Small Business Guide
🏗️ Business Structures
8 guides- 01
Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Which is Right for You?
The definitive comparison — tax, liability, admin, and which structure suits your situation.
- 02
What is a Limited Company? A Plain-English Guide
How limited companies work, what limited liability means, and the key differences from other structures.
- 03
What is a Sole Trader? Everything You Need to Know
How sole trader status works, your tax obligations, and the pros and cons of trading as yourself.
- 04
What is a Business Partnership? Types and How They Work
General partnerships, limited partnerships, and LLPs — the differences and when each makes sense.
- 05
What is a Community Interest Company (CIC)?
How CICs work, how they differ from charities and standard limited companies, and how to register one.
- 06
10 Advantages of Setting Up a Limited Company
The tax, legal, and commercial benefits of incorporating — and when they outweigh the extra admin.
- 07
Disadvantages of a Limited Company: What to Consider
The downsides of incorporation — admin burden, public disclosure, and costs — before you decide.
- 08
All UK Business Structures Compared: The Complete Overview
Sole trader, partnership, LLP, Ltd, PLC, CIC — every structure explained and compared in one guide.
📋 Registering Your Business
8 guides- 01
How to Register a Limited Company: Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to register with Companies House — from £100 online.
- 02
What is Companies House and What Does It Do?
The role of Companies House, what information is public, and your ongoing filing obligations.
- 03
How to Register as a Sole Trader with HMRC
The Self Assessment registration process, deadlines, and what happens after you register.
- 04
Articles of Association: What They Are and What to Include
Model articles vs bespoke articles — what they govern and when you need to customise them.
- 05
Share Structure for Limited Companies: A Beginner's Guide
Ordinary shares, share classes, issuing shares, and how to structure ownership from the start.
- 06
Registered Office Address: What It Is and Your Options
Why you need one, whether to use your home address, and the alternatives available.
- 07
The Annual Confirmation Statement: What It Is and How to File
Your yearly obligation to confirm company details with Companies House — deadlines and process.
- 08
Dormant Companies: What They Are and How to Keep One
How to make a company dormant, your filing obligations, and when it makes sense to do so.
✏️ Choosing a Business Name
5 guides- 01
How to Choose a Business Name: A Practical Guide
What makes a great business name, the rules you must follow, and how to check availability.
- 02
UK Company Name Rules: What You Can and Cannot Call Your Business
Restricted words, sensitive words, and the Companies House naming rules you must comply with.
- 03
Should You Trademark Your Business Name?
What trademark protection gives you, the cost, and whether it's worth it for your business.
- 04
Trading Name vs Registered Name: What's the Difference?
How to use a different trading name from your registered company name — and the rules around it.
- 05
How to Change Your Company Name: The Official Process
The steps to change your registered company name with Companies House and what it costs.
📊 Business Planning
6 guides- 01
How to Write a Business Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
What to include, how to structure it, and free templates — whether for investors or your own clarity.
- 02
Market Research for Small Businesses: A Practical Guide
How to research your market, understand your customers, and validate demand before you launch.
- 03
How to Calculate Your Startup Costs
Every cost to factor in before launch — one-off setup costs, ongoing costs, and working capital needs.
- 04
How to Validate Your Business Idea Before You Launch
Low-cost ways to test whether people will actually pay for your product or service.
- 05
How to Do a SWOT Analysis for Your Small Business
A practical guide to identifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- 06
The Business Model Canvas: How to Use It for Your Business
A one-page framework to map out your entire business model — with a worked example.
✅ First Steps After Registering
7 guides- 01
Your First 30 Days After Registering a Limited Company
The exact checklist of what to do in your first month — bank account, insurance, HMRC, and more.
- 02
How to Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC
The 3-month deadline, what information you need, and how to register online.
- 03
Choosing Accounting Software for Your Small Business
Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage, and free options compared — what suits each type of business.
- 04
Director's Responsibilities: What the Law Requires of You
Your legal duties as a company director — the seven statutory duties and what they mean in practice.
- 05
Business Insurance Checklist: What Cover Do You Need?
The types of insurance every new business should consider — and which are legally required.
- 06
Pre-Trading Expenses: Can You Claim Costs Before You Started Trading?
How to claim back expenses incurred before your company started — HMRC rules and limits.
- 07
Setting Up Payroll for the First Time: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to register as an employer, set up PAYE, and run your first payroll correctly.
- 08
What Do You Need to Open a UK Business Bank Account?
The exact documents and requirements for sole traders and limited companies opening a business account.
🔄 Switching & Funding
3 guides- 01
When to Switch from Sole Trader to Limited Company
The income thresholds, tax savings, and practical triggers that signal it's time to incorporate.
- 02
How to Fund Your Startup: 10 Ways to Raise Money
Bootstrapping, loans, grants, angel investment, crowdfunding — the full range of startup funding options.
- 03
All UK Business Structures: The Complete Comparison Guide
Every legal structure available in the UK — sole trader, partnership, LLP, Ltd, PLC, and CIC compared.
🏭 Industry Starter Guides
9 guides- 01
How to Start a Freelance Business in the UK
Going freelance — finding clients, setting rates, contracts, and managing your tax as a freelancer.
- 02
How to Start an E-Commerce Business in the UK
Choosing a platform, sourcing products, payment processing, and the legal requirements for selling online.
- 03
How to Start a Consulting Business in the UK
Positioning yourself, setting consulting fees, winning your first clients, and structuring your business.
- 04
How to Start a Trades Business (Plumber, Electrician, Builder)
Licences, insurance, finding work, pricing jobs, and the business setup for tradespeople.
- 05
How to Start a Food Business in the UK
Food hygiene certificates, registration with the council, labelling rules, and premises requirements.
- 06
How to Start a Property Business in the UK
Buy-to-let, HMOs, property management, and the tax and legal structure for property investors.
- 07
How to Start a Recruitment Agency in the UK
Licences, contracts, fee structures, and how to set up a compliant recruitment business.
- 08
How to Start a Cleaning Business in the UK
Equipment, insurance, pricing, finding clients, and the low-cost path to a profitable cleaning business.
- 09
How to Start a Marketing Agency in the UK
Niching down, pricing your services, winning clients, and structuring a marketing agency for growth.