Category

Starting a Business

Advice on how to start your own business, with guides to help you plan, develop and finance a start-up company, plus recommendations on registering the business, its legal structure and finding financial backing for growth. Whether you are just beginning or have already taken the first steps and want to keep everything on track, our expert articles will give you the knowledge to help lead you to success, whilst maintaining a good work-life balance.

Starting a business can initially seem daunting, but with good support and a strong idea you can quickly pass through the key stages of the setting-up process and be able to launch your company with a solid foundation.

Topics covered include: regulations and requirements for company owners, finding and selecting the professional services you may need (such as banking, insurance, accountancy etc.), legal structure options (self-employed person, sole trader, a partnership or a limited company), business planning, UK start up funding sources and finding your first customers.

The best cities in the UK to start a street food business

Setting up a street food business can be tough but incredibly rewarding and profitable. Here are the best cities in Britain to start.

Advice

Small Business Banking

Best business bank accounts for sole traders

We’ve rounded up some of the best business bank accounts created with sole traders in mind

Business Ideas & Planning

The best business ideas for 2024 

From going solo as a private chef or graphic designer to launching a nursery or your own food growing enterprise, we’ve got a range of ideas for everyone

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Sole trader

What business insurance do I need as a sole trader?

What are the main types of business insurance for a sole trader and what if I’m working from home?

Business Ideas & Planning

How to start a dog walking business

For those who love pooches and want to set up a dog walking business, check out this guide to learn more about how to do it

Sole trader

What is the definition of a sole trader and being self-employed

What does it mean to be a 'sole trader'? Is there any difference between a sole trader and being ‘self employed’?

Advice

List of small business associations and networking groups

Business associations and networks offer SME owners and entrepreneurs useful resources to help them grow their companies.

Sole trader

What is the definition of a sole trader and being self-employed

What does it mean to be a 'sole trader'? Is there any difference between a sole trader and being ‘self employed’?

Advice

List of small business associations and networking groups

Business associations and networks offer SME owners and entrepreneurs useful resources to help them grow their companies.

Business Ideas & Planning

A small business guide to self employment

Being self-employed means, you are captain of your own ship. But there are key decisions to make before you quit full-time employment, unless you want your ship to run aground

Sole trader

Tax advantages of a limited company versus sole trader

Haydn Rogan explains the tax advantages and disadvantages of status as a limited company and as a sole trader

Government Grants

Applying for a small business grant – everything you need to know

We'll take you through what type of small business grant you should apply for, how to prepare and how to increase your chance of success.

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Vehicle leasing host

Our cars spend 96% of their time sitting on a driveway, so being a vehicle leasing host could bring in plenty of passive income.

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?

Partner content

Why your business should switch to a broadband-based phone network

Analogue phone systems are increasingly being replaced by smarter broadband based networks – here’s why you should consider switching

Partner content

Streamlining document management for your small business

David Malan, sales director of DocuWare for the UK and Ireland, explains how the platform can streamline your document management