Small Business Freebies
Toolkit Contents
Home | Financial Business Planning | Finance Business Records | Business Development | Help with Business Debt
Reasons to have a business plan
Business Plan Scope
Create a Business Plan
The Prince's Trust Business Plan Template
Business Plan Template
Taking PAYE salary
Taking Director Dividends
Pension Contributions
Reason for a Business Bank Account
Types of Business Bank Account
Open a Business Bank Account
Signing Instructions
Business Bank Charges
10 popular freebies
Free Software
Free Business Resources
Why do I need Business Insurance?
Types of Business Insurance
How do I get Business Insurance?
Invalid Claims
Payment Obligations & Recovery
Making prompt payments
The Prompt Payment Code
Receiving prompt payments
What must business invoices include?
Payment terms
Claim debt recovery costs
Recovery of debt owed to your business
Benefits of Financial Software
Cost of Financial Software
GOV UK Tested Accountancy Software
Types of Business Risk
Create a Business Risk Register
Maintain your Risk Register
Importance of business contingency
Start a contingency fund
Calculate operational expenses
Importance of Business Laws
Types of Business Formation
Laws & Regulations
Helpful Governance Agencies
> Self-employed records
> Companies registered with Companies House
> Inspection of records
> Digital Receipts
> Making Tax Digital
> Benefits of Digital Receipts
> Free Digital Records Storage
Register for online filing
What needs to be filed?
Annual Confirmation Statement
File a confirmation statement
What is corporation tax?
Completing a corporation tax return
How is corporation tax calculated?
What are dormant accounts?
File Dormant Accounts
Dormant Accounts Example
Deductible Expenses
Non Deductible Expenses
Gather Financial Records
Completing the Tax Return
What triggers a compliance check?
How are checks undertaken?
After the check
Appeal a Decision
Important: New Legislation
Cash basis accounting
Information for Cash Basis Accounts
Prepare Cash Basis Accounts
Accrual Accounting
Information for Accrual Accounts
Prepare Accrual Accounts
What are Actuals?
Information for Actuals
Calculate Actuals
Check for Differences
What is a balance sheet?
Create a balance sheet
What is bank reconciliation?
Information for a bank Reconciliation
Perform a bank reconciliation
Check for Differences
Create a Cash Flow Forecast
Types of business expenses
Detailed expenses
Types of business income
British Bank Free Template
What is a fixed asset register?
Create a Fixed Asset Register
About Depreciation
Calculate depreciation
What is petty cash?
Start a petty cash fund
Check a petty cash difference
What is a profit & loss statement?
Create a profit & loss statement
A to Z Glossary of Accounting Terms
Tidy up your accounts
Order your expenses & receipts
Untidy accounts - penalties
Set up a spreadsheet
Spreadsheet Formulas
Available Small Business Grants
How to apply for a Grant
Importance of marketing & advertising
Types of marketing & advertising
Advertising laws
Why is market research important?
Market research methods
Evaluate market research data
Tips to start advertising online
Search Engine Optimisation
Pay-per-click
Free Websites
Free advertising options
Set up Google My Business
Word of mouth
Social Media Strategy
Set up a Facebook campaign
Set up an Instagram campaign
Set up a Linkedin campaign
Set up a TikTok campaign
Set up a Twitter campaign
Benefits of networking
Where to & how to network
How to write a 30 second pitch
Benefits of video networking
How to join a Google Meet
How to join a Microsoft Teams meeting
How to join a Zoom meeting
New Business - 10 Top Tips
Existing Business - 10 Top Tips
Research your business idea
Study the competition
What is financial distress?
Where to spot signs of financial distress
Typical signs of financial distress
Insolvent Distress
Cash Flow Test
Balance Sheet Test
Legal Action Test
Types of Business Debt Liability
Personal Guarantees
Wrongful Trading
Insolvent Trading
Fraudulent Trading
Statute Barred Debt
Challenge a Statute Barred Business Debt
Breathing Space rules for Business
Individual debt solutions
What is a statutory demand?
Statutory Demand Process
Challenge a Statutory Demand
What is a bounce back loan?
Options for Bounce Back Loan Debt
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
What is a Business Interruption Loan
Options for CBIL Debt
Time to pay agreements
HMRC Recovery Powers
Reasonable excuses
How to appeal
VAT late filing penalties
Late interest payments
Consequences of non-payment
Options for VAT debt
What is company administration?
When is it a good option?
Administration Process
Types of debt reorganisation
Advantages of debt restructuring
Disadvantages of debt restructuring
What is a CVA?
Is a CVA a good option?
Setting up a CVA
Potential problems & risks with a CVA
CVA Costs
Types of investors
Advantages of investors
Social investors
Disadvantages of investors
What are mergers & acquisitions?
