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.

Top tips for creating a clear vision for your business

Business coach Tim Rylatt discusses why having a clear business vision matters and shares his top tips for creating one

Business Ideas & Planning

Setting up a company

8 legal considerations when setting up a business

One of your first legal steps will be to register your business and choose your structure

Business Ideas & Planning

Nine mindset changes that will turn you from employee to entrepreneur

SME specialist business coach Tim Rylatt looks at what needs to happen for an employee to transition into a successful business owner

Starting a Business

Planning for your first year in business

Being organised is key to starting a business. Careful planning and preparation are required if you’re to get through the rollercoaster first 12 months

Investing in a franchise

Why it’s never too late to set up a franchise operation

Rik Hellewell, franchising expert and founder of Ovenu, on the advantages of setting up a franchise in your fifties or even later

Investing in a franchise

Setting up a franchise vs growing a business organically

Franchising expert Rik Hellewell discusses the advantages of setting up a franchise compared to growing a business organically – and shares his tips on why franchising can be the ideal way to expand in business

Sole trader

How to save up to £3,000 in tax being self-employed

Changes in the way the self-employed must report tax mean sole traders could face having to pay an additional £3,000 in tax. Becoming a limited company could reduce your tax bill, says Marcin Durlak

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

How to save up to £3,000 in tax being self-employed

Changes in the way the self-employed must report tax mean sole traders could face having to pay an additional £3,000 in tax. Becoming a limited company could reduce your tax bill, says Marcin Durlak

Getting Online

Registering a company name – a Small Business guide

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

Advice

How to choose a workplace pension provider

If you need to set up a workplace pension for your employees, make sure you know what to consider and which providers are out there

Sole trader

Number of self-employed falls one fifth since Covid-19

IR35 taxation changes, Brexit and Covid-19 blamed for choking off rise in self-employment

Business Ideas & Planning

6 best small business ideas for 2022

What are the best ideas for starting your own business in the post-pandemic world we now live in? Here are six suggestions from becoming a yoga instructor to walking dogs or becoming a social media expert.

Business Ideas & Planning

Five business ideas that are bound to click

To help you make the right decision on what type of company to start, here are five business ideas to consider.

Partner content

Attracting and keeping top talent through Total Reward

Employment benefits specialist, Drewberry, explain why you should base your benefits around a Total Reward Strategy

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Partner content

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance provides cover if somebody sues your business and they allege that your advice caused financial loss or damaged their brand. It’s not just for accountants and lawyers but for anyone offering a personal service, even web designers

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

We've teamed up with the Current Account Switch Service to explain the benefits of switching your business bank account.