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Business guides

Our business guides cover a wide selection of topics, ranging from insurance to getting the best business utility tariffs. Our guides can help you cut some of your company's everyday costs.

Florist shop owner working on their paperwork late in the evening.

How to write a business plan in 10 simple steps

Follow our step-by-step guide to writing a business plan and setting your business up for success.

Personal guarantees for business loans explained

Agreeing to provide a personal guarantee can help your company qualify for a business loan. Here’s what you need to know.

Can business debt affect your personal finances?

If you've built up business debt that you can't escape, it's important to know if your personal finances will take a hit. We examine whether you can protect yourself from bad business debt.

7 hard questions you need to ask before going self-employed

Starting a business can be an exciting and stressful adventure, so planning ahead is essential to achieving your business dreams. Here are seven questions you should ask yourself before you begin.

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How business savings accounts can help SMEs to grow

A savings account isn’t a legal requirement, but it can support your business in the long run.

30 small business ideas for 2025

Keen to set up a small business in 2025? Here’s our pick of the best businesses to start this year.

A beginner's guide to self-assessment

If you’re self-employed, completing your self-assessment tax return can be a real chore. But it’s crucial you get it right and file on time. Here’s how.

Do You Need Business Interruption Insurance?

Business interruption insurance could save your company if an unexpected event, such as a fire or a burglary, stops you from trading.

When it pays out

How to Claim on Your Business Insurance

Follow our step-by-step guide to making a successful business insurance claim.

What you need to make a claim

Strategies to Make Your Small Business More Efficient

Making your small business more efficient can save you money and time. Our short guide to improving business efficiency shows you how.

What to Do if Your Bank Has Closed Your Business Bank Account

Find out what to do if your business bank account has been closed and how to recognise and challenge your bank if it has acted unfairly.

How to Register a Trademark in the UK

Protect your business’s critical brand elements like slogans, logos and product names with this step-by-step process for registering your trademark.

How to Track and Keep on Top of Business Expenses

Take control of your business expenses to boost your profitability, reduce your tax bill and ensure your accounts remain accurate and up to date.

How To Protect Your Business from Payment Fraud

Payment fraud is an increasing issue for businesses. Protect your company with these payment fraud prevention tips.

How to Manage Business Debt as a Small Business

Follow these seven steps to help manage business debt and get your business finances back on track.

How to Start a Side Hustle

The cost-of-living crisis has hit everyone hard. But there are a number of ways to make a little extra cash, if you can spare the time

What can a Financial Adviser do for your Business?

The right financial adviser can help you grow your business and ensure it is profitable in the long term. Learn how to pick the right adviser for your company.

How To Improve Cash Flow For Small Businesses

Find out how to improve your business cash flow and increase your chances of success.

What Business Tax Relief Are You Entitled to?

Find out how you can qualify for tax relief that could potentially reduce your small business' tax bill.

How to Create a Website For Your Business

Learn everything about creating a business website, from finding the best domain registrar and hosting provider to building a website people will revisit.

Managing VAT for Small Businesses

Learn more about which businesses need to register for VAT, the pros and cons of doing so, and how to complete your VAT return.

The Best Sustainability Ideas For Businesses

Discover green business ideas for existing businesses and new startups, the benefits of running a sustainable business and how to implement green initiatives.

Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

Boost productivity and cut costs with these five strategies to improve mental health in the workplace.

Sole Trader vs Limited Company: What’s Best for You?

Deciding whether to operate as a sole trader or a limited company is a key decision for a small business owner. Here are the pros and cons of each approach.

Serious young business owner using laptop in his workshop

How borrowing could boost your business

With the right type of borrowing you could pursue business opportunities that would otherwise pass you by, here's how.

How to make an invoice

If you’ve set up your own business, knowing how to create an invoice correctly is crucial to ensuring you get paid, as we explain.

Full guide to making an invoice

How to turn business ideas into a profitable company

What's involved in turning a business idea into a going concern - and should you bother in the first place Here we explain how to tell if you idea for a business is actually a good one in reality, and what the next steps to making it happen.

How to tell if a business idea is any good

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How to register a business?

Here’s everything you need to know to make sure your side hustle is legitimate including the difference between being a sole trader and a limited partnership, which might be right for you, and the deadlines and paperwork you need to consider

What you need to get ready now

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How to fund your business idea

If there’s one thing budding entrepreneurs have in abundance it’s ideas. But great concepts often amount to nothing without the financial oomph to make them real. Here we explore how to get the money needed to earn your fortune.

Where yo look for the money you need

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Can you start a business from home?

Everyone’s heard the stories of billionaires starting their businesses from a bedroom at home, but setting up a start up takes careful planning and there are hidden costs. This is what you need to know to get it right

What you need to check for

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How to employ someone

If your business becomes successful enough, or you need a hand to get it started, you will need to think about employing staff to help out. But how do you pay them, what responsibilities do you have, and how much does it cost to employ someone?

What you need to check for

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