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.

How to bootstrap and avoid consultants when growing your business

Here, Rune Sovndahl, ‎CEO and co-founder at Fantastic Services, gives us some bootstrapping tips to save money for small businesses.

Advice

Advice

How I started and grew my architecture business

Here, we talk to Jon Beswick, about the African inspiration for his business, acquiring a Golden Globe-winning client, and the power of word of mouth for marketing.

Startup Funding and Grants

A guide to boosting your investment chances

Greg Gormley of Bink tells us how small businesses can boost their chances of getting investment.

Business Ideas & Planning

How to start and grow an innovative creative agency

Here, Neil Hughston talks about how he grew his creative agency business and learned from the failures in his previous company.

Advice

Bridging the Brexit skills gap

Here, Jake Madders, director at Hyve Managed Hosting, tells us how businesses can prepare to bridge the skills gap after Brexit.

Startup Funding and Grants

Five reasons why taking out a loan could save your business

Here, we look at some of the most common reasons for a small business to take out a loan.

Advice

How to take your small business to the next level

Here, Andrew Heppinstall of Pebble Grey looks at what steps small businesses need to take to grow to the next level.

Advice

Strategies in building a successful business

Building a successful business takes time and dedication. Here are some tips to help you build a better and more successful company.

Advice

How to take your small business to the next level

Here, Andrew Heppinstall of Pebble Grey looks at what steps small businesses need to take to grow to the next level.

Advice

Strategies in building a successful business

Building a successful business takes time and dedication. Here are some tips to help you build a better and more successful company.

Startup Funding and Grants

Venture Capital Trusts: Investing in UK growth and productivity

How VCTs can help UK SMEs expand and grow benefiting both the SME and end investors through tax-efficient savings.

Advice

Snap election: SMEs should plan for more short-term turmoil

Here, Salvador Amico of Menzies LLP, discusses how the Snap election this June could affect British small businesses.

Advice

French election: How UK businesses can ready themselves for uncertainty

Here, Jake Trask, FX research director at OFX, gives us advice on how businesses can prepare for the impact of the French Presidential Election.

Advice

DIY SEO: Using internal links to improve your SEO strategy

Here, Simon Schnieders, founder of Blue Array, tells us how to make the most of our SEO strategy online.

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.