More businesses than ever before are using search engine advertising (also known as Pay Per Click) to promote their businesses. Pay per click (PPC) provides a quick way to target people who are looking at topics associated with your business; as well as giving you an instant presence on search engines.To help, BizHelp24 has produced a free beginner’s guide to search engine advertising; demonstrating what it is, how it works, and what it can do for your business.

If you have not yet found out whether you need to act ready for the forthcoming changes in employee annual leave; you need to act quickly or you could face fines as well as unhappy employees! From 1st October, the minimum holiday entitlement for full time employees will be 24 (up from 20); rising again to 28 days from 1st April 2009.

As someone with an interest in small business, you are probably aware of just how many issues there are that can affect it. A new report from the Institute of Directors (IoD) has identified the key issues that cause businesses the most trouble.

The top five SME concerns were: ...

Almost three quarters (74.7%) of smaller businesses say that late payments severely affect cash flow and pose a ‘considerable threat' to the viability of the firm, according to a survey carried out by the Forum of Private Business (FPB). In particular, respondents blame big business for delays.

Fraud – Businesses Continue to Suffer

Fraud affects hundreds of businesses every year, and can be financially damaging, stressful, time wasting, and even damage your image. Yet sadly the amount of fraud against both the government (Vat fraud) and businesses is still increasing.New research from BDO Stoy Hayward shows that not only is fraud against businesses increasing; but that the larger the amount stolen, the less likely the fraudster is to be caught...

If your business was disrupted or damaged by the recent floods, then you could be eligible for tax relief and advice from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The Government will bring forward legislation in next year's Finance Bill which will allow the Commissioners of HM Revenue and Customs to waive interest and surcharges on tax paid late due to the floods.
Read full article

Is Your Business Being Damaged by Late Payment?

If your business receives queries by email, then you need to make sure that you respond to them quickly; otherwise, a new survey has found that you could be pushing your customers to your competitors.The 'Fasthosts Customer Service Email Study' found that the average British consumer is only willing to wait up to 24 hours for a reply, with one in five (19 per cent) abandoning their enquiry after only 12 hours...
Read full article

The Number One Invoice Finance Company for Small Businesses
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.
Find Out More


Promote Your Business for Free

[Our free offer is still available, take advantage now before the site moves to paid listings!]As a valued BizHelp24 subscriber you have been invited to submit your business or service to our new Business Finder site. This new site will help to promote your business to thousands of potential customers.
In order for the Business Finder to become one of the most useful business directories we are asking BizHelp24 subscribers to get their products and services listed before we open to all businesses.
Read full article

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are well known for working long hours to grow their business; but a new survey has shown that many are damaging their work-life balance by failing to take holidays and adequate breaks.
British entrepreneurs are clocking up over 47 hours every week, according to a survey into the work life-balance culture of Britain's small business managers...
Read full article

Running a business is not easy, and a new survey has found that a large number of small businesses get much more beneficial services from their accountant than just accountancy!
A survey from business software provider Sage has shown that over three-quarters of business owners (76 percent) feel that their relationship with their accountant is very important to the smooth running of their business.
Read full article

Which Personality Does Your Business' Owner Have?

If you are starting, or have recently started a business; you may be interested to know that one of the UK’s major banks has launched a new start up offer with 2 years free business banking.
With business bank accounts you usually have to pay to deposit and withdraw money; but with the new account from Natwest these charges are free until the third year...
Read full article

Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.
Read full article

Promote Your Business for Free
[Our free offer is still available, take advantage now before the site moves to paid listings!]
As a valued BizHelp24 subscriber you have been invited to submit your business or service to our new Business Finder site. This new site will help to promote your business to thousands of potential customers.
In order for the Business Finder to become one of the most useful business directories we are asking BizHelp24 subscribers to get their products and services listed before we open to all businesses.
Read full article

How to Guide: Patents and Trademarks
After our recent news article on Online Patent Applications, we have had a number of requests for more detailed information on patents and trademarks. As you can now search and apply for trademarks and patents online, the process is easier than ever before, but can still be complicated for new users.So here is a brief look at what patents and trademarks are, and how you can apply for them; we have also updated our articles on the two subjects...
Read full article

