Multiple Business / Website Names as a Sole Trader

pcfixmanchester

Hiya

After some advice on Multiple Business / Website Names as a Sole Trader.

I wanted to check that its ok to have a variety of websites/business cards with different business names on them to target niches in the market as a Sole Trader while still asking for all payments to be made to the one business name that my bank has.

I have three real threads to my business, IT Advice, IT Support and IT Training, and each is further split between home users and small business users.

Am I right in understanding that as long as each website has a "part of TheNameOfMyBusinessBank Account" at the bottom and any Invoices Issued are from "TheNameOfMyBusinessBank Account" then Iam free to market myself to different market segments with different names.

Sorry if ths sounds confusing, I realised I cant type in the actual examples as I dont want to break the MSE rules, but also want to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. If anyone wants to help me PM and I shall tell you exactly what I am trying to say then you can tell me if thats ok or not.

Thanks

Andy ;-)

fengirl_2

There is no register of business names, so you can trade under whatever name(s) you want. There are no rules for unincorporated organisations on stating the proprietor's name or main business name.

Pennywise

fengirl wrote: »

There is no register of business names, so you can trade under whatever name(s) you want. There are no rules for unincorporated organisations on stating the proprietor's name or main business name.

Sorry, there ARE rules for unincorporated businesses - see:-

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf3.shtml

You'll see that you'll have to show your name and address at the very least on websites, business correspondence, orders/invoices.

But back to your original question, yes you can be a sole trader with multiple business names - you just need to make all potential customers & suppliers aware of your name & address.

pcfixmanchester

Thanks for the quick replies.
I was sure it was going to be ok, but always best to check with you experts ;-)
All the websites have my Main Company details, with email, phone number and terms and conditions. However I have not put my address on it as yet as I moving quite soon. Is having the address a legal requirement, I see more and more webpages that dont have any contact details other than a contact form, and real addresses seem scarce amongst small business websites.
Obviously on Invoices and Agreements that are sent to clients I would put my address.
Do I really need to put my address on every website ? I am a Sole Trader not a LTD company if that makes the difference.

Thanks again for the swift responses both of you.

Andy ;-)

Ste_C

pcfixmanchester wrote: »

Do I really need to put my address on every website ? I am a Sole Trader not a LTD company if that makes the difference.

Thanks again for the swift responses both of you.

Andy ;-)

Don't know if you need to, but it probably offers more reassurance to customers knowing that you're not just a webpage in cyberspace. It would make me feel better knowing there was a physical address.

chickmug

Ste_C wrote: »

Don't know if you need to, but it probably offers more reassurance to customers knowing that you're not just a webpage in cyberspace. It would make me feel better knowing there was a physical address.

Below from Companies house says what you should put on your web site but I know very many firms that don't. I feel if you are a small business it is OK with customers as it is likely they will know your size, etc but if you are trying to pretend to be a bigger firm it is essential to put this sort of information as without it I just would not do business with that sort of company.

Be careful about putting your home address if that is where you are working from as I know those who are working for themsleves, have put their home addrss and have known customers knock on their doors - at the weekends, in the evening type of thing.


2. What information must be disclosed about a business?

You will need to disclose:

• the corporate name (if the company uses a different trading name); or
• the name of each partner; or
• the individual person's name; and
• in relation to each person named, an address at which documents can be served.

3. Where must this information be shown?


You will need to show the information clearly:

• in any place where you carry on your business and where you deal with customers or suppliers;
• on business correspondence ;
• on websites;
• on written orders for the supply of goods or services;
• on invoices and receipts;
• on written demands for the payment of business debts.

fengirl_2

The OP is an unincorporated business, ie a sole trader and so the info on the Companies House website does not apply to him.

Pennywise

fengirl wrote: »

The OP is an unincorporated business, ie a sole trader and so the info on the Companies House website does not apply to him.

If you look at the link, you'll see that IT DOES apply to unincorporated businesses.