Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
Marketing
Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is in essence the theory and practice of getting a website onto the first page of 'natural' (sometimes called 'organic') search results on the important search engines for important keywords.
News
Increased demand for healthy food makes health food businesses good investments for franchisees, according to Franchise Magazine.
News
SMEs that outsource staff and contracts 'do think they might lose control so they try and take steps to make sure that doesn't happen'.
Legal advice
Q: Do I need any health & safety qualifications and food hygiene certificates before I can open a sandwich shop?
News
Young entrepreneurs today are increasingly identifying with the founders of Innocent Drinks rather than hard-nosed tycoon Sir Alan Sugar, the Financial Times reports.
Startup Funding and Grants
Julia Chanteray, resident business expert on Channel 4's Risking It All programme, founded business advice and mentoring service The Joy of Business to help small firms through the difficult early years of growth. SmallBusiness.co.uk caught up with Chanteray and asked her to share some pearls of wisdom on the funding routes available for small firms.
News
Small firms are being warned to prepare for new employee sexual harassment rights following a major High Court ruling.
Employing & managing staff
Small firms may not be getting the best out of their staff because they are failing to offer them adequate incentives, says business finance firm Bibby Financial Services.
Advice
If you're thinking about starting a small business you need to avoid rose-tinted spectacles and consider the challenges you will face as well as the benefits you'll reap.
Alternative finance
Waiting for invoices to be paid before investing the proceeds in your business can seriously impede growth. SmallBusiness.co.uk examines how factoring and invoice discounting can speed up expansion.
Legal advice
As a business owner you'll be required to sign hundreds of contractual agreements with suppliers, customers and shareholders. But what happens if circumstances change and you want to get out of a contract?
Business Ideas & Planning
Considering seeking business fortunes Down Under? Then there are a set of steps you will need to take, including devising a thorough business plan, settling on a suitable business structure, and scouring the local market to ensure there's sufficient demand for your service or product.