UP Grant for Website
Starting a business in Bytom and need a website? Learn how to get up to 20,000 PLN grant from the Employment Office for a professional WWW site.
Starting your own business is an exciting step, but it also comes with significant expenses. A website is absolutely essential for any business today, but creating one can significantly burden a new entrepreneur’s budget. The good news is that the Employment Office (Urząd Pracy) can help finance this crucial element of your business.
In this guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of obtaining a website grant from the Employment Office, with specific focus on Bytom and the entire Silesia region.
Key terms related to UP grants
- UP Grant – non-refundable funding from the Employment Office for starting a business.
- Own contribution – funds you must pay from your own pocket (usually 10-20% of costs).
- Eligible costs – expenses that can be financed by the grant (e.g., website, equipment, marketing).
- Business plan – document describing the business plan, necessary to obtain the grant.
- Fixed assets – company assets valued over 10,000 PLN, amortized for at least 2 years.
Who can get a UP grant for a website?
Not everyone can apply for a grant from the Employment Office. You must meet specific criteria that vary depending on the particular program, but most commonly include:
Main target groups:
- Unemployed persons registered at the Employment Office (minimum 12 months without employment)
- Graduates of post-secondary and higher education (within 12 months of diploma)
- People under 30 (from the “First business - Start-up support” program)
- Women returning to the labor market after maternity leave
Additional requirements:
- No business activity in the last year
- No criminal record for economic offenses
- Full legal capacity
- Residence within the UP’s operational area
Good to know: In Bytom and throughout the Silesian Voivodeship, several grant programs are available. It’s worth monitoring the websites of the Bytom County Employment Office and the Silesian Voivodeship Office.
How does a website fit into eligible costs?
The good news is that a website is one of the costs that the Employment Office is most willing to finance. Committees reviewing applications perfectly understand that in today’s world, a company practically doesn’t exist without a professional website.
What exactly can you finance with the grant?
1. Website design and development
- Creating a unique graphic design
- Writing website code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Implementing a content management system (CMS), e.g., WordPress
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
2. Technical website elements
- Domain name for the first year
- Hosting and server for the first year of operation
- SSL certificate (connection security)
- Business email addresses in the company domain
3. Additional functionalities
- Contact form and integrated booking system
- Photo gallery or portfolio
- Online payment system (if you run e-commerce)
- Social media integration
4. Content and multimedia
- Professional product or service photos
- Writing website content
- Company mini-logo
- Video presentations (optional)
Funding limit: You can typically get up to 20,000 PLN for a website, but the exact amount depends on the total grant value and program specifics.
Step by step: How to apply for a website grant?
The process of obtaining a grant may seem complicated, but broken down into stages, it becomes clear and achievable.
Step 1: Prepare basic documentation
Before you start writing the application, gather necessary documents:
- ID card
- Unemployment status certificate (if applicable)
- Diplomas and certificates
- NIP number
Step 2: Write a business plan
This is a key document! You must convince the committee that your business has a chance of success.
Business plan must include:
- Description of planned business and industry
- Market and competition analysis (including local in Bytom)
- Marketing and sales plan
- Detailed action timeline
- Budget with detailed cost breakdown
Important: In the budget section, detail the website costs. Justify why a professional website is essential for your business.
Step 3: Collect offers from contractors
The Employment Office requires at least 2-3 offers from different contractors. This is an important stage!
What do officials require:
- Offers on company letterhead
- Detailed scope of services description
- Net and gross prices
- Implementation deadline
- Warranty period
How to find contractors in Bytom?
- Search “website creation Bytom” in Google
- Check local business portals
- Ask in Facebook groups for entrepreneurs from Silesia
- Ask for recommendations from other business owners
Step 4: Complete the application
When you have the business plan and offers, it’s time for formalities.
Required documents:
- Grant application
- Business plan
- Contractor offers
- Copies of personal documents
- Certificates and diplomas
Step 5: Qualifying interview
If your application passes formal verification, you’ll be invited to interview with the committee.
Prepare for questions:
- Why did you choose this industry?
- What is your experience?
- Have you conducted local market analysis?
