Creating a website or an app: what financial assistance is available in 2025?

Philippe Heyraud
May 8
3 min read

An entrepreneur in front of a screen with a mockup of a website or app being created

Today, having a website or mobile app is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for any business wishing to exist in the digital landscape. However, many project leaders are still hesitant to take the plunge, due to lack of budget or lack of information on available support.

Good news: concrete financial programs exist in France to support VSEs, SMEs, self-employed individuals, artisans, and retailers in their digitalization. Here's an overview of the aid available in 2025 to finance the creation of a website or mobile application.

💶 1. Regional digital checks

Several French regions offer direct assistance to small businesses to finance their digital tools: website creation or redesign, e-commerce, online booking, mobile applications, etc.

🔹 Examples:

Île-de-France: Digital check – Connected commerce ➤ Up to €1,500 , covering 50% of expenses for traders or artisans in the Île-de-France region (website creation, e-reputation, SEO, etc.).
Reunion: Kap Numérik Scheme ➤ Up to €3,200 , with 80% coverage for VSEs with fewer than 10 employees (showcase site, online store, mobile app).
Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Aid for the digital transformation of VSEs ➤ Aid of €5,000 to €50,000 , covering 50% of investments in digitalization projects (site, software, app, etc.).

📌 Please note: This aid is generally subject to conditions (location, number of employees, APE code, etc.) and is administered by regional or inter-municipal councils.

🧾 2. The tax credit for manager training

If you are a business owner and you are taking training to learn how to create or manage a website (e.g. WordPress, SEO, UX, etc.), you can benefit from a specific tax credit .

Amount: up to €450 deductible per year (calculated on 40 hours × hourly minimum wage, doubled since 2022 ).
Eligible: managers of very small businesses or SMEs, regardless of the company's status.

💡 Tip: This credit can be applied even for short or online courses.

🧪 3. The Innovation Tax Credit (ITC)

Are you developing a mobile application or a website with innovative features (e.g., unique algorithm, personalized interface, unique interactive service)? Good news: the Innovation Tax Credit can cover 20% of your expenses , up to €80,000 per year (in mainland France).

For whom? SMEs in the European sense (fewer than 250 employees and <€50 million in turnover).
What expenses? Prototype design, technical development, UX design, etc.

💬 Example: A custom-designed mobile app with a smart booking service or voice interface could fall under this umbrella.

💳 4. Bpifrance public loans

Bpifrance offers several loans to support digital transformation:

🔹 Digital Transformation Loan (Flash or Boost)

Amount: from €5,000 to €75,000 , without personal guarantee
Duration: 3 to 5 years, with deferred repayment
Use: website creation, app development, digital tools, etc.

This loan is particularly suitable for VSEs over 3 years old, looking to take a digital step.

🤝 5. Microcredit for entrepreneurs far from banks

If you cannot access traditional bank loans, structures like ADIE offer microcredits of up to €10,000 to finance:

A showcase or e-commerce site,
Computer equipment,
Digital training.

It is an excellent gateway for self-employed people, freelancers, or micro-entrepreneurs.

🧭 6. How to find the right help for your situation?

Each region and sector can benefit from specific measures. To quickly find the assistance available in your area:

👉 Visit www.francenum.gouv.fr
👉 Explore www.aides-entreprises.fr
👉 Check with your CCI or Chamber of Trades

📌 Conclusion: Dare to go digital… without breaking the bank

Creating a website or mobile app doesn't have to be a hindrance to your business. In 2025, there are plenty of financial aid options available , but they're still relatively unknown to entrepreneurs.

At Espoir Enjeux , we help you identify the assistance you can benefit from and build a digital project adapted to your budget.