10 essential key steps to starting your own small business

As you embark on the journey of starting your own small business, it's essential to navigate the regulatory landscape, including considerations for corporation tax, one of the key steps that demand strategic planning to ensure financial compliance and sustainable growth.

Research and planning

Before you dive in with both feet, it is highly recommended to come up with an in-depth, plan of your business idea. Drawing up a business plan will give you the edge you need. Starting a business can be very expensive so making a plan will help you to budget your finances.

Sometimes we think we have the best idea on the planet, and in some cases this is true! but it is worth doing some market research before you start investing in your business idea. Your goal is the get impartial feedback, so don't ask friends or family about your business idea, create a short and simple questionnaire and go ask people you don't know to get a true sense if there is a demand for your service or product.

Seeking Help

If you find yourself struggling at some point do not be ashamed to seek professional help, this may even be your best option. Shadowing someone with experience will give you knowledge of the business world. If you do some Google searches you will probably find a lot of government-funded business support organisations.

These organisations are there to help you. Before contacting them write down a list of support that you need.

Your business location

Finding the right location for your business is key to success. You will need somewhere that brings in clients. Search for an area that fits your criteria, this will give you the extra mile over other businesses in your niche.

If possible work from home, this can save you a lot of cash not having to pay rent for an office. That cash you save can be invested directly in your business marketing.

Funding your business

Every business needs funding, it is vital to the opening and upkeep. You can get help from family or friends, investors, capital firms, and the government. Again do a Google search and look are government business support schemes, in some cases, you may be able to get some free cash or a loan at a very low rate. 

Figuring out the legal structure

For most this is the tricky part of the process. There are many ways you can go about forming the legal structures of your business. Check your country's government legal structures.

Company formation in the UK is very simple, this can be done directly on companies house or using a third party.

Register your business

The exciting part, the part that makes it all sink in, register your business’s name. Once you are finished finalising the name of your business, then you are ready to register it with your government. In the UK you can simply to go companies house website and download the forms to register a new limited company.

Register for state and local taxes

Everyone has to pay taxes, if not you could be sent to prison. As mentioned above, it is highly recommended to hire an expert for this part, just to make sure it is all above board and done correctly. Find a reliable accountant that can help you organise your taxes and help you save as well!

Creating your company logo

Another fun part. A logo design is the face of the business, something clients will see first. Make sure it is eye-catching and draws people's attention. Understanding what your company is and what you want to achieve will give you the upper hand at this stage. You can add a strapline to your logo to give a clear message about what your business offers.

Website Design

This is a place customers will visit often. Make sure it is jam-packed with information about your business. Make the function simple and understandable. Get your developer to optimise your website for mobile devices and start reading up on search engine optimisation. In many cases, the correct website design solution is essential to your business success.

Try to find a web developer with a minimum of 5 to 8 years of experience.

Social Media

Social media profiles will help people understand more about your business and give you the chance to promote it too. Make sure they engage with people and share information that attracts people towards your company.

Why not check out some more startup tips in the infographic below created by Designhill.

(Click to enlarge infographic)

Article created by: DCP London Web Design