Not sure whether self-employment is right for you?
This section explains what working for yourself involves, including the advantages, potential risks and the decisions you need to make before starting.
You’ll find business ideas, help choosing the right structure, guidance on registering with HMRC, and practical advice for running your business.
Ready to begin? Start with our 15 steps to becoming self-employed or compare the two most common structures:
sole trader versus limited company.
Plenty of people start a small business while still receiving benefits. It might be a side hustle alongside another job, or simply a way to test out self-employment without giving up support completely. The question we’re often asked at ByteStart is: can you register as self-employed while claiming Universal Credit or other benefits? The answer … Read more
Do sole traders need professional membership or registration? Learn which jobs are regulated and when joining a body can help your business.
Jury service can disrupt work if you’re self-employed. Find out who is eligible, how to defer, what you can claim, and the impact on employers.
Lots of people have a regular job (as an employee) and also run a side business. You might work full-time and sell online at weekends, tutor in the evenings, or run a small consultancy in your spare time. There is no legislation or any rules that stop you from having a job and running a … Read more
Unsure when your business officially starts? This guide explains how HMRC defines the start of trading, with examples of what does and doesn’t count.
Using a PO Box sounds simple, but it won’t work for everything. Here’s what HMRC, banks and marketplaces require if you’re self-employed.
Even if you’re self-employed, UK GDPR still applies. We explain what data protection means for sole traders and freelancers, with simple, practical tips.
It’s something a lot of small business owners end up wondering: “Can I just pay my partner to help with admin?” “Can my teenager help out at the weekend and earn a bit of money?” The short answer is yes – you can pay family members through your business, but you must do it properly … Read more
Here are some business naming tips from the Bytestart team based on our twenty years of experience working with small firms.
Hiring your first employee in the UK? A step-by-step guide for sole traders and small companies covering legal checks, PAYE, NI, pensions and contracts.