Start-Up Business Checklist (UK)

Make sure there’s a real market before you spend money.

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Write your business idea down in a sentence or two Chapter 1

If you can’t explain it simply, your customers won’t understand it either.
Think about what makes you the right person to run it Chapter 1

The ‘Brand You’ worksheet helps you look at your own story and strengths.
Research your target market Chapter 3

Who will buy from you, how many of them are there, and where do they shop?
Look closely at your competitors Chapter 3

What do they charge, what do they do well, and where can you do better?
Create a picture of your ideal customer Chapter 3

The Avatar worksheet turns your research into one real-feeling person you can market to.

You are the business’s most important asset.

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Assess your skills, confidence and organisation Chapter 5

Be honest about your strengths and the areas where you’ll need support.
Work out your Personal Survival Budget Chapter 6

How much does the business need to pay you each month to cover your living costs?
Find support around you Chapter 5

Chambers of Commerce and other business support organisations can help you along the way.
British Chambers of Commerce (opens in a new tab)

Know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and when.

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Prepare your first cash flow forecast Chapter 7

Plan money coming in against money going out, month by month.
Set money aside for your Self Assessment tax bill Chapter 7

Use HMRC’s calculator to estimate what you might owe.
Self Assessment tax calculator (opens in a new tab)
Look at funding options if you need them Chapter 8
Start Up Loans on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Summarise your plan on one page Chapter 2

The Business Plan Summary pulls everything together, and is useful if you ever speak to a lender.

Get the legal and tax essentials right from day one.

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Choose your business structure Chapter 8

Sole trader, partnership or limited company: each has different responsibilities.
Choosing a structure on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Check the rules for your business name Chapter 8
Naming rules for sole traders (opens in a new tab)
Register with HMRC for Self Assessment Chapters 1 & 8

Check GOV.UK for the deadline that applies to you.
Register for Self Assessment (opens in a new tab)
Check whether you need to register for VAT Chapter 8
VAT registration on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Check for any licences, insurance or checks you need Chapter 3

For example, a DBS check if you’ll work with children or vulnerable adults.
DBS Check Online (opens in a new tab)

Put simple systems in place before your first customer.

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Open a separate business bank account Chapter 5

Keeping business and personal money apart makes your records far easier.
Set up simple bookkeeping Chapters 5 & 8

Know which records you must keep, and for how long.
Records you need to keep (opens in a new tab)
Plan your marketing, sales and customer service Chapter 4

How will customers find you, buy from you, and come back again?
Build your online presence Chapter 4

Free courses can help you get started with digital marketing.
Google Skillshop (opens in a new tab)

Starting is just the beginning.

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Plan your launch and the year ahead Chapter 4

The Events Calendar helps you plan your marketing around key dates.
Compare your budget with what really happens Chapter 7

Update your Budget v Actual cash flow forecast every month.
Review your progress regularly Chapter 8

The Improvement Circle helps you spot what’s working and what to change.

Start-up Checklist