Buying and selling a company

Selling a business by auction

Mark Copping, partner in Hamlins LLP's corporate department, assesses the pros and cons of auctioning a business.

Tax

Will I have to pay back VAT?

My turnover is well below the current VAT threshold. If I cancel my VAT registration, will I have to pay back the VAT I have already claimed?

Office & home working

Office sharing: how to make it work

Sharing an office with another company can be worthwhile, but not just for cost reasons. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to three companies that do it.

Business management

Louise Richley on starting digital signage company Beyond Digital Solutions

Turnaround specialist Louise Richley started digital signage company Beyond Digital Solutions in 2009 and expects a turnover of £2.5 million this year.

Buying and selling a company

Self-financing the purchase of a small business

I am looking to self-finance the purchase of a small business. Should I classify this as long-term loan or shareholder's capital?

Business Technology

Choosing the right domain name for a business

Sham Hussain, marketing executive at digital service provider Yell, discusses the importance of choosing the most appropriate domain name for your business.

Business management

Carol Cork on starting private jet booking platform PrivateFly.com

Carol Cork launched online private jet booking platform PrivateFly.com with her husband in 2007 and the company now turns over £4 million.

News

Customer service called into question 

Bad-mannered front of house staff are the main reason that professionals are put off from doing business with other companies, research finds.

Employing & managing staff

How to approach redundancies

SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at how to prepare for the process of letting staff go.

Marketing

Optimising Twitter for business

In this age of 24/7 communication, your consumers are not only people who buy your product or services, but are vital to your online presence and valued members of your marketing team.

Legal advice

Choosing a solicitor: How to avoid the pitfalls

Stephen Newman, managing partner of Baxter Caulfield Solicitors, gives advice on how small businesses should take on a solicitor.

Small Business Insurance

The importance of getting the right insurance cover for a small business

Jonathan Willett, director of Henderson Insurance Brokers Teesside, explains why the getting the right insurance cover is crucial for a small business.