Mergers & acquisitions process
Types of mergers & acquisitions
Advantages of mergers & acquisitions
Disadvantages of mergers & acquisitions
Universal Credit - Business Owners
Guide to universal credit
Minimum income floor
How to start a claim
What is dissolution?
Dissolution process
What is strike off?
When is strike off not allowed?
Strike off process
What is liquidation?
Is liquidation the best option?
Compulsory liquidation
Liquidation Fees
Contents
10 popular freebies
Free Software
Free business resources
Overview
When you're running on a tight budget as a start-up or experiencing cash flow issues as an established business, freebies can be a lifeline. The old saying of 'nothing in life is free' is a little outdated because nowadays, freebies are genuinely available. And so what's the catch?
Technology in particular offers free versions of software. The free versions often have reduced functionality, although some new tech companies will offer full access for a limited number of sign-ups. This is usually to attract good reviews and a future prospect of subscription income. It's really worth looking at what's available, freebies can service your growing business for quite some time.
10 popular freebies
There are several freebies available for small businesses including:
Free business advice: The UK government offers free business advice through initiatives like the Growth Hub, which provides support and guidance for small businesses.
Free software and tools: Many software providers offer free or reduced-cost solutions for small businesses, including accounting software, project management tools, and marketing automation platforms.
Free online training and resources: Many organisations and websites offer free online training and resources, including the Open University & the Small Business Academy.
Free mentoring and coaching: Some organisations, such as the Prince's Trust, offer free mentoring and coaching services to help small business owners develop their skills and grow their businesses.
Free business events and workshops: Many organisations host free business events and workshops, such as the Enterprise Nation, where small business owners can network, learn new skills, and connect with potential customers.
Free business grants: There are a number of grants available for small businesses in the UK, search Grantify. For a range of grant and loan options, try Gov.UK Finance and support for your business.
Free legal advice: Some organisations, such as the Law Advice Network, offer free legal advice and support for small business owners.
Free Tax Advice: Tax Aid is a charity that helps people on low incomes (less than 20k a year) when they get into trouble with their tax affairs.
HMRC Business Resources: HMRC provides a number of useful guides, resources and videos to help small business conduct their financial governance efficiently and compliantly.
Small Business Sustainability Hub: The Federation of self-employed and small business provides free advice and information on environmental sustainability.
It's important to research and carefully evaluate each opportunity to ensure it's a good fit for your business's needs and goals.
Free Software
Here are some free software options for small businesses.
Free Google Account: Google provides a range of productivity tools, including email, online storage, and document editing, all in one place. If you don't need to have a branded email address, the free google account provides a lot of productivity tools in one place.
Trello: Trello is a project management tool that helps businesses organise and prioritise tasks and projects.
Hootsuite: Hootsuite is a social media management tool that helps businesses manage and schedule their social media posts.
Slack: Slack is a communication platform that helps teams collaborate and communicate in real-time.
Canva: Canva is a graphic design tool that helps businesses create professional-looking designs for their marketing materials.
Pixabay: Pixabay is a free stock photography and royalty-free stock media website. It also integrates seamlessly with Canva to provide additional editing tools in keeping with your brand.
FreshBooks: FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting and invoicing tool that helps businesses manage their finances and invoicing.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp is an email marketing tool that helps businesses create and send newsletters, promotional emails, and other marketing materials.
Friday CRM: Friday CRM is a 'free for life' (but there is a note about a deadline coming soon) customer relationship/contact management system.
Bitrix24: Bitrix24 offers a free version of its cloud based 'all in one' software, including project management, contact centre, marketing, website and case management tools.
It's important to research and compare each software option to determine the best fit for your business's needs and goals. Many software providers also offer paid plans with additional features and support.
If you are running a not for profit or charity, there are more free software products on offer through Tech Soup.
It's also always worth asking for discounts as a small business, not for profit or charity - if you don't ask, you don't get!
Free business resources
There are a variety of free business resources available in the UK that can help entrepreneurs and small business owners to start, grow, and manage their businesses. Here are a few examples:
Government resources: GovUK provides a range of free resources to help businesses, including guidance on starting a business, managing finances, hiring employees, and complying with regulations. The government's Business Support website is a good place to start.
Business organisations: There are many business organisations that offer free resources, advice, and support to their members. Examples include the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), & the Institute of Directors (IoD).
Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs): LEPs are local partnerships between businesses and local government that aim to promote economic growth and create jobs. Many LEPs offer free resources and support to local businesses, including advice on funding and grants.
Business support programmes: There are a variety of free business support programmes available, including those provided by the government, universities, and private sector organisations. Examples include the Start Up Loans programme, which provides low-interest loans and mentoring to new businesses, and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme, which offers business education and support.
Online resources: There are many free online resources available to UK businesses, including business news websites, online forums, and social media groups. Examples include Business Insider, Entrepreneur, & LinkedIn groups for business owners.
By taking advantage of these resources, entrepreneurs and small business owners can access the information and support they need to succeed.