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Start up business ideas

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Set up a business

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Skills and wellbeing

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Business planning

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

Start up funding

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Tax and National Insurance

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Business law

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Sales and marketing

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Business premises

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Employees

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

Business IT

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Grow your business

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Planning to export - checklist

When planning to export your goods or services, thoroughly research the market and potential problems beforehand and take advantage of the support and information available to you.

  • Contact the Department for Business and Trade or your local business support organisation to access the extensive range of advice and support they can offer.
  • Identify other sources of information (eg contacts already exporting to the market); consider visiting the country yourself.
  • Decide how much you will invest in researching and developing the new market; consider whether existing markets offer better opportunities.
  • Research the market: for example, customer requirements, competition and pricing levels; use DIT, British Embassy or high commission guidance.
  • Check government guidance on preparing to export after Brexit if your target country or countries are in the EU.
  • Consider how you will reach customers and promote your product.
  • Investigate local laws and regulations: for example, tariffs, product standards, product liability laws and labelling regulations. Ensure you take advice from a specialist solicitor.
  • Plan how you will handle delivery, packaging and transportation: investigate costs, timescales and documentation requirements.
  • Explore financing options and consider payment procedures; how will you assess creditworthiness and cope with fluctuating exchange rates?
  • Consider what after-sales support you need to provide, such as spare parts, customer advice or training.
  • Assess what personnel resources you need to support your exports; identify any training requirements. Consider legal advice.
  • Choose the best sales channel: for example, selling directly (eg via the internet) or to a distributor, using an agent or working with a partner. Take legal advice.
  • Ensure that you have clear terms of trade, and procedures to handle export documentation.
  • Plan an export trial to test the market and your procedures without excessive investment.
  • Set up monitoring mechanisms; monitor the local business environment and exchange rates, as well as your export performance.