Business guides – Starting up

Before deciding to start your own business, there are a number of important questions you should ask yourself.

If you want your business to do well, you can dramatically raise the chances of success by following a few simple but time-honoured tips.

A business plan can provide you with a clear sense of direction. It can give your business something to measure its progress against - helping you identify any problematic issues early on and take appropriate action.

In order to prepare for, and escape the worst consequences of, hard times, you need a method of recognising how problems might arise, and a survival plan to activate when they do.

We all make mistakes but sometimes the law is not very forgiving – ignorance of it has never been a defence.

For any business, large or small, the worst thing that can happen is an unexpected event that stops you trading or drives your customers away.

Be creative with your business name but make sure you protect it.

Deciding whether to operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited company is not always easy. This guide will help you make a more informed decision.

This guide explores the pros and cons of working from home and what you need to consider.

It sounds impressive to be able to say: “I’m a company director”. But you need to be aware of your responsibilities.

Though a partnership requires no written agreement it is good practice to draw one up and ask a solicitor to check it for you.

This guide offers some practical measures you can take to help ensure you buy a sound business for a sensible price.

When surrounded by competitors in the same business as you, you need to find a gap in the market, and exploit it.

This guide offers some ideas for forecasting the future and assessing the feasibility of any opportunities open to your business.

This guide explains the difference between a Bank Identifier Code and an International Bank Account Number and how important they are when making or receiving payments from Europe.

Companies always face a degree of risk when they decide to start exporting, but the rewards for those who compete successfully are considerable.

This guide looks at the benefits of importing, then takes you through the various requirements, processes and customs practices you need to consider.

This guide examines the benefits of putting your business online and takes you through the first practical steps you will need to take to establish your presence on the World Wide Web.

Information technology should be considered as another tool to help your business.

This guide provides hints and tips on how to fulfil your business’s online objectives.

Once you have your own website, you want everyone in the world to know so they can come and take a look.

Once set up, a customer database provides a quick and easy way to contact clients and keep essential customer information up-to-date.