Starting your business
Organisations
ABPI (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry) —
the trade association for companies in the UK producing prescription medicines.
www.abpi.org.ukADAS (Agricultural Development Advisory Service) — provides independent science-based information and advice to organisations working in the environmental, agricultural and rural sector.
www.adas.co.ukAWiSE (Association for Women in Science and Engineering) — information for women in the sciences from biomedicine to mathematics and the social sciences, in engineering and the technologies.
www.awise.orgbCentral — Microsoft’s Online Business Centre is packed with information. Click 'Starting Up' for their guide to planning and forming your business. Through partnerships is able to offer free advice and free downloadable documents to help small businesses.
www.bcentral.co.ukb2b Business Directory — UK Business to Business Directory.
beprofessional — business subscription software and services. Free trial available.
www.beprofessional.comBiz-in-a-box — company formation specialists. Information and resources here to start your own business, incorporate a company and register a suitable domain.
www.biz-in-a-box.co.ukBplans — free sample business plans.
www.Bplans.org.ukBritish Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE) — the BAWE seeks to provide an environment for women in Britain to grow and develop their businesses and themselves.
www.bawe-uk.orgBritish Chambers of Commerce — local chambers seek to represent the interests and support the competitiveness and growth of all businesses in their communities. Free weekly small business e-newsletter.
www.chamberonline.co.ukBusiness For Sale — you can register to search for businesses for sale, with links to professionals who can help you in the process.
www.BusinessForSale.co.ukBusiness Gateway — Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive
and Local Authorities partner to support economic development in Scotland, bringing together a range of key services for businesses.
www.bgateway.comBusiness in the Community — The aim is to ‘to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society’.
www.bitc.org.ukBusiness Link — Business Link is an easy-to-use business support, advice and information service managed by the Department of Trade and Industry.
www.businesslink.gov.ukBusiness Rates — a Government-funded site, designed to provide businesses with a single source of clear and concise information on business rates.
www.mybusinessrates.gov.ukCBI — a lobbying organisation for UK businesses to help create the
conditions in which businesses can thrive.
www.cbi.org.ukThe Chartered Management Institute — professional management
information and inspiration.
www.managers.org.ukCompanies House — all limited companies in the UK are registered at Companies House.
www.companieshouse.gov.ukThe Crafts Council — provides financial, business and professional support.
www.craftscouncil.org.ukDepartment of Trade & Industry (DTI) — a valuable source of information and advice for businesses of all sizes.
www.dti.gov.ukDepartment of Work and Pensions — information on services and benefits for people of working age, including those starting a business.
www.dwp.gov.ukThe Design Council — runs Design Campaigns in key areas of business and the public sector which bring designers and managers together with consumers.
www.design-council.org.ukDirect Marketing Association — The mission of the DMA is to maximise value for members whilst maintaining and enhancing consumers' trust and confidence in direct marketing.
www.inserts.dma.org.ukDirect Selling Association — information and advice on Direct Selling in the UK.
www.dsa.org.ukEnterprise Builder — a paid-for management system that automates key processes within your business.
www.ebHub.bizFederation of Small Businesses (FSB) — a campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
www.fsb.org.ukFood Standards Agency — essential information for anyone setting up a business that handles food.
www.food.gov.ukForum of Private Business (Head Office) — lobbies on behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
www.fpb.co.ukHM Revenue & Customs National Advice Service (VAT) — HMRC is responsible for collecting the bulk of tax revenue as well as paying tax credits and child benefit. (Formerly Inland Revenue.)
www.hmrc.gov.ukHome Business Alliance — support for starting and expanding a home-based business.
www.homebusiness.org.ukICASS (The Innovator’s Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland) — a government initiative which provides specialist advice and counselling for Scotland’s inventors and small innovative companies.
Inbiz Ltd — self-employment and business start-up support. Free quarterly newsletter.
www.inbiz.co.ukInland Revenue – see HM Revenue and Customs
www.hmrc.gov.ukInnovateur — an initiative by experienced entrepreneurs which supports emerging ventures by sharing resources and know-how on a free and supportive basis.
www.innovation-dynamics.co.ukInstitute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) — provides advice on the role of being a Company Secretary in a limited company.
www.icsa.org.ukInstitute of Directors — a membership organisation for company directors, providing information, advice, training, conferences and publications.
www.iod.comInstitute of Leadership and Management — offers members and accredited centres the opportunity to invest in leadership and management competencies and skills.
www.i-l-m.comJust Start Ups — practical advice, information and services for new business startups as well as established sole traders and growing businesses. Helping you move from theory to practice.
www.nowletsgetstarted.co.ukThe Mail Order Traders Association — offers free information, advice and support in setting up a new business, new company, trade mark or brand, and domain name. Free online name search, so you can check to see if your business name is already in use.
www.anewbusiness.co.ukMarketest — when starting a business it's crucial that you gather as much information as possible about your potential market. Marketest specialise in online market research and are a Business Link approved suppllier.
www.marketest.co.ukMybusiness — an excellent online resource for start-ups and established businesses offering guidance on a wide range of business topics.
www.mybusiness.co.ukNational Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) — NESTA backs people of exceptional talent and imagination offering support to explore new ideas, develop new products and services, or experiment with new ways of nurturing creativity in science, technology and the arts.
www.nesta.org.ukNational Federation of Enterprise Agencies — helps you find your
nearest Enterprise Agency.
