Setting up your business

What’s your business idea?

6 small business ideas for 2023

Here are six ideas to start your small business in our post coronavirus world of change and uncertainty.

Five business ideas that are bound to click

To help you make the right decision on what type of company to start, here are five business ideas to consider.

What emerging business ideas could boom in the future?

UK entrepreneurs are looking to take advantage of the next emerging business trends which could boom in the near future and beyond.

Escaping the nine to five: can I turn my passion into a business?

Mattel, Harley Davidson and Disney all started out as side hustles. How can you turn your passion project into a business and escape your day job?

Top five online businesses you can start today

Groundbreaking digital business ideas have found their beginnings in humble garages, dorm rooms, and home offices. Here are some ideas to consider implementing for an online businesses.

Buying a business rather than starting up – is this a better route?

In partnership with BusinessesForSale.com, we explore whether buying a business an existing business is better than starting your own


How to market research your business idea?



How market research can boost your marketing strategy

Here, we look at how businesses can use market research to make better business decisions that maintain their competitive edge.

Why market research is so important for a start-up business

We look at why market research is so important for start-ups and the different types of research you can do.

Fewer than 1 in 10 small businesses set up because they spot market gap

Only 3pc of SMEs go into business because they want to be ‘next big thing’, says business lender Iwoca

How to do your market research on a shoestring budget

Jane Frost CBE, CEO of the Market Research Society, talks about how you can do useful market research, even on a tight budget.


What’s your USP?



The importance of defining your unique selling point

Innovate UK runs down the top tips for finding and defining your unique selling point and boost your sales.

Three tests to measure the strength of your USP

Getting your USP right is critical to business success. In this piece, we look at three tests businesses can use to trial and develop their USP.


Decide on a business name



How to choose the perfect name for your business

In this piece, David Weiner explores the importance of finding the right name for your small business.

Getting and setting up a business domain name

In partnership with the UK Domain, we explore the process of getting and setting up a domain name for your business.

How to choose a great name for your new business

Keith Tully of RBR Advisory shares a step-by-step guide to choosing and registering the name of your new business


How to draw up a business plan



How to get more from your business plan

Jonathan Dowden, Product Marketing Manager at Sage, argues for a new approach to business plans, one in which bulky, static documents are eschewed in favour of practical information that changes as fast as the markets they describe.

Top tips for writing the perfect business plan

In this piece, we provide essential pointers on how to write the perfect business plan to help your company succeed.

Five good reasons why franchisees should develop a business plan

Here are five reasons why all franchisees should consider the franchise business plan as a crucial part of their franchising journey.

Eight elements that need to be in your business plan

A business plan is vital for business creation. If you are struggling to write your business plan, we have eight handy tips to help you on your way.

Planuary: How to create a business plan in four weeks

In this piece, Tim Sawyer presents a four-week business plan to help your small business get started.

Example business plans

Where can I find an example of a business plan?


Are you a sole trader or a limited company?



What is a sole trader? A small business guide

Here, Emily Coltman, chief accountant at FreeAgent, investigates one very popular structure for new business owners: sole tradership.

Should you register as a sole trader or a limited company?

Mart Abramov, CEO of TaxScouts, shares the positives and negatives of being a sole trader or a limited company, so you can make the best choice for your growing business.

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.

How to become a sole trader

Setting up as a self-employed sole trader is a simple way to start a business. In this guide, we show you how to do it.


How to register your company



Registering a company name – a Small Business guide

Your Small Business guide to registering a UK company name at Companies House.

Legally registering your small business in the UK

This article explores the steps needed to register your small business in the UK, some of the pitfalls to be avoided and entities that can help do the heavy lifting for you.

To what address should I register my business?

I am going to start up a new business. I don’t want to register my home address, although I will be using my home as my office. What are my options and can I do this?