Featured guide
How to Register a Business in the UK (2026 Step-by-Step)
Sole trader or limited company? Here's exactly what to file with HMRC and Companies House, what it costs, and how long each step takes.
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Guides, playbooks and UK startup know-how
No fluff and no recycled American advice — every article is written for UK founders and checked against current HMRC and Companies House rules.
Latest articles
Fresh from the founders' desk
New guides published every week, covering ideas, legal setup, tax and growth.
Ideas
17 Side Hustles You Can Start in the UK for Under £500
Low-capital businesses with genuine demand — ranked by startup cost, weekly hours and realistic first-year income.
Legal
Can International Students Run a Business on a UK Student Visa?
The self-employment rules explained in plain English, plus the freelance-style work that is and isn't allowed.
Growth
How to Land Your First 3 Clients for an AI Automation Agency
A repeatable outreach system: who to target, what to offer first, and the pricing that converts small UK businesses.
Tax
The UK VAT Threshold Explained for Small Business Owners
When you must register, what flat rate schemes mean for you, and the mistakes that trigger unexpected HMRC bills.
Pricing
Pricing Your Services: The Formula UK Freelancers Get Wrong
Stop guessing day rates. Work backwards from your target income, billable hours and true business costs.
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The essential reading order
Week 1
Choose an idea you can actually deliver
Match your skills, budget and available hours before falling in love with a business model.
Week 2
Validate demand locally
Ten conversations with real potential customers beats a month of research.
Week 3
Register and get compliant
Sole trader or limited company, business bank account, insurance and any required licences.
Week 4
Price it properly
Set rates from your target income and true costs, not from what competitors charge.
Month 2
Win the first five customers
Referrals, local outreach and one channel done well — not six channels done badly.