Setting up a business as a limited company is the second most popular way of setting up a business in the UK. In 2021, there were around 4.5 million private limited companies. There are both huge advantages and disadvantages of running a limited company, as well as, other structures such as sole traders (which is the most popular business structure, with their being 3.2 million in 2021).  It’s important for any aspiring entrepreneurs to understand the range of benefits and pitfalls of different business structures to determine if they are the right fit for their business idea.

[continue reading…]

Franchising is a great way to become an owner of a small business. There are three different types of franchises which you can choose from, they vary in terms of your position, your input into the business and the amount of involvement of the franchisor. The three types of franchises are; the business format franchise, product distribution franchise and management franchise. Each franchise operates differently and in this guide you will find the differences between the three.

[continue reading…]

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.

[continue reading…]

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.

[continue reading…]

With the deadline for self-assessment tax returns now upon us, here we look at some of the most common mistakes taxpayers make on their tax returns, and how to avoid them.

All self-employed workers and company directors are required to fill out a tax return, and it’s important to get your tax return right to avoid incurring penalties. [continue reading…]

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.

Starling Bank is an award-winning, fully-licensed, digital bank, offering a fairer and more human alternative to traditional banking. Founded in 2014 by Anne Boden, Starling has opened over 2 million current accounts and been voted Britain’s Best Bank 4 years in a row.

As a limited company owner, your company is liable to pay Corporation Tax on its profits. All UK companies are liable to pay tax on their profits, regardless of where in the world these profits were accumulated. We have put together this guide for your to understand what corporation tax is, how to account for it, be able to calculate it and the corporation tax rates and allowances.
[continue reading…]

Pensions remain one of the last remaining significant tax breaks available to contractors, freelancers and business owners. And with the sweeping changes to the flexibility surrounding how you access your pension, there has never been a better time to invest. There are a variety of pensions for directors of limited company and contractors available.
[continue reading…]

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.
[continue reading…]

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.
[continue reading…]

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.

In this article, we give you an overview of the basics of limited company tax as written by the senior accountant from Dolan Accountancy. This includes the various taxes you will be liable to pay (or collect) as a limited company, and when you have to pay them.

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.