If you’re a Prince Edward Island business without a website—or one that can’t sell online—the Web Presence Assistance (PEI) program can help cover the cost. This non‑repayable grant supports eligible website and e‑commerce expenses so Island businesses and local not‑for‑profits can reach customers and increase sales online.
This guide breaks down which website expenses are eligible, how funding works, and how to avoid common application issues.
Web Presence Assistance is a provincial program delivered by Innovation PEI. It provides cost‑shared funding to help:
The funding is non‑repayable, meaning you don’t pay it back if you meet the program conditions.
To be eligible, you must:
Not eligible:
Fishers, farmers, realty companies, and businesses with defaulted provincial debt are excluded.
Understanding eligible website expenses is critical. Innovation PEI only reimburses costs that clearly support building or improving your online presence.
Web Presence Assistance (PEI) may cover the following website and e‑commerce costs:
These expenses must be directly related to your website or e‑commerce project.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and business stage in seconds, so you don’t waste time on ineligible costs.
Some common website‑related costs are not covered, including:
Always tie each expense clearly to website creation or e‑commerce improvement.
Web Presence Assistance offers two funding tiers:
Funding is cost‑shared, and total non‑repayable government assistance cannot exceed 75% of total eligible project costs.
You must pay your share first and submit proof of payment for reimbursement.
Claiming marketing costs as website expenses
Ads and social media campaigns are usually ineligible unless directly tied to website functionality.
Applying without itemized quotes
Innovation PEI expects clear cost breakdowns for each eligible website expense.
Assuming all e‑commerce upgrades qualify
Enhancements must add real selling capability, not cosmetic changes only.
Ignoring funding history rules
If you received Web Presence Assistance in the last two years, your application will be declined.
Q: What is the Web Presence Assistance program in PEI?
Web Presence Assistance is a non‑repayable provincial grant that helps PEI businesses and local not‑for‑profits create or upgrade a website, including adding e‑commerce functionality.
Q: What website costs are eligible under Web Presence Assistance?
Eligible website expenses include design, development, hosting, domain registration, e‑commerce tools, SEO setup, and website‑specific content creation.
Q: How much funding can I receive?
Applicants can receive up to $1,000 (Tier 1) or $2,500 (Tier 2), with cost‑sharing rules and a 75% stacking limit for government funding.
Q: Can non‑profits apply for Web Presence Assistance?
Yes. Local not‑for‑profit organizations based in PEI are eligible if the project meets program requirements.
Q: Can I combine this grant with other funding?
Yes, but total non‑repayable government contributions cannot exceed 75% of eligible project costs.
If your business is planning a website or e‑commerce upgrade, confirming eligible website expenses early can save weeks of back‑and‑forth. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including provincial digital support programs like Web Presence Assistance, so you can see what fits your business profile.
See also:
Taking the time to align your project scope with eligible expenses gives you the best chance of approval—and faster reimbursement.
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