Questions

Forum

Questions

 Recent Posts

  • Ask a Question
How to locate the best accountant for me.

M
I'm in Panama and I'm looking for someone to set up a UK company In order to use stripe to take payments from an app in the Android store.

As far as I can see, because I'm living abroad, there would be no tax payable in the UK. but I also understand that I need an accountant who knows how to write my general meetings And resolutions properly so that I don't shoot myself in the foot and end up paying UK tax.

If I understand it right, I should be looking for a chartered accountant? There must be tens of thousands of those in the UK. How would I go about finding someone who's going to do me the minimum effective job for a decent price?

I'm not really looking for tax advice. I understand my position fairly well. I just need someone to do the job without making a mistake.

I'm not sure of the rules of the forum here. I guess I'm probably not allowed to ask for a personal recommendation?

Are there any websites where I can compare accountants like I could compare apps or doctors and see what people think of them? Apart from Google Maps, of course. I don't think Google Maps is very useful because it's limited to one area. And I don't really care where the accountant lives because I don't live in the UK.
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Website vs social media: Which is enough for starting dropshipping or affiliate marketing?

accordtechbd
I’m planning to start a dropshipping/affiliate marketing business and wondering whether I really need a website. Can I just rely on social media platforms to generate traffic and sales, or is having a site essential for long-term growth and SEO?

Previously, I’ve tried small campaigns using just social media with some success, but now I want to scale. There are so many products and niches, and I’m not sure whether creating multiple landing pages for each product is necessary, or if I should focus on just a few key pages/posts.

Would love to hear what works best in 2025 for beginners vs scaling businesses.
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Should I sell my profitable company?

J
I’m getting to the age where I should be thinking of retirement so I am considering my options. I own a small company in the Northwest of England which manufactures it’s own unique product. This is a type of control valve used by many companies as part of their production/testing procedures.

With 20 years of sales there are several thousand of these products in use worldwide and they have a very good reputation for reliability and performance so we get many repeat orders. There is also a good spares and servicing market where they have no alternative but to come to us, which people are happy to do. With more effort the sales could be increased considerably, there are very few companies making this product and I believe we are the only UK manufacturer.

The product has a good profit margin and based on the last three years profits alone an online website came up with a value of £2 million but I believe with it’s own product it’s worth much more.

My options are to employ someone to do some or all of my work which means I would continue to receive a good income, but not be fully retired, or to sell it outright.

What are people’s suggestions and is there a reliable company who would sell it for me?
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
What actually works to grow a new Fire & Security business in 2025?

KyleHides
Hi all,
I've recently set up a fire & security company in Lincolnshire (SafeSync Solutions), covering a wide selection of services including CCTV, Intruder Alarms, Fire Alarms, AOV Systems, Data and Networking, Smart Home, Emergency Lighting, and TV & Aerial.

I'm now looking to grow the business properly and would really appreciate advice from people who've built service based companies (especially trades or technical services).

What I would like to know is:
  • What actually worked for you in the early days?
  • What was the most effective way you found new domestic and commercial customers?
  • Are methods like cold calling and door-to-door sales still effective today?
  • What marketing channels gave you the best return (time or money)?
  • Anything you had wished you'd done sooner?
I'm not pitching or promoting anything, just looking to learn from people who've already walked this path and avoid common mistakes.

Any insights or experiences would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Kyle.
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
How to send parcels to US from UK?

apricot
Hi,

We used to ship to the US, but stopped when the new tariff rules came in. Since then, we haven’t been able to figure out whether we can send goods to the US or how to handle the charges correctly

Does anyone know the correct process for shipping goods from the UK to the US after the recent tariff update?

We understand that customs duties need to be paid, but how and at what stage should they be paid?

Also, how do we calculate the tariff so we can adjust our pricing accordingly?

