Free Business Advice

Getting the right advice is paramount to your success, sourcing reliable experts is the first step in that process.

We’ve selected some of the best sources available to you (listed alphabetically):

Asian Business Development Network (ABDN)

To assist in the development of Minority Ethnic businesses through an active network that shares best practice, creates access to opportunities and represents its members at the highest level. ABDN’s objective is to carry on activities which benefit the Minority Ethnic (ME) community

Black Business Initiative (BBI)

BBI is a social enterprise agency set up to recognise and celebrate the economic contributions of Black and Minority Ethnic community, and in particular, Black people to the economic development of Britain. BBI promotes and sustain entrepreneurial culture within the Black community, most especially among Black youths.

British Chamber of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce is a non-political, non-profit making organisation, owned and directed by its members, democratically accountable to individual businesses of all sizes and sectors throughout the UK. Every Chamber sits at the very heart of its local business community; reaching the entire business community and providing services, information and guidance to its members.

Business Link

Business Link is an exceptionally valuable resource, the website is managed by HM Revenue & Customs on behalf of the cross-government “Business.Gov” programme. It is an entirely government-funded operation, so the information included here is unbiased and impartial, validated by the most authoritative and reputable bodies.

It draws on the expertise of key government bodies that deal with business, such as Companies House, the Department for Business, enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Environment Agency, the Department for Education and Skills, the Health & Safety Executive, the Home Office, HM Revenue & Customs, and many others.

It is one of the best places for any UK small business owner to start a search for information or support. Comprising of

• 430 guides that give you easy, plain English explanations of key business issues such as finance, employing people, tax and sector regulations.
• A network of more than 40 local Business Link operators
• A database of 2,500 grant and support schemes
• Listings of hundreds of events across the country (many of them free)
• A contacts directory of more than 4,000 organisations and trade bodies
• More than 25 interactive tools on the site, designed to give straightforward answers to complex questions, such as “Do I need to register for VAT?”, and “Do I need to register with the Information Commissioner?”

City Business Library

The City Business Library is a public reference library specialising in current business information which is intended to be of practical use. If you need information more than five years old, or your are interested in business history, we advise you to contact Guildhall Library.

DTI Small Business Services

On 17 July 2007, Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Competitiveness, announced the renaming of the ‘Small Business Service’ as the ‘Enterprise Directorate’. The new name reflects the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) emphasis on enterprise and growth. The Enterprise Directorate continues to be the expert policy unit on small business issues throughout Government.

Direct Gov

Direct Gov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online.
Produced by the Central Office of Information, Directgov provides information from across UK government departments on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave to special educational needs and local NHS services.The site also gives you access to government directories, as well as links to relevant third parties who can offer additional trusted advice and support.

Federation of Small Businesses

The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political and is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 210,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches. On the member benefits side, it offers assistance and support 24 hours a day, while its lobbying arm – led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office – applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall, lobbies politicians in their constituencies and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media.

HM Customs and Excise

The HMRC (Revenue & Customs) website provides clear and comprehensive information and guidelines to help businesses and employers meet their requirements.

For employers, the website offers information on registering a new business, filing a company tax return, registering for VAT, getting help with VAT payment problems and so on.

For businesses, the HMRC offers advice on how to register a new business, file a company tax return, register for VAT, getting help with VAT payment problems, submitting a VAT Return, corporation tax. They also provide free workshops, help and advice in a number of areas that including tax issues when starting up a new business.

Prowess

Prowess is a UK-wide advocacy network that supports the growth of women’s business ownership through the development of an effective women-friendly business support infrastructure and enterprise culture. BY raising awareness, providing capacity building support to organisations which provide enterprise support services and by lobbying and advocacy at national, regional, European and local levels.

UK Small Business Directory

The UK Small Business Directory provides a free service to small UK Business enabling them to publicise their online presence, and a free service to the public to help locate local businesses. Both user friendly and search engine friendly, the UK Small Business Directory provides a brief description of the service provided, contact details of the service provider and a hyperlink to selected businesses websites. Registering a business is a simple 5 minute process via the appropriate links to the left of this page.

To discuss how our internet marketing services can improve your internet marketing results, contact us on 0845 468 1365 or email us.