The essential guide to starting a business

Welcome to your Essential Guide to Starting a Business, our roadmap for helping you to turn your business idea into a thriving reality.

Across 12 chapters, you'll discover a wealth of information designed to empower and equip you with the knowledge needed to successfully launch and manage your new venture.

dive into the world of marketing and learn how to effectively reach your target audience and build a brand that resonates.
unravel the complexities of finance with practical tips on budgeting, funding, and financial planning that will keep your business on solid ground.
protect your innovation with our guidance on intellectual property, ensuring your ideas remain yours
explore the various company structures to find the one that aligns with your vision and goals, setting a strong foundation for growth.
and much more.

Click on a chapter below to kickstart your journey to becoming your own boss.

On the go? Download your copy of the Essential Guide to Starting a Business (.PDF, 2.34 MB)(Opens in new window).

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Chapter one: Researching your idea

Learn about the steps you need to take to get your new business off to the best possible start.

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Chapter two: Business strategy and plan

Discover the steps to take in order to get your business off the ground.

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Chapter three: Company structures explained

Learn about the different structures your start-up could adopt before it begins trading.

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Chapter four: Incorporating your business

Discover the steps you need to take to incorporate your start-up.

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Chapter five: Business finances explained

Learn about the day to day financial management of a start-up.

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Chapter six: Access to finance

Discover the various means you can finance your business, from debt to equity.

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Chapter seven: Tax explained

Learn more about the different taxes you'll need to pay once you start running your new business.

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Chapter eight: Setting up a supply chain

Learn more about how to find the right suppliers for your new business.

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Chapter nine: Marketing your business

Find out more about how to attract customers to your new business.

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Chapter ten: Networking

Discover the value of building your network as a business owner.

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Chapter eleven: Protecting the intellectual property of your business

If your business has intellectual property, you'll want to protect it from your competitors.

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Chapter twelve: Jargon buster

Learn what various finance and business terms mean with our handy jargon buster.

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)

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, 2.21mb)

Read the Essential guide to marketing

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 guide (.pdf, 2.56mb)

PR toolkit - download

Crafting effective press releases
Working with journalists
Engaging customers with social media
Maximising your website

Download (.pdf, 2.35mb)

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)