Business growth

Every penny counts for new businesses. It’s estimated that 20% of start-ups fail within their first year, which means that a helping hand could be the lifeline they need to keep going. Whether your store needs a renovation or you have an exciting project in the pipeline, a cash injection can be a vital source of funding for many start-ups or SMEs in the UK. However, applying and successfully securing them can sometimes feel like an uphill challenge.

While running your own business is one of the most rewarding ways to make a living and can give you the freedom to be your own boss, part and parcel of the deal is the accompanying homework you’ll be responsible for. From understanding pension schemes to working out taxes and setting up payroll, there’s a lot involved behind the scenes that fuels the successful and above-board running of a business.

In the fast-paced world of business, your company needs to be able to make quick, efficient and high-value payments as swiftly as possible. This is where the CHAPS transfer method steps in, offering a robust solution for those critical, larger-sum transactions.  But what exactly is a CHAPS transfer, and is this payment option something that all businesses should consider using? We’ll deep dive into everything you need to know about CHAPS payments.

Although Black Friday initially has its roots across the pond in America to mark the Friday after Thanksgiving, the occasion has gone global and has fast become a huge shopping day here in the UK too. In recent years, Black Friday has also spurred the creation of ‘Cyber Monday’ and ‘Cyber Weekend’ – where e-commerce businesses can cash in by offering huge savings and discounts online across a three-day period, creating a weekend retail phenomenon. Research has found that over half of UK adults (51%) plan to shop over the Black Friday weekend, with total Black Friday sales in 2022 reaching an estimated £12.3 billion.

Instagram might not be the biggest social network, but it’s one of the best for businesses and boasts some pretty impressive statistics: On top of all that, research suggests Instagram is the best social network for building customer engagement and loyalty.