Starting a business in the UK can be expensive, time consuming and stressful, with no guarantee that your business will succeed.  By keeping informed and ahead of the business trends, your business has a greater chance of taking off and prospering once started.  Whether you’re looking for information on how to write a business plan or what government grants are available to you, these resources are must-know sites before making any business ventures.

[two_third last=”no”]This website is the ultimate resource for anyone in the UK wanting to start, buy or setup their own business.  The Startups Blog has tabs that cover all kinds of information that would be interesting and useful to anyone looking to get into business in the UK on any level.  The best thing about this blog is that there is an abundance of information beyond the initial business concerns; it extends to finance, sales and marketing, dealing with issues as small as how to decide which payment devices would be best for your business.  There is also tips and advice on the user forum for almost any business issue.

• Target: People at different stages of business development
• Sample article: How to name your startup business

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Startup
• Finance
• Marketing

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[two_third last=”no”]The best resource for women in the UK in business or looking to get into business.  This site has information and advice on how to start and grow a business in the UK as a woman, as well as information on funding, how to balance family life with business and how to network with other women in business.  This website includes links to videos and stories from successful business women in the UK, plus links to news and research concerning the business climate in the UK.  The creators of the website wanted to create a support system for women venturing into business and build a community where they can share tips and successes.

Target: Women in business or looking to get into business
Sample article: Startup Stories: 6 Women in 6 Seconds

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Women entrepreneurship
• Success stories
• Funding

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[two_third last=”no”]A website that offers information on everything from government grants to employing staff—this website offers information on every aspect of business in the UK.  The major difference between this website and other business websites is the abundant information on legal advice and legal aspects of business.  This site even offers information and advice on working from home to finding office space.  There is also a franchise directory on this site, allowing users to search by investment level or business category.   Since getting into business is a major investment and very costly, the information available on this website helps small businesses understand and acquire applicable grants to their business.

Target: Business owners looking to expand
Sample article: Businesses neglecting online marketing

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Employing staff
• Sales
• Legal advice

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[two_third last=”no”]Though not exclusively a UK company, Formacompany has over 20 years of incorporation experience and specializes in European companies.  Though this site focuses on incorporating small businesses, it also has advice and pages of information on starting up a business and establishing bank accounts.  This website is for those that wish to start a business with the help of professional services to ensure as much security as possible, or people that have a successful small business and want a service that helps them incorporate to minimize possible losses.

Target: small business owners
Sample article: UK Ready Made Companies

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• incorporation
• startup
• namechecking

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[two_third last=”no”]An excellent resource for those wanting to get into business in the UK but lacking the know-how to write an above-average business plan.  This website offers a plethora of information on not only business plan writing, but how to get your business started, how to keep it running once it’s started and once it’s established, how to incorporate it.  This resource provides the extra info missing from other business sites to properly start and run a business in the UK.

Target: People starting a business
Sample article: Crafting your elevator pitch

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Business plans
• Marketing
• Software

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[two_third last=”no”]Are you a student looking to start your own business but lacking the capital?  Then this is the site for you.  Nacue is an organization that supports entrepreneurial youth in universities across the UK.  They support endeavors at 135 campuses across the country while also holding conferences to bring these students together to give them the information and support they need to keep their business going, and give them more business skills once they get out into the world.  Nacue aims to give students the community, capital and support they need to create a profitable and lasting business while they are in school.

Target: Young entrepreneurs
Sample article: Startup Stories: My Health Cards

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• College entrepreneurship
• Success stories
• Marketing

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[two_third last=”no”]This is a unique platform run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.  It provides a platform and community to allow entrepreneurs to connect with each other and trade tips and successes on conducting business as an entrepreneur.  The unique thing about Smarta is that they offer free advice from professionals in business such as accountants, other successful entrepreneurs and lawyers, completely free of charge.  This becomes the place to come with questions or concerns about your business that will offer answers or advice in which ever form will help you most—articles, videos, or personal advice.

Target: Entrepreneurs
Sample article: Five tips to make you a better networker

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Mentoring
• Training
• Networking

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[two_third last=”no”]For entrepreneurs that have a high-growth rate, this is the platform to be on.  Real Business offers entrepreneurs a way to communicate with other high-growth businesses to gain a successful entrepreneur’s insight and analysis on business practices. This site also connects entrepreneurs with owner-managers, which is something unique to these sorts of resources.  They also incorporate a list of the top 30 entrepreneurs in the UK and their success stories as inspiration to other entrepreneurs and business minded individuals.  Since Real Business has grown to such an influence in the business world, it has become the major source of support for entrepreneurs on a larger scale in the UK.

Target: Established entrepreneurs
Sample article: Are you recruiting?

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Growth
• HR
• Optimization

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[two_third last=”no”]The team members behind Entrepreneur Country seek to connect those with business ideas and those with the capital to make those business dreams a reality.  Entrepreneur Country creates a community and a platform for investors, corporate partners and entrepreneurs who can form a working relationship together.  The unique thing about Entrepreneur Country is that they not only act as a resource for entrepreneurs but also as a source of inspiration for those thinking about getting into business as an entrepreneur.  The site places a huge importance on entrepreneurism for business in general and also the future of the UK.

Target: Investors, Entrepreneurs
Sample article: Customer Service is the new PR

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Finance
• Politics
• Technology

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[two_third last=”no”]The best resource for young entrepreneurs to connect and learn together through video blog entries.  Virgin Media Pioneers want to supply these young business minds with everything they need to start their business and make it successful.  The members of the site connect with each other and video, blog, and chat together to create a networking community where they can develop their skills and meet others who share their passion.  The site also provides other articles and videos to help these entrepreneurs with any questions they may have and enable them to grow their outlook on business.  Through the site, members can also attend training and networking events to increase their reach and skills.

Target: Aspiring entrepreneurs
Sample article: Top 10 tips for aspiring entrepreneurs

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]

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Main topics:

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• Inspiration
• Success stories
• Networking

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Specialise in business recovery and publish a range of articles and blog posts on the subject

[highlight color=”grey”]Go to the website[/highlight]