Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
We run a small coffee shop. We had mechanical failure at work. We were unable to open so had no income. Our Saturday assistant demanded paying for the day or she would take us to court. What can I do?
Legal advice
Office & home working
Choosing virtual offices can make sense for many start-up companies. SmallBusiness.co.uk examines why.
Business Technology
Mark Boniface, project director at digital agency Jellyfish, gives some tips on producing a user-friendly website for mobile devices.
Business management
Clippy McKenna started food brand Clippy's Limited in 2008 and now has her jellies, chutneys and relishes stocked in the likes of Asda, Tesco and Harvey Nichols.
Business Technology
The task of putting a website out can be riddled with challenges, ranging from getting the right message across to effective search engine optimisation. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to one pub restaurant business about their experience.
Business management
Abi Purser started Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel in 2010, and franchised the business soon after. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to her about starting up.
Buying and selling a company
Mark Copping, partner in Hamlins LLP's corporate department, assesses the pros and cons of auctioning a business.
Marketing
Developments in technology and the popularity of social media have bought many opportunities to small businesses, especially in terms of marketing.
Buying and selling a company
Mark Copping, partner in Hamlins LLP's corporate department, assesses the pros and cons of auctioning a business.
Marketing
Developments in technology and the popularity of social media have bought many opportunities to small businesses, especially in terms of marketing.
Office & home working
Sharing an office with another company can be worthwhile, but not just for cost reasons. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to three companies that do it.
Business management
Nick Evans, technical director of ExtraMile Communications, which specialises in multilingual email marketing campaigns, discusses how messages can be lost in translation when dealing with foreign markets.
Business management
Turnaround specialist Louise Richley started digital signage company Beyond Digital Solutions in 2009 and expects a turnover of £2.5 million this year.
Buying and selling a company
I am looking to self-finance the purchase of a small business. Should I classify this as long-term loan or shareholder's capital?
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Partner content
Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.
Employing & managing staff
In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade