About

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR.

Government Grants

How to get a business grant from the council

Here, we're bringing you a list of council business grants that are available for your small business

Business management

Essential energy-saving tips for small businesses

There are lots of ways for small businesses to cut down on their energy use and save money; here are some of them.

Business Technology

Choosing the right web hosting provider for your small business

Here's why it's important to choose the right web hosting provider for your business.

Business Technology

The importance of choosing the right web hosting company for small businesses

Several aspects of web hosting must be considered before embarking on a new domain for a small business. There are several competing web hosting companies, making the differences hard to spot, especially if you haven’t owned/managed a web domain before.

Business Loans

Getting small business loans with bad credit

Even a small business owner with bad credit may need to borrow unexpectedly for stock or a sudden car repair. Where can you turn to for a small business loan with bad credit?

Employing & managing staff

A small business guide to the National Living Wage

The new National Living Wage has come into effect for 2026/27. Elaine Pritchard of Moorepay explains what you need to know

Funding your small business

Opening a business bank account – how-to and best accounts

In this piece, we'll look at how to go about opening a business account in the UK and what services are out there.

Business Ideas & Planning

What to know before starting your own cleaning business

We give some pointers on starting your own business in the cleaning sector, including costs, insurance and building your customer base

Funding your small business

A complete list of Scottish business grants

Here, we provide information on the Scottish business grants that could help your company grow and flourish

Accounting

Making Tax Digital (MTD) – HRMC requirements and the best compatible software providers

After the rollout of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT, MTD for Income Tax is being phased in from April 2026

Marketing

The essential guide to small business marketing

In this guide, we look at how small business marketing can be made easy for new company owners.

Sole trader

What is the definition of a sole trader and being self-employed

What does it mean to be a 'sole trader'? Is there any difference between a sole trader and being ‘self employed’?

Ben Lobel

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