- Why exactly do you need this type of website?
Step 6: Sign agreement and implementation
If you receive the grant, you’ll sign an agreement with the Employment Office and have a specified time to implement the project (usually 3-6 months).
How to choose a website contractor for the UP grant?
Choosing the right agency is key to success. Remember that the money comes from public funds, so it must be spent wisely.
What to look for in a contractor?
1. Experience and portfolio
- Ask for examples of completed websites
- Check if sites work properly and quickly
- Call their clients and ask about cooperation quality
2. Location and availability
- Prefer companies from the region (easier contact)
- Check if they offer post-implementation support
- Ask about technical problem response time
3. Technology and optimization
- Ensure the website will be responsive (work on phones)
- Check if the contractor cares about SEO
- Ask about website loading speed
4. Documentation
- Does the contractor issue proper VAT invoices?
- Do they provide technical documentation?
- Do they transfer copyright to the website?
Market prices: In Bytom and Silesia, a professional website for a small business costs 1500-5000 PLN. Avoid suspiciously cheap offers (below 1000 PLN) – these are often template solutions of low quality.
Mistakes to avoid when applying for a grant
Based on my experience working with local companies from Bytom, I’ve prepared a list of the most common mistakes:
Business plan mistakes:
- Too general business description – committee doesn’t see specifics
- Lack of local market analysis – you don’t know who your competitors in Bytom are
- Unrealistic financial forecasts – you promise to earn 100,000 PLN in the first month
- Weak justification for website necessity – you write “website is pretty” instead of “website will help get clients from Google”
Formal mistakes:
- Incomplete documents – missing one of the offers or certificates
- Offers without details – contractor writes “website WWW 2000 PLN” without description
- Too low own contribution – some programs require minimum 10-20% of your own money
Interview mistakes:
- Lack of knowledge about your own business plan – committee sees someone else wrote the document
- Low motivation – you seem to treat it as “extra money”
- Lack of substantive preparation – you don’t know business basics
Summary: How to increase your chances of getting a grant?
Most important advice:
- Be realistic – committees review hundreds of applications and can recognize naive plans
- Show local grounding – emphasize that your business will operate in Bytom
- Choose a proven contractor – don’t save on quality because the money isn’t yours anyway
- Prepare professionally – treat it like serious business, not a budget supplement
Remember: Funding from the Employment Office is non-refundable money that can significantly accelerate your business growth. A professional website is the foundation on which you’ll build your online brand.
Need a professional website for a UP grant?
If you’re planning to apply for a grant from the Employment Office in Bytom or the surrounding area, I’ll gladly help you at every stage:
- Prepare a professional offer adapted to UP requirements
- Design and develop a website that meets all criteria
- Take care of SEO optimization so your company is visible in Google
- Provide complete documentation necessary for grant settlement
Schedule a free consultation and learn how I can help you get funding for your website.
👉 Prefer phone? Call +48 697 433 120 or email contact@qualixsoftware.com. I help entrepreneurs from Bytom and all of Silesia.
FAQ
Can I finance only domain and hosting with the grant?
Yes, but a full website has much better chances of positive committee decision. The Employment Office looks at whether the investment will actually support your business.
Do I need to have my own contribution?
Yes, most programs require 10-20% own contribution of total costs. If your website costs 5000 PLN, you need to have 500-1000 PLN from your own pocket.
What if I don’t get the grant? Do I lose money?
The application process itself is free. You only spend money after signing the agreement and only when you’re sure of funding.
Can I change the contractor after receiving the grant?
Changes are possible only with Employment Office approval and must be very well justified. That’s why choosing the right contractor at the application stage is so important.
How long does it take to get a grant decision?
Standardly, the process takes 1-3 months from submitting a complete application. It’s worth submitting documents as early as possible not to delay the business start.
See Also
- How to choose hosting and domain for a company in Bytom – technical tips for beginners
- Professional website for small business in Bytom – complete guide – step by step through website creation process
- Best SEO practices 2025 for local businesses in Bytom – how to get clients from Google
Start planning your grant today, and in a few months, you could have a professional website financed with EU funds!