Starting a business – the non-accounting bits 

Luckily being an accountant there was an air of confidence in setting up Veritons.  Setting up businesses is what I have done for years – incorporations, VAT and PAYE registrations, self-assessment….all vitally important stuff that I was very familiar with.  So I’m going to talk about the other mainly non-financial aspects of starting a business that I learnt along the way.

Website

Without doubt an essential in todays’ age. 

  • If time is on your side, then play around with the website design.  There are very easy packages that come with templates and it’s nowhere near as daunting as first seems.  
  • I previously thought search engines were the equivalent of using the “find” function on Word, but there is SO much to it.  Key words, ad words, Search Engine Optimisation, business listings…..Even just getting your business to appear is an art form.  Allow for both time and expert advice to get this right. 
  • View it as a Powerpoint presentation and not beat yourself up if it’s not perfect from the start.  You learn new things, have new experiences, and the website can be updated to incorporate these.  It’s not set in stone. 

Bank accounts 

  • Loads of the banks offer Apps and websites to open a business account and the technology really makes it a doddle. 
  • There are still bank accounts which are not supported for bank feeds to Xero and/or Quickbooks.  There is always the possibility of uploading csv files as a workaround but if your aim is to fully utilise bank feeds make sure you check compatibility before opening the account. 

Branding

  • When speaking to graphic designers, website designers etc, make sure you explain your vision for your business.  You will have an idea of how you want your business to be perceived, and they will work with you to make sure that is what people see.  From the logo, to the colours on the website, even to the font – they all play a part in the perception. 
  • Use friends and family.  I bombarded the family WhatsApp group with different logo designs, different fonts, and a link to the website every time I made a change.  Getting their feedback is invaluable. 

Insurance

  • My only tip – don’t forget about it!  

There are times when it feels stressful, especially when you go through the to-do list and cross off 4 things but add 5 more – but enjoy the processes.  I loved learning about areas I had never seen before, and yes sometimes I loved handing it over to an expert but was still grateful to have at least a basic understanding.  If you are setting up a business then Veritons can certainly help, not just in the services we offer but by also sharing experiences, so send us a message to book your free discovery meeting. You can also sign up to our factsheets which contain much more information on the process of starting a business – sign up to download here.