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.

Example business plans

Where can I find an example of a business plan?

Business Ideas & Planning

Business Ideas & Planning

4 tips to prepare for Brexit uncertainty – whatever happens

The threat of a hard Brexit has not gone away, it’s just been postponed. Manufacturer Victoria Brocklesby shares her tips for coping with the ongoing uncertainty

Advice

The essential guide to starting a business in Nottingham

If you've ever thought of starting a business in Nottingham but weren't quite sure, we'll show you the pros and cons of life in the city.

Advice

Starting a business with your spouse: A small business guide

In this piece, we give some tips on how to make a success of going into business with your spouse.

Advice

The essential guide to starting a business in Oxford

Oxford is a very popular spot for starting a business, so we thought we'd look at what it's like to be based there.

Investing in a franchise

What franchise support should you get from a franchisor?

Tim Harris, managing director at ChipsAway and Ovenclean, part of Franchise Brands, explains what you should expect from a franchisor during your business journey.

Setting up a company

The essential guide to starting a business in Bristol

If you're looking into starting a business in Bristol, this guide may help to answer some of the questions rattling around your mind

Alternative finance

5 reasons why SEIS and EIS are the best funding routes for tech startups

Tax-based startup funding raised through the Government’s SEIS and EIS schemes is amplified if you work with a tech startup specialist, argues Alistair Marsden.

Setting up a company

The essential guide to starting a business in Bristol

If you're looking into starting a business in Bristol, this guide may help to answer some of the questions rattling around your mind

Alternative finance

5 reasons why SEIS and EIS are the best funding routes for tech startups

Tax-based startup funding raised through the Government’s SEIS and EIS schemes is amplified if you work with a tech startup specialist, argues Alistair Marsden.

Setting up a company

The essential guide to starting a business in Birmingham

Is Birmingham the right place for starting your business? We explore the city's key lifestyle indicators and speak to firms who set up there.

Advice

Where to get support when starting a new business

There’s no need to go it alone – here are four places where you can get the support you need when starting up a new business

Setting up a company

Entrepreneur Q&A: Peter Hillary, co-founder of Edmund Hillary clothing

Edmund Hillary's son, Peter, tells us about recreating Edmund’s expedition gear in a new clothing line and keeping his father's legacy alive.

Setting up a company

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

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.