Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
Regardless of the type of industry you are entering, all potential business owners must conduct proper Market research, this above all else will help you to decide if there is actually an opportunity available for you.
Advice
Advice
Here, Alistair Brown, chief technology officer at BrightHR, explains how businesses can prevent employees from stealing confidential data.
Sole trader
Rebecca Durrant discusses the factors to consider when weighing up sole trader or limited company for your business structure.
Advice
In this article, we look at the ways you represent your business and how you could both strengthen existing relationships and pave the way for new ones.
Startup Funding and Grants
Here's how we can all make an effort to boost our finances.
Advice
Auto enrolment is a necessity for British small businesses but it shouldn’t be onerous. Here, Garry Crackle from Opt Pensions, explores.
Advice
Here, Mike Wilson is CEO of Smart Storage, explains the benefits of small businesses using self-storage units for stock and wares.
Advice
Here, Andrew Clough, founder and managing director of The Brew, gives his input on how to get that all-important edge.
Advice
Here, Mike Wilson is CEO of Smart Storage, explains the benefits of small businesses using self-storage units for stock and wares.
Advice
Here, Andrew Clough, founder and managing director of The Brew, gives his input on how to get that all-important edge.
Startup Funding and Grants
As the amount of money raised through Venture Capitalist Trusts increases by £100 million, we take a look at how small businesses can benefit.
Investing in a franchise
Here are five good reasons why opening a franchise is a great alternative to starting a business from scratch.
Business Ideas & Planning
Here's how Jenny Liu of Bomb Petite is trying to to help petite women find premium fashion from leading independent designers.
Advice
American James Kornacki discusses the perilous road to investment for his wine purification company before taking the brand to the UK.
Business Technology
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
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!
Export & Import
Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world