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.
Many well known brands have developed successful franchises, such as McDonalds and Starbucks. With over 800 networks in the UK, it has become a popular way to expand. Here are a few things to consider first.
Investing in a franchise
Business Ideas & Planning
I'm thinking about setting up an aquatic shop, but don't really know where to start? I need step by step type of advice, for what I should be looking into.
Business Ideas & Planning
I am thinking of starting my own gardening business but know nothing about starting a business. I was wondering what is the first thing I need to do?
Startup Funding and Grants
Carly Trisk-Grove started a cafe with her husband four years ago as a lifestyle business, but the couple have now secured £525,000 in funding to expand.
Business Ideas & Planning
God supposedly built the world in seven days, so why not do the same with a business? Naturally, you would have to do some serious planning in advance and know your business idea inside and out.
Sole trader
Is it possible for me to have more than one business? I currently operate a small business as a haulier but I would like to commence a separate business as a landscape gardener.
Business Ideas & Planning
How do I go about setting up a business abroad? I wish to use a bank outside the UK to hold the account: should I get legal representation here or there?
Investing in a franchise
People new to business should consider starting a franchise before starting up their own business alone, it has been claimed.
Business Ideas & Planning
How do I go about setting up a business abroad? I wish to use a bank outside the UK to hold the account: should I get legal representation here or there?
Investing in a franchise
People new to business should consider starting a franchise before starting up their own business alone, it has been claimed.
Work life balance
Do you have children and want to use your skills and earn an income? Here are some tips for business mums.
Success stories
By 2042, almost a quarter of people living in the UK will be aged 65 or older, up from 18 per cent in 2016. The number of people aged over 70 who are in full- or part-time employment is steadily rising too, with around one in 12 of those still working compared to one in 22 working 10 years ago. Is starting your own business another option?
Startup Funding and Grants
Financial institutions may well need a shake up when helping female entrepreneurs. SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to some women in business about their experiences of raising finance and asks for your comments.
Startup Funding and Grants
SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to five high-achieving women to find out whether it really is a man's world.
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Partner content
Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.
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