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.

Meet the startup: Mike Radley, Nibble

Micro-influencers can significantly increase your restaurant or café’s presence, but more importantly influence the buying decision of customers. But how do you find the right ones?

Success stories

Sole trader

7 advantages of being a sole trader

Business formation is one of the biggest decisions you'll make when starting out. Here are seven key advantages of being a sole trader

Sole trader

Can I switch a limited company to sole trader?

Yes you can, says Simon Thomas of Ridgefield Consulting. But you have to follow these steps to wind up your limited company first

Success stories

Meet the startup: Matthew Vamplew, Paranimo

Mental health challenges cost the UK economy nearly £118bn annually, Paranimo aims to democratise workplace access to the right mental health support to create psychologically healthy cultures.

Advice

What we’ve learned from startup founders on the Launch Lessons podcast

Launch Lessons is a podcast from Airwallex, the financial suite which empowers businesses to go global from day one

Sole trader

What business insurance do I need as a sole trader?

What are the main types of business insurance for a sole trader and what if I’m working from home?

Sole trader

What is a sole trader? A small business guide

Emily Coltman, chief accountant at FreeAgent, investigates one very popular structure for new business owners: sole tradership

Sole trader

Can two people run a sole trader business?

Can two people run a sole trader business and can you register a newly formed limited company as 'dormant' and start off as a sole trader?

Sole trader

What is a sole trader? A small business guide

Emily Coltman, chief accountant at FreeAgent, investigates one very popular structure for new business owners: sole tradership

Sole trader

Can two people run a sole trader business?

Can two people run a sole trader business and can you register a newly formed limited company as 'dormant' and start off as a sole trader?

Advice

How microbusinesses take the first steps toward sustainability

Helping the environment can open up the possibility of more revenue, says Ben Law, VP and head of UK and Ireland at GoDaddy

Sole trader

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

Employing people as a sole trader

We take a look at the procedures around employing people as a sole trader.

Business Ideas & Planning

Starting up your online business

Smallbusiness.co.uk offers some top tips for entrepreneurs looking to set up an online business venture.

Finding and selling to customers

How Amazon Ads is supporting entrepreneurs

Digital ad campaigns aren't just for big businesses. Here's why you should be considering it...

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

Financing

6 types of business funding for UK tech companies

Here we explore six types of business funding that can help your UK tech company expand and reach its goals.

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.