Here you will find help on major areas of running a business, with help on everything from writing your business plan to tax requirements. Select the relevant area from the list below.
Business Planning
The information on StartUp Donut's business planning page will help you write and update your business plan. If you require help with writing a business plan, please click to download the following document: Business plan template.doc
StartUp Britain is a website full of information on starting your business with nationwide events taking place regularly. The British Library organise regular business planning events and business advice clinics, as do Ideas 21.
Tax and National Insurance
It's worth understanding your tax obligations before you start up. The tax and national insurance pages here will help you learn how to work out tax and NI, and the legal requirements involved in accounting and bookkeeping.
Need some extra help?
HM Revenue & Customs offer workshops to help businesses understand their tax responsibilities. Workshops include paying someone for the first time, setting up a limited company and the basics of VAT. To book onto a course in London, visit the HMRC website here.
Business Law
This page from Start up Donut is full of information to help you with:
- licensing and registration;
- environment, insurance, accessibility and data;
- intellectual property;
- insurance for business;
- workplace health and safety
The Intellectual Property Office can help you get the right type of protection for your creation or invention. If you are starting a business in the food industry, have a look at regulations on the Food Standards Agency website.
Sales and Marketing
Learn about market research, targeting a market, sales techniques, international trade and how to promote your business by visiting the StartUp Donut's Sales and Marketing pages.
Working with other businesses?
B2B Online Marketing is a knowledge bank of online resources for those in the business-to-business marketing field.
Want a website?
This page on the 1st Web Designer website gives you a list of 45 free website builders. If you are looking to create your own site, blog or social community then take a look, as it will show you what to do without any programming language.
Need help creating newsletters and/or sales letters?
MailChimp helps you design email newsletters and track your results (e.g. how many emails were opened). BusinessBalls has a helpful guide on how to write effective introductory sales letters.
Using social media?
Here are ten top tips on using Twitter.
Financing a Business
Learn about start up costs, raising enough money to start a small business, pricing and cash flow by visting the finance pages. For an up-to-date list of where to go for finance, visit our Government Finance Schemes and Loan Funds section.
Other useful links
Real Business is a digital, print and events brand for small to medium-sized businesses looking for insight, analysis, opinion, advice and inspiration.
Yoodoo builds you a personal journey of interactive episodes and quizzes to develop both your skills as an entrepreneur and create a blueprint for your new business.
Business Link provides advice & information on starting, improving and growing your business.
Newsletter
BBV have also just recently launched its own Start Up Donut page, allowing access to a wealth of business advice and information for entrepreneurs looking to start in business or established businesses. To register for this free monthly newsletter, click on the icon below!
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