SB: Small Business Start Up Discussion

Iffy'swifey

I would also like to know if there is computer software that would allow me to design my own "logo" and then have it printed onto stationary?

Thank you

knithappens

Looking to start my own small online business. I am so confused over tax. I work fulltime, so this business will start off evenings/weekends. What i have read so far is that i will have to register for tax as self employed, but i will still be working so am confused about that.

Also I am confused over VAT, when charging for a product. I dont expect to be making much profit when i first start up. ( Being realistic here lol) SO am confused whether i have to register for paying VAt, do i charge my customers VAt or not?

I hope I am making sense with all this, as it makes sense in my mind.

helen_vasey

my hubby and me are just in the process of setting up an internet based selling business, to do with extreme sports, the business link website and the hmrc site have been invaluable in sorting out what , at the start seems to be very complicated, you do not have to register for vat until your turnover is £61k, when you buy from suppliers, the vat is charged and you just pass the cost on to your customer, as in a normal shop. the self assessment form you get is very simple , if you are an employee , you just put the details on the form, did this yesterday (you can download and print it straight from hmrc website.) we have registered our domain name for about £7. we are looking now for a host site that we can develop ourselves. we booked ourselves in for a free advice session with an accountant, but I think I will do a book keeping course myself, as our business will be quite straightforward. ( the accountancy fees were high , £700-1000 pa!). we have sourced suppliers and have applied to open accounts with them, we are in the process of opening a business a/c with abbey. I am meeting a couple of printing firms next week to get prices for leaflets etc. at the start it is very daunting but I have found the easiest way is to make a list of to do things in the order of importance; i.e.1. register with the tax office. 2: contact suppliers. 3: register domain name. etc. etc. If anyone has any good websites' hosting ideas ( with shopping cart and credit card payment availability) please let me know. we will also be setting up an ebay shop with a condensed product range, does anyone know if you can have a link from an ebay shop to your own site?

ramesheuk

Hi Gurus,

I need some help from all of you. My wife wants to start a business. She wants to sell gadgets in online and wants to import from China. Please could any one help me how to start this business and what are the basic things to do for starting this type of business. And Please let me know if you have any idea about import duties and taxes for china products.

Thanks in Advance.

Epiphone

I haven't read all the thread so apologies if I'm repeating anyone.

Step 1: Find a good accountant.
Step 2: ask accountant to do all your other points. Most will help you with a bank account, the rest will at least recommend one.

Good luck!

sashabella_2

Hello

might i suggest a one stop shop to get all your advertising and print done.


when started my business up it was difficult to make special journies out to each and every business that might be able to help me. I realized that the best friend a new company can have is the internet. from the comfort of my favourite armchair i could research everything from competition to best prices for materials and services.

on my travels I came across a site which enables the customer to either design their own stationary on the website and then pay and within a week it all arrived. Or you could design your stuff before and they would check it and print it for you. The more I looked the more I found, from stickers to billboards. Stamps to brochures. They were called flyer24.co.uk

I hope I was some help.:T

Sam_Bee

Wow.

Having spent 10 months getting going, my first response to 99% of you is:

Speak to Businesslink if you are serious.

And remember if you would not be prepared to put your own money in, why should anyone else??

And, finally, speak to Businesslink some more.

amosworks

Does anyone know the best place to go for Articles of Association if one is looking to do the uber-money-saving approach and go for the DIY £20 option, and not use a professional?

Cheers in advance!

moanymoany

Iffy'swifey wrote: »

Hello.

I am looking into starting up my own online cloth nappy retail business and am confused about a few things, which are going to make me sound really stupid!

I have requested wholesale prices from various companies, but am not sure if the prices quoted include VAT? I've heard a lot about "VAT receipts" and know nothing about it, let alone how to make or ask for one...do I need to?

I have found out about possible training and funding local to me, which is all very helpful, but am wondering if it will fully meet my needs.

Will I need business insurance if working from home?

Where is the best place to have my website designed and hosted (including domain name, email address linked to the website and secure shopping facility)

Will I need to register with Companies House?

Can I just be a sole trder or will I need to be limited?

Will the business training teach me all this so am I wasting your time???

Thanks in advance, and any cheapskate top tips are welcome!

Google 'starting own business' lots of links. Best place to start is HM Revenue & Customs: Starting in business they will tell you all you want to know.

Middlestitch

Masses of free expert help for businesses of all sizes if you try https://www.informex.org.uk - it's just started up and you can 'buy' credits (to ask questions) free while it is in test mode, so well worth visiting and registering now to do just that!