Are Slow Responses to Emails Costing You Sales?
If your business receives queries by email, then you need to make sure that you respond to them quickly; otherwise, a new survey has found that you could be pushing your customers to your competitors.The 'Fasthosts Customer Service Email Study' found that the average British consumer is only willing to wait up to 24 hours for a reply, with one in five (19 per cent) abandoning their enquiry after only 12 hours...
Read full article

Are You Working Long Hours to Help Growth?
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are well known for working long hours to grow their business; but a new survey has shown that many are damaging their work-life balance by failing to take holidays and adequate breaks.
British entrepreneurs are clocking up over 47 hours every week, according to a survey into the work life-balance culture of Britain's small business managers...
Read full article

Accountants -Small Businesses' Unsung Heroes?
Running a business is not easy, and a new survey has found that a large number of small businesses get much more beneficial services from their accountant than just accountancy!
A survey from business software provider Sage has shown that over three-quarters of business owners (76 percent) feel that their relationship with their accountant is very important to the smooth running of their business.
Read full article

Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
The Number One Invoice Finance Company for Small Businesses
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.
Find Out More

Free Banking for New Small Businesses
If you are starting, or have recently started a business; you may be interested to know that one of the UK’s major banks has launched a new start up offer with 2 years free business banking.
With business bank accounts you usually have to pay to deposit and withdraw money; but with the new account from Natwest these charges are free until the third year...
Read full article

Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24
Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.
Read full article

If you use, manufacture, import, or retail electrical goods then you may be aware of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (WEEE), which have been delayed several times but are now law.The final part of the regulations came into force on 1st July alongside the smoking regulations; and if you have not found out already you must find out now whether you need to act.

If your business sells tobacco products (including vending machines and cigarette papers), then you must be prepared for the change in the minimum age for buying these products.From 1st October 2007, the minimum age for buying tobacco products will go up to 18 (from 16); and failure to follow the law could get your business into trouble.

Embracing Technology Can Help Your Business Grow Faster!

If your business is growing, then you may be interested in a survey by Cisco that shows just how much of an effect embracing technology can have. The survey polled more than 600 business and IT directors across the UK from various sized companies, and clearly highlights a relationship between strategic IT adoption and business success.

If your business has intellectual property and needs to file patents; then you will know how time consuming the process can be.
Happily, the UK Intellectual Property Office has launched a new online patent application service; which will speed up the process of filing patents, and hopefully make it less complicated.

Smoke Free Legislation - A Guide

If your business is in England and has its own premises or work vehicles then you need to make sure you are complying with the Smoke Free Regulations of July 1st 2007.To help your business comply with the law, we have produced an easy to understand guide on what you need to know about the Smoke Free rules.


The Number One Invoice Finance Company for Small Businesses
Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.

Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.

If your business sends a lot of post, then you need to be prepared for the postal strike taking place on Friday 29th June; and possibly again in early July.
The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) have confirmed that strike will be going ahead, as a dispute over pay was not settled. Unless a last minute agreement is found, then Royal Mail deliveries across the country will be crippled...

If your business has intellectual property and needs to file patents; then you will know how time consuming the process can be.
Happily, the UK Intellectual Property Office has launched a new online patent application service; which will speed up the process of filing patents, and hopefully make it less complicated.

Smoke Free Legislation - A Guide

If your business is in England and has its own premises or work vehicles then you need to make sure you are complying with the Smoke Free Regulations of July 1st 2007.To help your business comply with the law, we have produced an easy to understand guide on what you need to know about the Smoke Free rules.


Promote Your Business for Free

[Our free offer is still available, take advantage now before the site moves to paid listings!]
As a valued BizHelp24 reader you have been invited to submit your business or service to our new Business Finder site. This new site will help to promote your business to thousands of potential customers.
In order for the Business Finder to become one of the most useful business directories we are asking BizHelp24 readers to get their products and services listed before we open to all businesses.

The Number One Invoice Finance Company for Small Businesses
Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.

As a valued BizHelp24 reader you have been invited to submit your business or service to our new Business Finder site. This new site will help to promote your business to thousands of potential customers.
In order for the Business Finder to become one of the most useful business directories we are asking BizHelp24 readers to get their products and services listed before we open to all businesses.


Struggling to Hold onto Staff? - Improve Your Training and Recruitment

If your business struggles to hold onto talented staff, then you are certainly not in the minority. A survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has found that almost 80% of companies struggled to hang on to their staff in 2006.There are initiatives that can help businesses overcome recruitment difficulties...


