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.

7 advantages of being a sole trader

Business formation is one of the biggest decisions you'll make when starting out. Here are seven key advantages of being a sole trader

Sole trader

Sole trader

6 examples of sole traders

What jobs are best if you want to go self-employed? We look at what it takes to become a personal trainer, a gardener, a hairdresser, a private chef, a photographer or a graphic designer

Business Ideas & Planning

Should I go sole trader, partnership or limited company?

We explore different types of company formation – sole trader, partnership, limited liability partnership and limited company

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

Getting Online

Registering a company name – a Small Business guide

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

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

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

Advice

Checklist for starting a business the simple way

Read our simple 18-item checklist to take you through every step of starting your own business. All your questions answered.

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

Advice

Checklist for starting a business the simple way

Read our simple 18-item checklist to take you through every step of starting your own business. All your questions answered.

Advice

The Questions Most Asked by Small Business Owners

We have compiled a list of the top six questions most frequently put to our panel of business adviser experts.

Advice

How to become an urban beekeeper

Becoming an apiarist could keep you as busy as a bee. So do it with patience, preparation and passion – or don’t do it at all.

Sole trader

5 most common tax mistakes when you’re self-employed

Getting on the wrong side of the taxman can be extremely unpleasant and costly. Simon Thomas offers 5 tips to help you stay out of trouble

Sole trader

Checklist for going self-employed – a Small Business guide

Deciding to go self-employed is a big step for anyone. Follow this guide to going self-employed and be confident. We’ve got your back

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

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.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?

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