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.

Moving on up: A growth strategy for sole traders and SMEs

Here, we look at how to manage a growth plan in your small company.

Business Ideas & Planning

Startup Funding and Grants

Tips for successfully obtaining angel investment

Phil Mitchell presents advice for giving yourself the best chance of picking up equity investment from a business angel.

Advice

Patrick Llewellyn on the importance of small business branding

Patrick Llewellyn, the Australian CEO and president of 99designs, talks about the origins of his branding solutions graphic design marketplace and what business owners should consider when thinking about logo design.

Advice

Why starting a business from your bedroom beats Silicon Roundabout

Here, Irfon Watkins argues against the trend to centralise start-up activity in certain locations.

Advice

Why small businesses should take care when it comes to image licensing

Here, in association with iStock, we look at why it is important to stay diligent when using images found online.

Advice

Five common business failures and how they can be avoided

Kevin Hughes reveals the big mistakes made by companies and discusses how not to make them yourself.

Advice

What to do if there is a fire in your business

In this piece, we look at why you should be fighting fire with knowledge.

Advice

How to overhaul your brand image

Here, Sally Barrett-Spring of Moneypenny.co.uk reveals how the business managed its rebranding process.

Advice

What to do if there is a fire in your business

In this piece, we look at why you should be fighting fire with knowledge.

Advice

How to overhaul your brand image

Here, Sally Barrett-Spring of Moneypenny.co.uk reveals how the business managed its rebranding process.

Business Ideas & Planning

Challenges faced by small businesses

Starting a business can be foreboding but here's why things like installing point of sale equipment needn't be stressful.

Business Ideas & Planning

From prophet to profit: How entrepreneurs see into the future 

There may be no guidebook to being a visionary but here, Christian Nellemann explores the things you can do to stir up creativity and generate ideas for your business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Doing business with family and friends: How to stay professional

Henry Catchpole looks at why putting shareholder agreements in place before the union can protect the company, the friendship and the future for everyone involved.

Business Ideas & Planning

Have you got what it takes to start out as self employed?

David Bird discusses the character traits required to be successful in self employment and what to consider before taking the plunge.

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