UK business advice · from people who've done it
Short, practical advice on money, vehicles, tax, hiring and the mistakes worth avoiding. Share yours for £2 and put your name and website in front of other business owners.
Make a list of everything your business can't operate without for a week: key stock, packaging, couriers, your payment provider, even your accountant. For each one, find a backup before you need it. Open an account,…
Before you print anything or pay for a logo, check the name in four places. Companies House, to see if a similar company name exists. The UK Intellectual Property Office trade mark search, because a registered trade…
Commercial leases often make you responsible for repairs, and when you leave you may have to return the unit in better condition than you found it. Before you sign, agree a photographed schedule of condition and attach…
Your domain name controls your website and your email. If you lose it, you lose both. Check who the domain is actually registered to. It's surprisingly common for it to sit in a web designer's or ex-employee's account.…
Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act, if another business pays you late you can usually claim statutory interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus fixed compensation of £40 to £100…
Many people check their turnover against the VAT threshold once a year. HMRC actually looks at any rolling 12-month period. At the end of every month, add up your taxable turnover for the previous 12 months. If it goes…
If customers find you locally, your Google Business Profile often matters more than your website. It's free, and many businesses leave it half-finished. Fill in every section: categories, services, opening hours,…
One of the most common and expensive mistakes in small business is a handshake deal with someone you trust: a friend as co-founder, a relative lending money, a mate doing the website. Nobody means for it to go wrong,…
Standard business leases usually want two or three years of filed accounts, so new companies often get turned down. Specialist options such as car subscriptions and non-status leasing look more closely at the directors…
Most small businesses don't fail because they run out of customers. They fail because they run out of cash. Add up your fixed monthly costs: rent, wages, software, finance payments, insurance. Open a separate savings…
Make sure you use a HSE recognised Forklift Training provider, if your employee has an accident, the blame could come down to yor company and at worst you. Check their credentials with the relevant bodies and make sure…
Something you learned the hard way. A few sentences is perfect.
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