Using PSG Grant for Website Development: Up to 50% Subsidy for Singapore SMEs

Using PSG Grant for Website Development: Up to 50% Subsidy for Singapore SMEs

PSG-Eligible Website Solutions Explained

A professional website is the foundation of your digital presence and often the first touchpoint for potential customers. Yet many Singapore SMEs operate with outdated websites or no website at all, largely because professional web design and development requires significant investment. The PSG grant website development programme addresses this barrier by subsidising up to 50 per cent of pre-approved solutions.

Pre-approved website solutions generally fall into several tiers. Standard corporate websites include design, development and launch of a professional business website with five to fifteen pages, responsive design, contact forms, basic SEO optimisation, CMS access and Google Analytics integration. E-commerce websites include full online store functionality with product catalogue management, shopping cart, payment gateways, shipping configuration and inventory tracking. Advanced digital presence packages bundle website development with email marketing integration, chatbot functionality, CRM integration and marketing automation.

The PSG only funds solutions listed on the GoBusiness portal. Custom website development projects with non-listed vendors, even if they meet the same specifications, are not eligible. Always verify your vendor and solution package on the official portal before proceeding.

Corporate Websites vs E-Commerce Sites

Corporate websites are suitable for service-based businesses, professional firms, consultancies, healthcare practices and other businesses where the primary goal is to present information, build credibility and generate enquiries. A typical corporate site includes a home page, about page, service pages, blog section, contact page and testimonials or case studies.

E-commerce websites are necessary for businesses selling products online — retail shops, F&B businesses with delivery, consumer brands and wholesale operations. They require additional functionality including product management, payment processing, order fulfilment workflows and customer account management.

Some businesses need elements of both. A professional services firm might want a corporate website with a small e-commerce section for selling courses or consultation packages. The PSG grant website development amount may differ between corporate and e-commerce categories, reflecting different complexity levels. Check the current grant caps on the GoBusiness portal.

What Website Development Costs Are Covered

Covered: Web design and development (UI/UX design, responsive coding, CMS integration), domain and hosting for the initial period, CMS setup and configuration (typically WordPress), basic SEO optimisation including meta tags, heading structure and sitemap, Google Analytics 4 setup, SSL certificate, payment gateway integration for e-commerce, staff training and initial content migration.

Not covered: Ongoing hosting fees after the initial period, professional copywriting and photography, ongoing website maintenance and security updates, custom integrations beyond the pre-approved package, and paid advertising such as Google Ads or social media campaigns to drive traffic to your new website.

Eligibility Criteria

Your business must meet standard PSG criteria: Singapore registration with valid UEN, group annual sales not exceeding $100 million or group employment not exceeding 200 employees, at least 30 per cent local shareholding, no contract signed or payment made before approval and the website solution must be used for Singapore business operations. All entity types are eligible — companies, sole proprietorships, partnerships and LLPs.

How to Select the Right Vendor

Choosing the right vendor is the most important decision in your PSG website project. Evaluate portfolio quality by reviewing live websites the vendor has built, testing their user experience, navigation and loading speed. Assess platform expertise — if you need WordPress, choose a vendor with deep WordPress expertise.

Evaluate SEO competence — a vendor that understands site architecture, page speed optimisation and schema markup will deliver a website that performs better in search from day one. Understand post-launch support — maintenance plans, responsiveness and cost. Ask about communication and process — design revisions included, milestone timelines and feedback mechanisms. Request client references from past PSG clients for first-hand feedback on project experience.

Cost Breakdowns and Subsidy Examples

Basic corporate website ($5,500): Five-page responsive site (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact) on WordPress with basic SEO, Google Analytics, SSL, contact form and one-year hosting. PSG subsidy: $2,750. Nett cost: $2,750.

Professional corporate website ($9,500): Ten-page responsive site with custom design, blog, team profiles, portfolio, comprehensive SEO, social media integration, live chat, content migration and staff training. PSG subsidy: $4,750. Nett cost: $4,750.

E-commerce website ($15,000): Full online store with up to 100 products, shopping cart, payment gateways (PayNow, credit card, GrabPay), shipping configuration, order management, SEO optimisation, email marketing integration, one-year hosting and comprehensive training. PSG subsidy: $7,500. Nett cost: $7,500.

Advanced digital presence ($22,000): Fifteen-page corporate site with e-commerce module, blog, resource centre, CRM integration, marketing automation, chatbot, content marketing tools, advanced analytics and multilingual support. PSG subsidy: $11,000 (subject to cap). Nett cost: $11,000.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Step 1: Define your website requirements — pages needed, functionality, integrations and design preferences.

Step 2: Browse pre-approved solutions on the GoBusiness portal. Shortlist three to four vendors matching your requirements.

Step 3: Request and compare quotations. Compare scope, inclusions, platform, timeline and post-launch support.

Step 4: Select your vendor based on quality, value and suitability — not solely on price.

Step 5: Submit the PSG application via BGP through CorpPass. Processing typically takes four to six weeks.

Step 6: Once approved, commence the website project. Most PSG websites take four to twelve weeks from contract signing to launch.

Step 7: After launch and full payment, submit your claim on BGP with invoices and proof of delivery. Then complement your new site with digital marketing activities — SEO, Google Ads, social media and email marketing — to drive qualified visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much PSG subsidy can I get for website development?

The PSG currently supports up to 50 per cent of qualifying costs, subject to a maximum grant cap per solution category. The actual subsidy depends on your chosen solution’s price and the current cap. Always verify the current cap on the GoBusiness portal.

Can I use PSG to redesign an existing website?

Yes. The PSG funds adoption of pre-approved website solutions whether you are building new or replacing an existing site. Ensure your package includes content migration from your old site.

How long does a PSG-funded website project take?

The entire process — vendor selection to launch — typically takes three to six months. This includes application processing (four to six weeks) and development (four to twelve weeks). Allow additional time for content preparation.

Can I choose any web developer for PSG?

No. You must select a vendor and solution listed as pre-approved on the GoBusiness portal. The pre-approval process provides baseline quality assurance, though you should still conduct your own due diligence.

What CMS platforms are available under PSG?

Most pre-approved solutions are built on WordPress, the most widely used CMS globally. Some e-commerce solutions use Shopify or WooCommerce. WordPress offers the greatest flexibility for customisation and long-term content management.

Can I apply for both a corporate website and an e-commerce website?

This depends on whether they are classified as separate solution categories. If they fall under different categories, you may apply for both. Check the GoBusiness portal or contact EnterpriseSG for clarification.

What should I budget for ongoing website maintenance after PSG?

Budget SGD 100 to 300 per month for ongoing maintenance including security updates, plugin updates, content refreshes and performance monitoring. A neglected website becomes a liability rather than an asset. Most vendors offer maintenance plans at these price points.

Can the PSG fund a multilingual website for Singapore’s diverse market?

Some advanced PSG packages include multilingual support, typically English and Chinese. Multilingual functionality adds complexity and cost, so confirm whether your chosen package supports it. For businesses serving Singapore’s diverse population, a bilingual website can significantly expand your reach.

Do I own the website after the PSG project is completed?

Yes, for WordPress-based solutions you typically own the website files and content. Confirm ownership terms in your vendor contract. For hosted platforms like Shopify, you own your content and data but the platform infrastructure remains with Shopify. Ensure your contract clearly states data portability and ownership rights.

What happens if I am unhappy with the vendor’s work?

Address concerns directly with the vendor during the project, using the revision rounds included in your package. If issues cannot be resolved, document everything and contact EnterpriseSG. While PSG approval is for a specific vendor-solution combination, extreme cases may allow vendor changes with proper justification and documentation.