Register a Business in the UK Small Business Directory

Registering a business in the UK Small Business Directory is a simple 5 minute process and is free to all UK based businesses

See our Free Business Advertising page for further information

Registering a Business – .GOV.UK Information

Register your business
Most businesses register as a sole trader, limited company or partnership.

Sole traders
It’s simpler to set up as a sole trader, but you’re personally responsible for your business’s debts. You also have some accounting responsibilities.

Find out more about being a sole trader and how to register.

Limited companies
If you form a limited company, its finances are separate from your personal finances, but there are more reporting and management responsibilities.

Some people get help from a professional, for example an accountant, but you can set up a company yourself.

Partnerships
A partnership is the simplest way for 2 or more people to run a business together.

You share responsibility for your business’s debts. You also have accounting responsibilities. Find out more about being in a partnership and how to register.

Rules for your type of business
You may have other responsibilities depending on what your business does.

Check if you need:

licences or permits, for example to play music, sell food or to trade in the street
insurance
There are also rules you must follow if you:

sell goods online
buy goods from abroad or sell goods abroad
store or use personal information

Where you work
Check what your responsibilities are if you:

run your business from home
rent somewhere to run your business from
If you rent or buy a property, you may have to pay business rates. Small businesses can apply for a discount on business rates and some may pay nothing.

Check if you can claim office, property and equipment as expenses.

Taking on people to help
If you take on agency workers or freelancers you have some responsibilities, for example their health and safety.

Becoming an employer
There are things you’ll need to do if you take on your own employees. You’ll have more responsibilities, including:

running payroll
paying for their National Insurance – but you can claim an allowance to reduce your bill
providing workplace pensions to eligible staff
Get help and support
You can get help with setting up your business.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business