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.
In 2005, almost 200,000 Britons headed overseas permanently and many of these people are leaving the UK to start up their own business abroad. A major hurdle they will have to clear, however, is gaining permission to start a business in a new country – applying for a visa or work permit can be a lengthy process, which varies from country to country.
Business Ideas & Planning
Business Ideas & Planning
Within just a couple of minutes of internet searching you can find a new apartment, on the south coast of Spain going for £61,000, two minutes from the beach in Cyprus for £60,000 and on the banks of the Black Sea for less than £40,000.
Business Ideas & Planning
Considering seeking business fortunes Down Under? Then there are a set of steps you will need to take, including devising a thorough business plan, settling on a suitable business structure, and scouring the local market to ensure there's sufficient demand for your service or product.
Business Ideas & Planning
Spain is one of the most popular destinations for Britons wanting to set up a business abroad. With 16 million British tourists visiting every year and over 650,000 having moved there permanently this is no surprise.
Business Ideas & Planning
When considering setting up a business abroad, it’s vital to take into account the commercial realities and cultural differences of the region to which you’re moving.
Startup Funding and Grants
Funding is the one thorny topic every entrepreneur must tackle if their enterprise is to survive and thrive. Securing the right kind of investor, level of investment and managing the process effectively is often the difference between having a future in business or booking a one-way ticket to bankruptcy.
Accounting
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).
Business Ideas & Planning
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?
Accounting
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).
Business Ideas & Planning
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
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
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
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
Can you advise me on the best way to gain financing for my new joinery company?
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