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
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.
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
Smallbusiness.co.uk offers some top tips for entrepreneurs looking to set up an online business venture.
Starting a Business
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
Business coach Tim Rylatt discusses why having a clear business vision matters and shares his top tips for creating one
Setting up a company
One of your first legal steps will be to register your business and choose your structure
Business Ideas & Planning
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
IR35 taxation changes, Brexit and Covid-19 blamed for choking off rise in self-employment
Employing & managing staff
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
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