Are Personal Phone Calls Costing You Money?

Small businesses in the UK are spending around £400 million a year on personal calls made by employees on company phones and mobiles according to new research.Convenience and availability means that mobile phone use - even while sitting at their desk - has become the norm for many people...


Are You Missing Out on Online Opportunities?

Small business, the backbone of the UK economy, is lagging behind bigger enterprise when it comes to gaining commercial benefit from the internet according to new research from UK Online.The study reveals that a staggering two thirds of small businesses with 1-10 employees are still doing business without an internet connection, email or website.


The Number One Invoice Finance Company for Small Businesses
Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.

Annual Leave – Be Ready for New Rules

If employees in your business receive less than 28 days holiday then you need to be aware of changes that are coming into force soon.
Six million workers in Britain will soon be entitled to up to eight extra days annual holiday with the first four coming in October this year.


Are Your Ladders Safe? - Take Part in a Ladder Exchange

Thousands of small businesses use ladders, whether as part of their work, or simply to get things from high places (e.g.: in a warehouse)! However, nearly 100 people fall off a ladder at work each month, and suffer serious injuries costing the economy £60 million each year.


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.

Could You be Missing Out on Government Training Initiatives?

In small businesses, there is often not a lot of money to pay for formal training; but the majority of small businesses are potentially missing out on training initiatives from the government.
Almost 70% of smaller businesses were not aware of the training role of the Sector Skills Councils or the Train2Gain scheme...


Have You Acted to Meet Age Laws?

If you have not yet acted to meet the recent age discrimination laws then you need to do so quickly; however, you are by no means alone. Three quarters of Britain’s small firms have yet to put in place procedures to allow their employees to carry on working beyond 65...


Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.


Take Advantage of Valuable Website Services for Free

As someone involved with a small business, you know how rare it is to be offered decent products or services for free (with our BizStart24 software a notable exception!); but now Microsoft are offering small businesses reasonable website services for nothing...


Are You Failing to Capitalise on New Internet Technology?

With the huge rise of new web technologies like blogging and podcasts under the banner of Web 2.0; it is surprising to find that many small businesses are unaware of it, and even fewer are making the most of its potential.
The survey also found that a staggering 1 in 10 small businesses still do not have a web presence...


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.

Take Advantage of Valuable Website Services for Free

As someone involved with a small business, you know how rare it is to be offered decent products or services for free (with our BizStart24 software a notable exception!); but now Microsoft are offering small businesses reasonable website services for nothing...


Are You Failing to Capitalise on New Internet Technology?

With the huge rise of new web technologies like blogging and podcasts under the banner of Web 2.0; it is surprising to find that many small businesses are unaware of it, and even fewer are making the most of its potential.
The survey also found that a staggering 1 in 10 small businesses still do not have a web presence...


Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.


Top Time Wasters In UK Offices

The staff in your business may work hard, but you might be surprised at the amount of time the average office worker wastes. A survey by Office Angels has found that UK offices lose 72 million hours every week, totalling £6.85 billion a year, enough to build nine Wembley Stadiums each year!
Here are the top office timewasters...


More Business Thoughts and Quotes

After the popularity of the last article on the subject, here are some more top business quotes and thoughts from BDO Stoy Hayward’s 33 Thoughts; which features regular instalments of clever and amusing observations from business people past and present, as well as some unexpected sources...


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.

Could You be Missing Outon the Skills of Ex-Offenders?

Many small businesses struggle to find skilled and enthusiastic workers; but are you missing out on the abilities of ex-offenders? Despite the bad image that being an ex-offender may give, less than half of those offenders are likely to have been in prison; half only have one conviction, and employment is proven to be the best method of preventing re-offending.


Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.


More Business Thoughts and Quotes

After the popularity of the last article on the subject, here are some more top business quotes and thoughts from BDO Stoy Hayward’s 33 Thoughts; which features regular instalments of clever and amusing observations from business people past and present, as well as some unexpected sources...


Will You Take Advantage of Simpler Vat?

More businesses across the UK can, from this month, benefit from easier ways to deal with VAT, following changes to one of the schemes aimed at helping small and medium-sized firms to better manage their cashflow.
Changes to the Cash Accounting Scheme (CAS) mean an extra 56,500 businesses can now benefit from the scheme...


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur.The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.