Tag: small businesses

Funding in critical times

Businesses need finance for a variety of different reasons. Yet, what stays constant is that when businesses access the right funding, they can say ‘yes’ more to their next project, goal and growth plan. The economic environment remains challenging for...

/ 9th November 2022

Why every business should prepare for cyber risks

If you are a digital business – one with systems, networks or data – you will encounter cyber risks. When you think of cyber risks, you’ll probably think of big corporates or tech companies being hacked for  their customers’ sensitive...

/ 28th October 2022

Open Banking – what is it and how does it work?

As a small business owner, you know by now that cash is king! Getting a good grip on your cash flow is so important for small businesses owners and freelancers, because the survival of your business depends on it. With...

/ 20th October 2022

Employee vs Contractor – understanding what’s right for your business

Expanding your business is an exciting step for any entrepreneur. But there’s a lot to think about, and how you choose to expand your team will have a huge impact on your business.  You know you need more people, but...

/ 13th October 2022

Clear Books users can track their business credit score with Capitalise for Business

We're pleased to announce that we have partnered with Capitalise to provide Capitalise for Business for Clear Books users, allowing them to track their business credit score and access better fit funding from over 100 lenders. Powered by Experian, Capitalise...

/ 4th October 2022
marketing

How to breathe new life into your marketing plan

Putting together a marketing plan is such an important step for a small business owner. But unlike a lot of other tasks that are completed once they’re ticked off, a marketing plan requires a little bit more TLC to ensure...

/ 29th September 2022

Easy Payroll with Clear Books

This week we’re celebrating National Payroll Week – a celebration of the impact that payroll has on the UK economy, through the collection of income tax and National Insurance.  Making sure your staff are paid properly and on time is...

/ 7th September 2022

Get paid faster with Instant Bank Payments

Instant Bank Payments is here! Our new feature to help Clear Books users get paid faster by enabling their customers to pay instantly and directly via bank transfer. How does Instant Bank Payments work? In order to get paid faster,...

/ 24th August 2022

Delegate without fear — what you need to know as a small business owner

The good news? your business is thriving! The bad news? You’re still doing it all. Even though you have staff, you’re still handling many of the daily operations yourself — emails and phone calls, bids and vendors, marketing, and scheduling. ...

/ 10th August 2022
time management

From small business owner to employer: How to nail time management when you make your first hire

Your business is growing in ways you’d never even imagined. You’re keeping all the balls in the air (so far), but you have this nagging feeling that it won’t be long before you drop one. Managing all the day-to-day operations...

/ 28th July 2022

How to sell without being ‘salesy’ — 3 tips for selling, without selling your soul

The knot in your stomach before you make that sales call. That awkward feeling when you’re pitching to a client because you already know they’re not interested. The dread of an unanswered email enquiry. It’s safe to say sales isn’t...

/ 21st July 2022
self-employed

From employee to self-employed: here’s how to manage the transition

No matter your current position, whether you’re the CEO of a multinational corporation, an apprentice, or a new graduate with a part-time job, making the transition from employee to self-employed business owner comes with one heck of a learning curve....

/ 13th July 2022

How to create an offer your customers can’t refuse

Is it the right time to create an offer to drive sales? You hate to admit it, but you thought (or at least hoped) this would be easier. After all, you’ve ticked all of the business building boxes so far....

/ 6th July 2022

Starting a small business? Here are 5 things to avoid

We love sharing articles about what you should be doing as entrepreneurs and small business owners because we want to set you up for success. But what about the common pitfalls that many small businesses face? As a small business...

/ 21st June 2022
business insurance

How to get the right insurance for your business

Why is it important to get the right insurance? So, you know you need insurance for your business, but how do you go about getting the right cover? Whether you’re buying insurance for the first time, or in the process...

/ 8th June 2022

Cutting business costs: how small businesses can make serious savings

At Clear Books, helping you make more money is baked into what we do, from the affordability of our software and our invoice automation tools to the extensive functionality that frees up the time you need to find and attract...

/ 25th May 2022
invoices

8 tips for getting invoices paid faster

When you think about the possibility of your business failing, there’s probably one thing that has you waking up in a cold sweat at 3am: The worry that you won’t be able to find enough clients to sustain your company’s...

/ 18th May 2022
business structure

How to choose the right structure for your new business

When it comes to following your entrepreneurial dream, choosing a legal business structure might not be as exciting as creating a website, brainstorming business names, or designing your very first products. It can be tempting to just pick whichever structure...

/ 27th April 2022
Recruitment options

Find the right recruitment option for your growing business

For some business owners, the eventual recruitment of additional employees is baked right into their long-term business plan. For others, a seasonal rush, an unexpected illness, or even the knowledge that the business needs fresh talent and additional skill sets,...

/ 23rd March 2022

How to create a marketing plan that works for your business in 6 steps

You might have had a few sales here and there, a purchase from a friend or neighbour, maybe you’re gaining a little traction through word-of-mouth. But you know that if you’re going to see those sales numbers increasing in a...

/ 17th March 2022

How to choose a business niche (and why you really should)

Do any of these apply to you? You’re thinking of starting a business, but you’re not quite sure what it’s going to look like or who you’re going to target.You feel the pull of entrepreneurship…but you have no idea what...

/ 9th March 2022

National Insurance increases: what they mean for your small business

It’s a move that’s been criticised by employees and small business owners alike and been described as an “unfair job tax”. Yet, due to the economic turbulence of the last two years, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has stated that changes to...

/ 24th February 2022
MTD VAT

Making Tax Digital for VAT: Your Questions Answered

MTD VAT is coming – is your business ready? Soon all VAT-registered businesses will need to submit their VAT returns electronically to HMRC.  Whilst the thought of changing your processes to comply with MTD VAT may seem daunting, it can...

/ 9th February 2022

Get fit for business with Capitalise

Ready to spring back after the last couple of years have left your business feeling low on energy? Capitalise’s new Get fit for business report tracks just how fit UK businesses are feeling. And gives you insight into how your...

/ 1st February 2022

Lifting the Lid on Life at Clear Books

Online Accounting Software with a personal touch At Clear Books we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and the personal way in which we onboard each and every new customer, whether that’s a new accounting practice or a small...

/ 22nd December 2021
customer service

The Clear Books Customer Service Team

The Customer Services Team is the friendly face of Clear Books. They all work together to provide our customers with a great level of service. We have several individual teams that make up the Customer Services Team. Customer Onboarding The...

/ 17th December 2021
employees

How to choose the right people for your business

Deciding to hire your first employees is equal parts exciting and daunting. You’re positively giddy at the thought of no longer having to do every single thing in your business by yourself, at the thought of having actual support as...

/ 1st December 2021
brand-hero-image

How to get consistent brand exposure

You know you have an incredible product. You know you’re amazing at what you do. And you know your business has the potential to completely wow customers. But there’s one thing holding you back; no one knows who you are...

/ 24th November 2021
business idea

Six strategies to help you find your next great business idea

Whether you’re fascinated by the dream of entrepreneurship but haven’t yet hit on what you want to do, or you’ve started working on the first iteration of your business but it hasn’t quite clicked, you’re probably desperate to find the...

/ 18th November 2021
accountant

How to choose the right accountant for your business – plus three red flags to look out for

When you’re looking for an accountant to help you with your business, you’re not just looking for someone who’ll keep you on the right side of HMRC — ideally you’re looking for someone who’ll advise you, help you make crucial...

/ 10th November 2021