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.

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

Business Ideas & Planning

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.

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

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.

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Third culture cuisine  

Anyone with even a passing interest in the UK’s culinary scene will know that most food trends rise and fall as fast as a soufflé. But third culture cuisine looks set to stay in 2024.

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Holistic pet care 

From pet massage to supplements, holistic pet care offers a goldmine of opportunities for entrepreneurs with a fondness for furry friends...

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: AI consultant

An AI consultant can advise on what AI platforms and tools are out there, which is a service that's highly in-demand in 2024

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Holistic pet care 

From pet massage to supplements, holistic pet care offers a goldmine of opportunities for entrepreneurs with a fondness for furry friends...

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: AI consultant

An AI consultant can advise on what AI platforms and tools are out there, which is a service that's highly in-demand in 2024

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Grow your own food

With sales in veg boxes increasing over the last four years, growing your own produce could be one way to reap a profit in 2024

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: How to make money with ChatGPT

How are workers, organisations, and entrepreneurs using ChatGPT today? And, more pertinently, how can you use it to make money in 2024? 

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Private chef

Becoming a private chef is an especially good business idea if you live in a city and can easily reach clientele who have disposable income. Find out more now

Business Ideas & Planning

Best business ideas for 2024: Day nursery

Childcare is an ongoing, costly challenge for parents. A nursery business can be a lifeline and, can come in many forms, offering a wide range of business opportunities

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Partner content

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance provides cover if somebody sues your business and they allege that your advice caused financial loss or damaged their brand. It’s not just for accountants and lawyers but for anyone offering a personal service, even web designers

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

We've teamed up with the Current Account Switch Service to explain the benefits of switching your business bank account.

Partner content

Business Companion: a reliable voice in the misinformation age

Business Companion is a one-stop-shop for accurate and up-to-date legal guidance, whatever sector you’re in — and it’s all completely free