Updates

Starting your own business is something that most people have thought about doing at least once or twice at some point in their lives. While in most cases, these ideas remain as dreams which will never manifest into the real world, there may actually be no greater time than now to start up your own business. This is because there are numerous benefits for entrepreneurs right now including the convenience and flexibility one would experience when beginning a new business.

The more links your website gets from reputable sources, the higher it ranks on search engines like Google. Backlinks, inner links, external links, and link building all pertain to the process of having third-party websites link back to your site. In this article, we’ll show you how to earn these backlinks without the need to spend money like you would on PPC marketing.

If you’re looking for lucrative ways to raise capital for your start-up business you have some options to consider. The good news is that it’s never been easier to raise start-up funds than right now. You have a range of resources available at your fingertips, you just need to know where to look and the risks involved before making a decision.

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The sole trader business structure is the most popular in the UK. In 2021 there were approximately 3.2 million sole traders, accounting for 56% of small businesses. The sole trader structure has been popular due to its many advantages and the ease of setting up.

Sole trader business owners are known as self-employed and most freelancers opt for this structure of the business. There are both advantages and disadvantages of the sole trader business structure that need to be taken into account before making any business decisions.

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The men’s grooming industry is becoming more and more popular as men are placing more emphasis on their appearance. From hairstyles to facial hair care, to skincare and other types of maintenance services, men in the modern era are beginning to invest more in themselves to help them with their confidence and personal well-being. In a survey conducted by YouGov, it was found that 81% of men felt more confident in themselves after having a haircut or beard trim, just highlighting how important grooming services are for men.

The best way to streamline a small business is to have reliable resources to ensure information is protected adequately and is easily accessible to the right people.

Suzy Pelta is the latest entrepreneur to feature in one of our success stories. Suzy from SuzyPeltaBakes is a business woman, a recipe book writer and demo chef. After winning Lorraine’s Cake Club, Suzy transformed her life and took advantage of opportunities that came her way. She discusses juggling being a parent and being a business owner as well as the importance of social media.
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Chantelle Flynn, one of the creators of Tiipii bed takes part in our recent success story. She discusses the method of making a niche product an international success. TiiPii Beds are luxury floating hammock beds that create a unique relaxing space to be enjoyed indoors or outdoors.
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The pandemic has thrown out a variety of new challenges for entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale their businesses. While raising funds has always been a complex process, the impact of COVID-19 has presented several new challenges. Accordingly, preparation for an investment exercise has never been more important in maximising the chances of a successful outcome.

Readers questions:  My year-end is 31st January, I have two companies, can I pay dividends out of one? We have made £160k profit so far this year.

Optimum pay group are an award-winning business that offer a range of financial services including Umbrella payroll.

‘Long COVID’ also known as ‘post-COVID-19 Syndrome’ is when the COVID-19 symptoms last weeks or months after the infection has gone. Being able to spot the signs and symptoms of Long Covid amongst employees will be vital over the coming months for UK companies. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott offers the following advice to employers on how to detect whether a member of staff could be suffering from Long Covid, signs to look out for and how to fully support them.

Socialising with colleagues feels good, but it also has benefits for the business. Working face-to-face with colleagues can both help maintain a good working culture and boost collaboration. But a year of working from and/or furlough has seen many workers coping with social isolation.

If you have started a business or are thinking about starting one, then you will need to decide on a business structure. You can choose to create a limited company, work as a sole trader or a partnership. Each business structure varies, especially when it comes to accounts and the bookkeeping. Sole trader owners are classed as self-employed, therefore they have their own set of tax rules and regulations to adhere to.

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Reader’s question: If I worked for a number of companies, each with their own individual name accounts and account number, would I be issued with a p60 for each one or could each income from each company be all on the one p60?

The average workplace is now made up of four generations, with millennials and Gen Zs accounting for most of the global workforce. Whilst these two generations are the youngest, with Millennials born from 1981 to 1996 and Gen Z’s born between 1997 and 2012, they don’t necessarily have a great deal in common. 

When you’re not there to oversee things, standards start to slip and the overall health of your business can start to decline. The pandemic has given the vast majority of us experience of working from home. Initially, it takes some getting used to, but we’ve been able to adapt and thrive.

As a start-up, it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed. With so many things to consider, software might be the last thing on your mind. But the right software can make day-to-day processes run more smoothly, helping you to focus on what’s most important. Stay organised and keep your business on track with these software recommendations.

If you want to legally incorporate your business as a company in the UK, you’ve got to register as a limited company through Companies House. Here is a complete guide provided by company formation specialists 1^st Formations