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.

PAYE for sole traders

If operating as a sole trader, profits (or losses) will be taxed under Income Tax rules and you can continue working in employment under PAYE (Pay As You Earn).

Accounting

Business Ideas & Planning

Choosing your business address

My 2 friends & I are starting up a business, trading as a partnership. This business will be run from each of our homes, as it is an Internet-based business, I need advice on a business address. Out of the three houses, how do we decide which address to put on stationery etc, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using that person's address?

Startup Funding and Grants

Guide to expanding your small enterprise

Growing your business, by its very nature, is likely to bring greater complexity. This guide to expanding your small enterprise should help.

Investing in a franchise

Top tips on becoming a franchisee

Turning your franchise dreams into business reality is a complex process, so make sure you set off on the right foot by following these ten steps to success.

Investing in a franchise

Watch out for the hidden costs of franchising!

In addition to an initial franchise fee and ongoing service fee, there may be other, less obvious costs associated with setting up a franchise, all of which must be taken into account when arranging funding for your business

Startup Funding and Grants

Ways to raise finance

Can you advise me on the best way to gain financing for my new joinery company?

Startup Funding and Grants

Sources of funding to open a restaurant

Could you give information on getting a loan? I run a successful pizza takeaway business and am now seeking funds to open a restaurant.

Business Ideas & Planning

Opening a village shop

I am looking for advice on starting up a village shop in my own premises. I have already made enquiries about re-opening the sub post-office which closed some months ago.

Startup Funding and Grants

Sources of funding to open a restaurant

Could you give information on getting a loan? I run a successful pizza takeaway business and am now seeking funds to open a restaurant.

Business Ideas & Planning

Opening a village shop

I am looking for advice on starting up a village shop in my own premises. I have already made enquiries about re-opening the sub post-office which closed some months ago.

Investing in a franchise

What is franchising?

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way you could start a business of your own with a much greater chance of survival than the average start-up? Well, there is and that method is called business format franchising and here's how it works...

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: know your market

Do you want to sell to the common man or to the more priviliged, is your product something for shops, for the internet or for both? Use this checklist to find your target market.

Business Ideas & Planning

Guide to choosing a business name

What's in a name? Quite a lot actually. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is what to call your new business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: what should be in your business plan

Your business plan is key to keeping your mind on long-term strategic goals while dealing with the day-to-day problems. Here's what it should contain.

Partner content

16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems

Business management

How to create good cashflow habits

HSBC - Advertising feature

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?