Skip to content
  1. Home

Starting a business in the UK

Government-backed advice and guidance to help you develop your business idea and identity, understand finances and funding and build your business in the right way from the start.

Plan your approach and test your idea

Think about what kind of business you want to set up, how much time you can devote to it and whether your idea can be profitable.

Choosing a business model

Your business model is how you deliver your business and how it makes money. You could start from scratch, selling services or products, or buy into an existing business or franchise.

Testing and validating your business idea

Establish that your idea is something that can make money, that there’s space in the market for you and that your finances are solid enough to get you through the first year.

Going full time with your business idea

Making the leap from side hustle to full time business is a big step. Find out what you need to carefully consider.

Develop your business identity

Before you can set up your business, you’ll need to know how you’re going to identify and market it.

Naming your business

A strong business name makes you memorable to customers and helps you stand out from competitors, but it must comply with naming rules.

Creating your business brand

Your brand is how you will connect with your customers. It sets the tone for how you present your business to the world.

Protecting your business name and brand

Your trading name and brand are examples of intellectual property. They are not automatically protected, so you will need to register these if you want to stop others from using them.

Set up your business

Decide how you want to structure your business. Explore which option is best for you and what you need to do to set up and register.

Comparing business structures

The structure you choose affects the tax you pay, who controls the business, and what happens to your business debts.

Setting up a formal business

You may need to register your business with Companies House or simply register for Self Assessment with HMRC. How you formally set up your business depends on the structure you have chosen.

Find out about funding

Although many business owners build up savings to fund their businesses, there may be grants or loans available to help you get started.

Funding options for your business

There are different ways to fund a business. You may be able to get a grant, borrow money or find people who will invest in your idea.

Preparing for funding applications

To successfully apply for business funding, you will need to do some preparation.

Applying for a Start Up Loan

A Start Up Loan is a government-backed loan that helps you start or grow a business in the UK. You can borrow between £500 and £25,000.

Sort out your business finances

Many first-time business owners worry about cash flow and accounting. Setting your finances up correctly from the start can help ease these worries.

Getting a business bank account

A business bank account allows you to separate personal and business finances. Certain types of businesses, like limited companies, must have a business bank account.

Setting up business accounting and finance

Financial and accounting processes are vital to your business’s success. Getting these right makes managing your taxes and official reporting much easier.

Understanding business taxes

You must pay tax on your business income. You may have to pay other taxes depending on your business activities.

Get ready to operate

Get everything in order so that you’re ready to start trading. Figure out if you need a dedicated premises, get insurance and find out what rules your business needs to follow.

Finding a business property

Consider whether your business needs a dedicated space and what you should think about when you’re looking for a business property.

Insuring your business

Getting the right insurance protects your business from risks and allows you to keep operating when the unexpected happens.

Dealing with licences and regulations

The licences you will need and the regulations you must follow depend on what your business does and where it operates.

Data protection in your business

You must comply with data protection law whenever your business handles personal data – whether that’s data about customers, business contacts or staff.

Support that’s shaped around you

Enter your postcode and what your business will do to find:

  • free one-to-one advice in your area
  • funding opportunities for new businesses
  • trade associations who represent people like you
Find the right support for the business you want to build

Something went wrong. Please try again.

Was this page useful?

Thanks for letting us know

Can you tell us why this page was useful?

Do not share any personal or commercially sensitive information.

Cancel feedback form and refresh page

Thanks for letting us know

Can you tell us more about your feedback?

Do not share any personal or commercially sensitive information.

Cancel feedback form and refresh page

Thanks for your feedback