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.
Erin Walls, a specialist business advisor for SMEs at Ward Williams Creative, looks at the important personal considerations that need to be made before going into business.
Business Ideas & Planning
Startup Funding and Grants
Richard Healy, co-founder of BaseKit, discusses the importance of getting the first-round funding pitch right.
Advice
Tom Skinner, managing director of marketing company Go Up, reveals what he would have changed if he could have started again.
Advice
E-commerce expert Simon Horton shares why some partnership 'opportunities' can be more trouble than they're worth.
Advice
Bimla Safka discusses how a small business can be taken seriously and build a reputation in a market full of more experienced peers.
Business Ideas & Planning
Starting your own business is an exciting yet terrifying prospect! Here are 5 top tips for anyone who wants to start a business.
Advice
James Walker, security expert at Trend Micro, looks at how the EU is set to change the regulations governing what businesses can do with their data.
Advice
Tim Critchley, CEO of Semafone, discusses what to do to comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.
Advice
James Walker, security expert at Trend Micro, looks at how the EU is set to change the regulations governing what businesses can do with their data.
Advice
Tim Critchley, CEO of Semafone, discusses what to do to comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.
Advice
Ian Cowley gives some guidance on expanding your network of suppliers.
Investing in a franchise
There are hundreds of businesses in the UK that have grown using franchising but often we don't know how to tell them apart from non-franchise businesses. John Hoskin explains how franchises work.
Advice
This article explores how to be successful in the stage of business that comes after starting up.
Advice
Geraint Evans discusses the factors to consider when weighing up the location of your company.
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade
Partner content
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
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.