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.

Hiring a friend as director

I want to hire a friend as director to help me in my business for no salary. He is working for another company. How can we can do it so his obligations (Tax, NI, SSP) and benefits (pensions) as an employee at his current job will not change?

Legal advice

Business management

Interview with Denise Proctor of baby equipment rental service The Baby Loft

Mum of two Denise Proctor started baby equipment rental service The Baby Loft in 2010 and expects to double its opening year's turnover of £20,000 this year.

Office & home working

Registering home as company address

I want to register my home address as my company address (it will be a limited company). Do I have to inform the landlord and do I have to pay any extra tax?

Employing & managing staff

What the Youth Contract could do for UK SMEs

Small businesses should look into what the Youth Contract could do for them.

Finding and selling to customers

Consumers frustrated by payment card refusals

Nearly a third of the UK public have been inconvenienced in the last year by a retailer not taking payment cards.

Finding and selling to customers

Competing with the big boys

SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at how smaller companies can get ahead when faced with giant competition.

Marketing

Ethical SEO

Mark Blackhurst started SEO Next from a bedroom in 2009 and now turns over £1 million.

Employing & managing staff

What is the simplest way to employ staff on a casual basis?

I am a one-man consultant/product developer and currently have more work that I can cover. What is the simplest way that I can employ staff on a casual or part time basis to help out when required?

Marketing

Ethical SEO

Mark Blackhurst started SEO Next from a bedroom in 2009 and now turns over £1 million.

Employing & managing staff

What is the simplest way to employ staff on a casual basis?

I am a one-man consultant/product developer and currently have more work that I can cover. What is the simplest way that I can employ staff on a casual or part time basis to help out when required?

Marketing

How can I make my website easy to navigate?

I run a small business and am about to launch a new retail website. Can you give me some tips on making my website easy to navigate?

Employing & managing staff

Dress for success – smarten up your appearance at work

The job market is competitive at the moment so looking the part has never been more important.

Business Technology

Continental SMEs more tech-minded

British small businesses place less of an emphasis on technology than their European counterparts, research finds.

Employing & managing staff

Equine-assisted coaching

SmallBusiness.co.uk explores why leadership programmes can be horses for courses.

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.