Launch your business
Get your business off to the best start by learning how to attract funding, win customers and promote your products and services.rom attracting customers and building a brand to hiring staff and navigating the law, our guidance content can help your business get off to a great start:
- Marketing – discover how to attract customers and market on a shoestring, and learn essential modern marketing techniques
- Funding – learn how to overcome funding barriers, how equity investment works and how to price your products and services
- Skills – understand the skills that can help establish your new business, from legal requirements to overcoming typical challenges
Explore our expert guides, in-depth interviews with new business owners, and get access to our free online training courses in partnership with The Open University.
Featured content
Boost your new business with our collection of expert guides and inspirational interviews to help your new venture succeed. Explore tips and guidance on marketing techniques and marketing on a budget, overcoming funding barriers and developing the skills designed to help your business flourish.
Tax, insurance and the law: guidance for small businesses
As you start your business, you might overlook issues around tax, insurance and the law. Learn why you must consider these carefully when launching your start-up.
Marketing on a
shoestring
With limited funds, some traditional marketing might feel beyond you. Learn cost-effective tactics to reach customers and make your money go further.
Skills gap analysis – do you
know enough to launch?
Do you have what it takes to launch a start-up? Identify the gaps in your knowledge and experience and learn how to develop the skills you need for success.
Related learning
Start Up Loans has partnered with the Open University to provide free, in-depth courses that cover a range of skills and know-how new business owners need. Learn how to run your business, marketing approaches and techniques, project management and the financial skills that can boost your business knowledge.
Commercial
awareness
This short course encourages you to look across your organisation, at your place within it and the value you create.
Discovering
management
Learn what it means to be a manager – leadership, finance, project management, operations management and more.
Financial accounting
and reporting
Learn what accountants do and why your business must be aware of relevant financial laws and regulations.
Related guidance
Ready for the next step? Get free access to downloadable guides and templates designed to help you run your business. Explore our practical,
step-by-step guides on launching a business – from creating a marketing plan to tips on brilliant customer service.
How to win customers – 10 things you can do today
What can you do if you want to attract new customers but lack the budget to dedicate to marketing and promotion?
Find out here.
How to price your products and services
Pricing your products or services is challenging. How high or low? What do your competitors charge? Read our expert guide on how to set pricing for your start-up.
The 10 biggest start-up challenges
You’ll face many challenges when starting your own business. This guide outlines how to deal with some of the most common ones.