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 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

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.

Setting up a company

Top tips on what to consider when choosing a business location

Research from Love Energy Savings reveals that North Scotland has the highest business energy rates in the UK.

Advice

Seven tips for a young entrepreneur

As a young entrepreneur, you may feel that age and experience is stacked against you, but here is how you can use your age to your advantage.

Setting up a company

Top tips on what to consider when choosing a business location

Research from Love Energy Savings reveals that North Scotland has the highest business energy rates in the UK.

Advice

Seven tips for a young entrepreneur

As a young entrepreneur, you may feel that age and experience is stacked against you, but here is how you can use your age to your advantage.

Setting up a company

Thinking of starting a business? Why not consider one of these?

Tired of answering to the big man? Looking for a new challenge? Want to be your own boss? Then you are reading the right article.

Advice

Learn from the greats’ mistakes – PR crisis management for small businesses

SMEs need to consider crisis management and the importance of reputation just as much as larger companies.

Work life balance

A psychological perspective on dealing with the stress of running a business

Here, Jim Cummings outlines how to frame your business and life so that you can enjoy the journey.

Business Ideas & Planning

The food entrepreneur: Building a national brand from scratch

In this piece, we speak to food entrepreneur Julie Waddell about getting her product on British Airways flights, production line scares and diversifying the range.

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