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.

40% of self-employed earn less than £1,000 a month

One third of self-employed struggling with daily living expenses, especially as energy is a major cost for small businesses

Sole trader

Business Ideas & Planning

Starting up your online business

Smallbusiness.co.uk offers some top tips for entrepreneurs looking to set up an online business venture.

Starting a Business

Choosing your business ownership structure

It is important to consider every aspect of your business requirements before choosing a business ownership structure, says Stephen Newman of Ramsdens Solicitors

Business Ideas & Planning

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

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

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

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

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

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