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How to Start a Business in Louth

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Louth

Starting a business in Louth

If you are thinking about starting a business in Louth or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Louth contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Louth

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Starting a Business in in Louth

Business advice and support

"Two heads are better than one."

Whether you have been trading for some time, are new to the market or are just thinking about starting a business of your own, it has been proven that your chances of success are considerably improved if you seek support from an experienced business advisor or mentor. You can find out more about both options at Business Advice in Louth and Business Mentors in Louth.

Funding and grants

Running out of money is one the most common reasons why businesses fail. This risk of this happening to can be avoided (or minimised) by careful planning and cashflow forecasting. If you need additional funds to start or keep your business going, you can learn more about your options and download our free funding factsheet at: Louth Business Grants and Business Funding

Business networking

Does the idea of business networking fill you with delight or dread? Either way, it can be beneficial for both your business and you as an entrepreneur. See Business Networking in Louth for details of local groups and our free Networking Factsheet.

Business premises

Working from home is appealing to many new business owners but not practical for many others. Even if you are running a business by yourself, you might like to consider the option of 'hot desking' or co-working in one of the many flexi-workspaces that have emerged in recent years. Find out more at: Louth Co-Working and Business Premises.

Finding new customers

Paying customers are the lifeblood of any business. Knowing how to find, satisfy and retain them is vitally important and best achieved with the help of experts in the field.

Accountancy, tax and law

While starting a new business is very exciting, this should not disguide the fact that there are some very important legal responsibilities that must be considered. See: Bookkeeping, Accountancy, Financial Planning and Law

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don’t become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Louth

Key Contacts in Louth

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Louth is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Accountancy

TaxAssist Accountants
TaxAssist Accountants Bourne provides a wide range of accountancy services including tax returns, annual accounts, payroll and bookkeeping. TaxAssist Accountants in Bourne are a part of the largest network of accountants who offer a wealth of experience and expertise to over 65,000 small businesses right across the UK. We help a diverse range of small businesses including start-ups, sole traders, limited companies and landlords who operate in many industries. Chris & Angela Cottee have operated a local friendly accountancy and tax practice for over 18 years within the Deepings & Bourne area. Being a family run small business ourselves we are able to understand your business needs and problems and we are focused on helping you grow, not just completing your accounts and tax returns (although we’ll do that too!). We provide accountancy services and tax returns, business start up advice including help with business plans, company formations,VAT, payroll, CIS returns, bookkeeping using cloud based accounting software such as Quickbooks, Receipt Bank, Xero etc. as certified advisors we can help with training and support to get all our clients Making Tax Digital compliant and much, much more. We offer a genuinely proactive service getting you thinking about your business and where it is heading. Because we are a small business ourselves, we give easy to understand, no nonsense advice from your accountant - theres a first! All our fees are agreed in advance there are NO hidden extras, we also operate variable methods of payment.
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Web design

Lincolnshire IT Ltd
Web Design- Bespoke Websites For Your Business web designHaving a professionally built website is not only beneficial, but a necessary requirement if you want to stand out from your competition. Since 1995 we have focused on designing user-friendly websites to get your specific business or organisation found on the Internet and more importantly within your budget. In today’s technological age, people are not searching for you in phone books anymore. Potential clients are Googling you, searching your website for contact information, and comparing your website to your competitors in order to determine who suits their needs the best. Therefore it is vital that your website portrays the best image for your business. With the increase in mobile devices, we provide you with a responsive website which will adapt to the device you are using it on without any pinching, zooming or scrolling. Many of our competitors insist on you requiring a separate duplicate mobile-friendly website. Having duplicate content on the internet may negatively affect your site being found in the Search Engines. Prior to having your custom website designed you need to purchase a domain name, which we can supply you with for as little as £10 per year. Once you have a website, then it needs hosting on a secure server. We offer affordable high speed SSL secure hosting based in the UK from the smallest business page site to the largest, high traffic e-commerce website. We are also specialists in Content Management Systems which allow you to amend your own website, whenever and wherever you like without having to pay us for each update – if you can take photos and use a basic word processor you can make changes to your website. Want to sell products and services on your website, we can integrate e-commerce for relatively little cost to allow customers to purchase direct from your website. For more information on any of these services, please contact us today for impartial advice. We will sit down with you and guide you every step of the way to get your business on the Internet. As we’re based in Lincolnshire and like coffee, you can discuss with us in person so we understand your business and its needs. We’ll continue to work with you to help get the best out of promoting your business online.
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IT

