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For UK trades and local services

Set your business up
properly. The system that works.

Eight stages take you from “I want to go self-employed” to registered, banked, named, branded, findable and compliant. One action at a time.

Start your setupI already have an account

One next action, always

No overwhelming checklists. START IT shows the single thing to do next, and unlocks the rest as you go.

Official links only

Every action points at the real GOV.UK, HMRC or Companies House page — no guesswork, no dead ends.

Built around your structure

Sole trader, partnership or limited company: your plan only shows the tasks that actually apply to you.

The eight stages

  1. 01

    CREATE YOUR BUSINESS

    Choose a name that is legal and free to use, then create your logo.

  2. 02

    DOMAIN & BUSINESS EMAIL

    Secure your web address and set up a proper business email.

  3. 03

    BUILD WEBSITE & GOOGLE PRESENCE

    Website, Google Business Profile and the ways customers reach you.

  4. 04

    CHOOSE YOUR BUSINESS STRUCTURE

    Decide how the business is legally set up.

  5. 05

    REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS

    Register with HMRC or Companies House and check VAT and CIS.

  6. 06

    BUSINESS BANKING

    Open the account your business money goes through.

  7. 07

    ACCOUNTING & PAYMENTS

    Records, branded quotes and invoices, and how customers pay you.

  8. 08

    COMPLIANCE & INSURANCE

    Check what applies, insure the business and store the paperwork.

Begin stage one