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.

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Les Dawson, Uniblock

Les Dawson was facing an uphill battle trying to change the minds of Britain’s conservative housebuilders with his Uniblock building system. Until The Start-Up Series gave him the investment – and validation – he needed

Success stories

Starting a Business

New company launches fell by a quarter between January and May

But company registrations bounced back in May, just 3% down year on year as entrepreneurs take the plunge.

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Andy Roberts, Weekly10

Andy Roberts didn't know he'd launch an employee engagement platform when he began his career in financial services. He tells us how The Start-Up Series benefitted the business .

Startup Funding and Grants

7 funding choices when it comes to financing your start-up

You’ve got some inspirational market insight and created the killer idea for a business. You can see where the revenue will come from, and with a healthy margin. But what about the investment you’ll need to get it up and running?

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Nick James, Bedfolk

Nick and Jo James, co-founders of online bedding company Bedfolk, sold their flat to fund their online bedding business. Here Nick talks about what difference winning the Start-Up Series has made and why getting into bed with Worth Capital was so important

Sole trader

IR35 freelance tax changes will go ahead in April 2021 – are you ready?

MPs vote through IR35 tax reform, bringing thousands of freelance contractors within PAYE for the first time

Advice

Top 10 tips for single parents who want to start their own business

Single parents start their new businesses with less money than most start-ups and they work longer hours. Joanna Morris shares 10 tips to make your single-mum (or dad) business a success

Advice

How to start a freelance career in the UK – a beginner’s guide

Freelancing expert Dave Chaplin explains how to set your freelance rate, the importance of tailoring your CV and where to find your next project.

Advice

Top 10 tips for single parents who want to start their own business

Single parents start their new businesses with less money than most start-ups and they work longer hours. Joanna Morris shares 10 tips to make your single-mum (or dad) business a success

Advice

How to start a freelance career in the UK – a beginner’s guide

Freelancing expert Dave Chaplin explains how to set your freelance rate, the importance of tailoring your CV and where to find your next project.

Business Ideas & Planning

5 best ideas to start a small business post coronavirus

With many facing redundancy as businesses emerge from lockdown and those on furlough lose their jobs, here are five low-cost ideas for starting your own business post Covid-19

Starting a Business

Clear the clutter: stop junk mail with LegalZoom

Swamped with direct mail marketing flyers? What about suspicious junk mail trying to scam you? LegalZoom’s Registered Agent service sifts your mail before it reaches your home address, protecting you and your business

Starting a Business

How LegalZoom protects your private address – keep your home safe

Don’t offer your home address as your business address. Protect your privacy and that of your family by using a Registered Agent service

Starting a Business

Protecting your privacy – keep your business address separate

We all shield our personal lives on social media, so why should your business be any different? LegalZoom’s Registered Agent protects your personal address.

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.