Thinking of going it alone and starting your own business? It can be an exciting step, and if you succeed the rewards can be enormous. But at the same time, it's vital to get the basics right before you launch. You could probably do with some small business advice.
So you need to do some homework before you risk your money. Here, we give you ten top tips to get on the right track from the start.
1. Focus on your product
Whatever your business, you need to make sure you really know what you're doing. Who else is in the market? If there's plenty of competition, what are you doing to make your business stand out? If you've found a niche - either a product that doesn't exist, or a service not available locally - think about why nobody else is doing it. There may be a good reason for it not being available.
2. What kind of company are you?
Deciding on what type of company you set up is key. It affects the kind of finance you get to work with, the roles and responsibilities of the owners and your tax status. For start-ups, there are effectively three main options - a sole trader, a limited partnership or a limited company. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages, and it's well worth doing some research on each to see what is best for you.
3. Which bank?
Despite the current economic turmoil, banks are still keen for business from start-ups, and many offer a range of incentives. While the benefits of free banking for a year or cheap initial overdrafts may seem vital, it's more important to look at the long-term value, so compare the fees and charges once your deal period ends before you take the plunge.
4. Other financial services
No matter which business bank account you choose, you don't have to take all the products you need with it. If you need a small business insurance quote or a loan rate, compare the prices of the whole market to get the best deal.
5. Check your liabilities
As a business owner, you have responsibilities to your customers, your employees and your suppliers. If you fail in those responsibilities, you could be held liable for any injuries or damage that result. Make sure you have liability insurance in place to cover yourself against any claims.
6. Take advice
You can't be an instant expert in all areas of running your business, so don't be afraid to ask for help. Professional groups, such as your bank, will be able to give you information and advice on some areas, but it never hurts to canvas friends and family for their tips.
7. Don't ignore the paperwork
There are legal implications for businesses that don't keep up with their administration, but a disorganised approach to your paperwork means that you will miss opportunities and fail to spot any potential obstacles ahead.
8. Know the law
All businesses are subject to certain laws, and there will also be rules and regulations specific to what you do. Make sure you keep within the rules - the penalties can be huge and your reputation may never recover.
9. Get the marketing right
Understand where your potential customers are and build up a strategy to attract them - they're unlikely to come to you. Julia Payne, co-founder of The Edge Business Club told The SME Club in November 2010: "The best strategies are usually the simplest, so when setting your marketing strategy make it achievable and ensure it fits within your budget." .
10 Don't give up!
There will be obstacles and you'll have good and bad days, but building up a new business is always going to be hard work and the biggest successes tend to come from the businesspeople who try the hardest.
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking (bank accounts and savings accounts), credit cards, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 140,000 people. Barclays moves, invests and protects money and provides business bank accounts, home insurance, cash ISA, personal loan, life insurance and other services for over 49 million customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.co.uk.