New Business — provides independent advice and guidance to small and medium-sized businesses through their website, the quarterly magazine New Business (see Magazines below), and the fortnightly
e-newsletter New Business Online.
www.newbusiness.co.ukOffice of Fair Trading (OFT) — business information and explanations of some of the laws that might affect you.
www.oft.gov.ukPRIME Initiative — a national organisation helping people over 50 to start their own businesses and become self-employed.
www.primeinitiative.org.ukThe Prince’s Trust — provides loans, grants and mentoring to young people aged between 18 and 30 years old who want to start or develop their own business.
Quick Formations — a quick and straightforward limited company formation service. Choose from four options: The Entrepreneur, the Director, The Executive or The Chairman.
Royal British Legion Small Business Advisory & Loan Scheme — will consider applications from unemployed ex-service people who are eligible for membership of the British Legion who want to start a business. Loans are available of up to £5,000 interest free for 5 years.
www.britishlegion.org.ukScottish Business Women — aims to inspire and prepare more women to start their own business.
www.scottishbusinesswomen.comSEED — through learning programmes, a support network, events and unique tools, SEED enables women to live and work according to the feminine principles of community, connection and collaboration.
www.seednetwork.comShell LiveWire —Ppromotes enterprise among 16–30 year olds. Businesses already running could benefit from the publications and training.
www.shell-livewire.orgSmallBiz — works in association with content providers to provide easy access to practical help for British small firms. The site also offers free Smallbiz Survival Packs on a range of topics.
www.smallbiz.uk.comSmall Business — a site for all areas of business with a forum to ask questions.
www.smallbusiness.co.ukSmall Business Advice Service — free and independent information and advice for entrepreneurs, owner managers and the self-employed who are starting or running a business with fewer than 10 staff and based in England. The Enquiry Service can link you directly to an Accredited Business Adviser — all members of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA).
www.smallbusinessadvice.org.ukSmall Business Service (DTI) — an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, the SBS manages Business Link, a network of advice centres run by local providers for small business around England.
www.sbs.gov.ukStartbusiness — a site run by experienced start-up advisers for those new to, or contemplating, starting their own business.
www.startbusiness.co.ukStartups — an information-packed resource for people starting up in business.
www.startups.co.ukStarting From Now — a very comprehensive website offering information and practical tools and services for anyone starting a UK-based business.
www.startingfromnow.comSuccess4Business — a free online resource from Lloyds TSB that helps registered users to build and manage their business.
www.success4business.comTrade Association Forum — provides information about UK trade associations and business sectors.
www.taforum.orgTrading Standards — advice that relates to specific regulations for different industries to ensure you are trading under the right licences. Online, you can find the nearest Trading Standards office to your postcode.
www.tradingstandards.gov.ukUK Business Clubs — provides links to a range of business club websites.
www.ukbusinessclubs.comValuation Office — compiles and maintains the business rating and council tax valuation lists for England and Wales. In Scotland, council tax and business rates are dealt with by the Scottish Assessors: www.saa.gov.uk
www.voa.gov.ukWelsh Development Agency — the Economic Development Agency for Wales, helping businesses to start, develop and grow.
Your Small Business — contains over 100 articles written by experts who continually update and add new content.
www.yoursmallbusiness.co.ukOther links
Exhibitions
Business Startup Exhibition — for people who want to start up a business or who already have one. For help with a whole range of start-up issues, visit this exhibition in Birmingham (June) or London (November). Free tickets are available online.
www.bstartup.comMagazines and newsletters
EnterQuest — free weekly e-newsletter from Cobweb which gives practical information to help you run and grow your business. A really excellent resource with genuinely useful advice and ideas. Back issues are also available by visiting their website archive.
Growing Business magazine — jargon-free, practical advice on everyday problems such as Human Resources, marketing, sales, legal and finance. Published 10 times a year. Subscribe through their website.
New Business magazine — The accompanying magazine to the excellent New Business website; packed full of information and resources for the business owner and in-depth profiles of well-known entrepreneurs. Published 4 times a year. Subscribe on their website.