Category

Running a Business

This section takes you through every important aspect of how to run a successful business. It offers expert guides and advice articles on the key elements of business management such as employing staff, finding customers, marketing and sales, pricing, people management, office and home working, business technology and everything else an entrepreneur must tackle in order to succeed.

Optimising Twitter for business

In this age of 24/7 communication, your consumers are not only people who buy your product or services, but are vital to your online presence and valued members of your marketing team.

Marketing

Marketing

The benefits of direct marketing

Writer and marketer Jenni O’Connor of Kaiku Communications asks if, in today’s economic climate, direct marketing is best.

Legal advice

Choosing a solicitor: How to avoid the pitfalls

Stephen Newman, managing partner of Baxter Caulfield Solicitors, gives advice on how small businesses should take on a solicitor.

Small Business Insurance

The importance of getting the right insurance cover for a small business

Jonathan Willett, director of Henderson Insurance Brokers Teesside, explains why the getting the right insurance cover is crucial for a small business.

Legal advice

Another company is using our brand name, what can we do?

Another company has started up using our name. We are an online shop and have been in business since 2003. We let a domain name slide, a company has bought it, and is selling similar products under the same name. We have had three calls from their unhappy customers thinking it was us. Please help!

Business management

Edward Fanshawe on growing waste management company Skiptrips

Edward Fanshawe set up waste management bidding site Skiptrips in 2012 and looks to turn over £250,000 in his first year of trading.

Finding and selling to customers

Bartering in business

Exchanging goods and services is increasingly popular in a cash-strapped economy. SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at three companies engaging in the practice.

Business Technology

New innovations increasing e-commerce sales

The best e-commerce websites have moved far beyond being online brochures or catalogues. Ben Lobel looks at an array of innovations which are helping to draw consumers and brands ever closer together.

Finding and selling to customers

Bartering in business

Exchanging goods and services is increasingly popular in a cash-strapped economy. SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at three companies engaging in the practice.

Business Technology

New innovations increasing e-commerce sales

The best e-commerce websites have moved far beyond being online brochures or catalogues. Ben Lobel looks at an array of innovations which are helping to draw consumers and brands ever closer together.

Employing & managing staff

Can I make long-standing staff member redundant?

Can I legally make redundant staff who have been employed longer on the books and who do the same hours as subcontractors, while keeping the subcontractors employed?

Employing & managing staff

Casual worker asking for p45

I had a casual worker (no contract) working two hours a day for one or two days a week. She is now asking for p45 and wage slips. This person has some property that belongs to my company and she will not return it until I produce the p45. What is my move?

Business management

Gem Misa on launching food brand Righteous

Gem Misa started natural food company Righteous in 2009 and turned over £120,000 in 2011. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to her about funding, marketing and future plans.

Small Business Insurance

How to get the right business insurance

If you're self-employed or you run a small business, it's important you get the right business insurance cover in place.

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.