The essential guide to starting a business

If you’re in the early stages of your journey then you may be interested in this short guide we’ve created to help you through the process of starting up. It’s full of all the essential information you need to start a business in the UK, plus tips and advice for creating your core business documents. Enter your details below to download your copy.

Inside you’ll find tips and advice on:

  • Conducting market research on customers and competitors
  • Choosing a company structure
  • Figuring out your insurance and tax requirements
  • Developing your business strategy and sales forecast
  • Writing your business plan

The essential guide to starting a business - download

  • Conducting market research on customers and competitors
  • Choosing a company structure
  • Figuring out your insurance and tax requirements
  • Developing your business strategy and sales forecast
  • Writing your business plan
Download (.pdf, 1.64mb) Essential guide to starting a business (Opens in new window)

Our other free guides

Guide to business resilience - download

  • Offering practical tips on how your business can respond to recession
  • Making your business energy efficient
  • Late payments and how to combat them
  • Accessing finance as a response to the cost of living crisis
  • Supply chain pressures and solutions
Download (.pdf, 855.38kb) Guide to business resilience (Opens in new window)

Making business finance work for you - download

  • Designed to help businesses know what type of finance is right for them
  • Discover the types of finance you can use to start a business
  • Learn how finance can support your business growth
  • Understand how to consolidate debt or purchase a major asset
  • Read chapters on working capital, importing/exporting, R&D and more
Download (.pdf, 2.28mb) making business finance work for you (Opens in new window)

Marketing Toolkit - download

  • How to research your target market and test your business idea
  • Creating a marketing plan and setting goals effectively
  • Building a business website and attracting online customers
  • Low-cost options for on and offline advertising, affiliate marketing and PR
  • Free and cheap ways to market your business on a shoestring budget
Download (.pdf, 3.13mb) Marketing toolkit (Opens in new window)

PR toolkit - download

  • Crafting effective press releases
  • Working with journalists
  • Engaging customers with social media
  • Maximising your website
Download (.pdf, 2.35mb) PR toolkit (Opens in new window)

Social Media toolkit - download

  • Choosing the right social media platforms for your business
  • Creating a social media strategy
  • Techniques you can use to save time and money
  • Using social media advertising to build your business
  • How to monitor competitors on social media
Download (.pdf, 1.28mb) Social media toolkit (Opens in new window)