Lincolnshire IT
Computer Repairs, Managed IT & Internet Services Providing a range of IT services to businesses and homes throughout Lincolnshire for over 20 years we have a wealth of experience in computer repairs and technical support of both Windows and Apple Mac devices and software. Our internet services include security, website design and secure web and email hosting services. Technical Support Services Although technology is more stable and reliable than ever, there are times when something simply doesn’t work. We’re here to help with anything from printing problems to toast in the CD drive… And anything in between. Internet Services Including websites , local targeted Search Engine Optimisation (GeoTargeted SEO), email, spam filtering, Content Management Systems (CMS), social media (that’s Facebook, Twitter etc) and more – we’ve got you covered and we’re local Software Software and Cloud-Based Software installations, configuration and updates. Microsoft Office 365 Partners. Websites & Apps Having a website is a basic requirement for all businesses these days but technology is moving so fast and constantly enabling us to push boundaries and enable you to provide more information and more features to your customers. E-Commerce If you have products you can sell, you can sell them on your website within a relatively low budget. Additional features can be integrated that enables your business to be more effective at providing prompt customer services. Internet Security It’s a fact of life that emails can leave an unpleasant trail on your computer but, that’s just the start. If you worry about the virus attacks that land on your network from websites or the adware etc., call us and we’ll keep your internet use safe and secure. Security Virus attacks are commonplace and can be very costly. Your company’s computers can be protected by top-grade antivirus and spam filtering systems that ensure minimal downtime by preventing and being able to promptly fix any issues. Groupware & Microsoft Exchange Company wide calendar sharing, project lists, contact databases and notes make the flow of information simple, straightforward and automatic – it all happens securely in the background so the information you need is there when you need it using Microsoft Exchange hosted mail. Cloud Computing Make the most of the new generation of data storage and sharing. Not only can we guide you about the systems available, we can set-up and configure the services for you that enable sharing data between devices and colleagues.
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Web design

The Amazing Website Company Limited
Our all inclusive website packages include the complete website creation, hosting, emails, updating of your wording and images, consulting and further technical support. Every website is optimised for display on smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops and can be updated at anytime. We know that budgets can be tight for small businesses, startups, charities and clubs, but the pressure is both real and personal. Our expert team acts as your in-house web department without you taking on the cost. We design, build, host and update websites for a small upfront fee and affordable monthly payments. It’s as simple as that. No surprises, no hidden costs, just peace of mind and results. We want to prove to you that you will receive a return on your online marketing investment. Everyone is familiar with the cliche; you only get one chance to make a good first impression. And nowhere is this more true than on the internet. Make sure that your first online impression on a prospective customer isn't the last one.
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Advice

FSB (Federation of Small Businesses)
Federation of Small Businesses are experts in business. Formed in 1974, we are a non-profit making and non-political organisation whose member base covers the length and breadth of the UK. Our aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. We realise this aim by offering our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and powerful voice in government, influencing the decisions that affect their businesses.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Networking

FSB Greater Lincolnshire & Peterborough
FSB Greater Lincolnshire & Peterborough is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: David Thorpe Development Manager David.Thorpe@fsb.org.uk
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Networking

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce
Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, accredited to the British Chamber of Commerce, has been supporting and assisting the growth of Lincolnshire businesses for over 100 years. We provide a first-class business support service to companies of all shapes and sizes, through a range of membership benefits, training events, networking opportunities. Address: Commerce House, Outer Circle Road, Lincoln, LN2 4HY
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Marketing

Viking Signs Ltd
Whether your start up already has a brand identity and logo or you need help to create one from scratch, we can turn this into a sales lead generation machine - otherwise known as a sign. On your building; your van, and your office, promote you business everywhere with high quality signage and it will pay you back for years to come.
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business