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.

Business Ideas & Planning

How to write a marketing plan

This guide offers practical advice on developing and writing a marketing plan using simple English

International Business

EORI number: What it is and how to get or check one

Here, we go through all you need to know about EORI numbers, who should register, how to apply and where to go for more help

Small Business Banking

Do you need a business bank account? Which one is right for you?

Do you need a business bank account and what are the right questions to ask when choosing one?

Marketing

Top social media tips for small businesses

Achieving social media success as a small business requires knowledge of the right platforms, a comprehensive strategy, and persistence. Here, we reveal social media tips to help you succeed

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.