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 Technology

Five ways small businesses can compete with giants in SEO

There are a few techniques you can execute that can give you the edge in SEO. Here, we take a look at them.

News

British Small Business Awards 2018: Final shortlist released!

The British Small Business Awards will once more celebrate the leading companies and individuals across the SME ecosystem. Here is the complete shortlist for every category that will be celebrated on the night.

Marketing

PR and communications: how David can take on Goliath with the right message

Here are a few simple tips to consider for when you are planning your first, or next PR campaign.

Finding and selling to customers

How to turn your customers into a community

How do you successfully build a customer community that feels organic and genuinely valuable rather than forced? Read on for some top tips.

News

British Small Business Awards winners: Chris McCullough of Rotageek

Rotageek, a technology company that creates data-driven employee schedules, won the Small Business of the Year gong at the 2017 British Small Business Awards. Here, we chat to CEO and co-founder Chris McCoullough about the win.

Finding and selling to customers

Why focusing on your company’s average transaction value is key

In this article, we look at one of the key factors that affects both sales and profits in a small business: average transaction value.

Business management

The power of charismatic leadership in a small business

What constitutes 'charisma' in a business leader and why is it important? Here, we talk to small company figureheads about what the concept means to them.

Investing in a franchise

Six steps to franchising your business

From choosing franchisees to providing specialist training, aspiring franchisors must ensure they follow all the right steps to make their operation a success. Here are some best practice tips to franchising a business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Registering your business: sole trader or limited company? 

Here, we speak to four small business owners about the decisions they faced when registering their company and what influenced their choices.

Business Technology

Small business cyber security: An essential guide

Cyber attacks can be a massive upheaval for small businesses. In this piece, we speak to company owners who were hit by malware and share top tips for mastering small business cyber security.

Marketing

Marketing planning: Getting your business the exposure it needs

SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to company owners that focused on a strong marketing push and reveal essential insight into the paths they took to get the message out.

Employing & managing staff

The key qualities to look for in a candidate’s CV

Here are some pointers for small businesses on identifying the best candidates through their CVs.