)
  - To hire a consultant to help with digital marketing strategies for your e-commerce store that could include activities such as website search optimization and social media advertising.Your grant cannot be used solely for search engine marketing or social media advertising; such uses must be tied to an overall e-commerce implementation plan and not a standalone item
  - To track and manage inventory and sales, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain a loyalty program, or increase cyber security using e-commerce software
  - To pay up to 20% of the total cost of hardware and software
  Eligible costs must be directly tied to the sale of goods and services online.
• What Costs Are NOT Covered?
  
  Ineligible Costs?
  - Internet connectivity
  - Shipping of goods purchased through the e-commerce platform
  - Purchases made prior to grant approval
  - Renewal of digital services such as domain names or software subscriptions (including existing e-commerce subscriptions)
  - Signage and printing
  - Logo redesign and rebranding
  - Owner's salary or current employee salary for executing the project
  - Purchase of land, buildings or vehicles
  - Intangible assets such as goodwill, whether capitalized or expensed
  - Depreciation or amortization expenses
  - Interest on invested capital, bonds or debentures
  - Bond discount
  - Monthly mortgage, loan and/or rent payments
  - Refinancing of an existing debt
  - Losses on investments, bad debts and any other debts
  - Fines or penalties
  - Litigation
  - Fees for administrators, including payments to any member or officer of the business’s board of directors
  - Opportunity costs
  - Hospitality and entertainment costs
  - Franchise fees and/or franchise license costs
  - Lobbyist fees
  - New capital expenditures
  - Consulting fees for submission of CDAP application or any costs not related to the acquisition or set-up of technology solutions