I’ve been searching for information, but I can’t find any clear guidance. I’d really appreciate it if anyone could advise or point me in the right direction.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Domestic cleaning expansion

E
Hi,

I started my business up in February this year, i am a cleaning services company, I am now almost full with just me and getting enquiries nearly everyday which I can't take on due to it only being me, now my next phase is to expand my business as my brand has really taken off! I just need some advice on whether it's best to have self employed cleaners I sub to or to take on a few people on PAYE, so many people are giving me different advice but I really want to have my company known for it's excellent domestic cleaners, just don't know which way to go...
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Tiktok shop HELP PLEASE

S
Hi! I was hoping to get some advice from anyone with experience selling on TikTok Shop, please. We’re struggling with the bookkeeping side of things.


We currently use Sage, so TikTok Shop isn’t connected to our accounting software — everything is entered manually. Every month, TikTok sends over their invoices showing the associated fees, etc. There’s also the finance summary available via Seller Central.


The fees listed there differ from those on the invoices, so I’m unsure whether we should be inputting both the invoices and the amounts on the finance summary, or just one of them.


I have, of course, contacted TikTok Shop support, but like most marketplaces they are ****.

Thank you for any help!
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Importing fruits from Mexico

D
Hello to everyone,my name is Dan,me and 2 friends we started a company called TerraFresh and we are importing fruits from Mexico.
This is new for us and trying to get some help and suggestion, we want to focus more on bananas and avocado.Any ideas where to look up for buyers, we are bringing like between to 1-5 containers of bananas.
Looking forward to see if anyone can point to right direction where I can find buyers.
Thank you
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Selling my business

C
I am looking for some advice on selling my business. I have never done this before and the more research I do the more of a mine field it seems to be.
How do I value the business correctly?
Best ways to advertise it?
Would using a business broker cost a lot of money?
Legal expenses?
Any other areas I should be looking at?
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Starting up Staffing agency to private care sector questions

L
I’m in the process of starting up an agency to supply to the private care sector (nursing homes, residential homes, learning disability services) based in the South west.

I’m wondering what smaller agencies are charging their staff out at. I’m looking at £23 hour of just weekday rate, but as a smaller not yet established agency, I don’t want to go in too high and put off potential clients and ruin the business before even starting.
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
What’s a “good” conversion rate for websites in the UK/EU right now?

kevinle
There’s no magic number, but here are some rough ranges people are reporting in 2024/25:

  • General website average: around 2.5–3%
  • E-commerce: about 2–2.7%
  • Desktop usually beats mobile, but mobile traffic is higher, so it balances out
  • UK and Northern Europe often see slightly higher conversions than Southern EU, especially where delivery and trust signals are stronger
If you’re below ~2%, you probably have some big wins available (e.g., checkout friction, unclear delivery info, trust badges, slower mobile load times). If you’re closer to 5%+, you’re likely in “optimise revenue per visitor” rather than “fix broken funnel” territory.
What conversion rates are others seeing in the UK/EU right now, and what’s moved the needle most for you?
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
VAT Reclaim Eligibility for Pre-Registration Period

A
Hello,

I own a UK-registered company selling on Amazon (FBA model) and I am a non-UK resident.
During 2023–2024, I paid VAT on Amazon service invoices (mainly advertising fees) while not VAT-registered. Amazon has now informed me that, as a Non-Established Taxable Person (NETP), I should have been VAT-registered from the start.
I am now VAT-registered effective January 2025.

Can I reclaim the VAT paid on Amazon invoices from 2023–2024, or offset it against VAT due on my past sales?
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
What are your biggest challenges in marketing as a small business?

S
Hi everyone,

I'm working on a new product for small businesses in Europe to take the headache out of digital marketing.
Right now, we’re building the first version of the product and want to make sure we’re solving the right problems.

If you run a small business (or help someone who does), we’d be so grateful if you could take 10–15 minutes to fill out a short questionnaire. It’ll help us better understand biggest marketing challenges that small businesses face.
Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll share the link to the questionnaire on Google Forms.

Thanks so much for your time and input! If you have any questions or thoughts, please let me know.

Svetlana
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Looking for UK Supplier – Nike & Under Armour Running (15–20 items per week)

Sn Running75
Hello I am a French dealer of pants and jacket Nike running and under armour I will explain to you what I am looking for and apparently in England there are suppliers: So, to clearly explain to you what I want to order from you. At first, I would like to place an order of 15 to 20 items of Nike running/ under armour than jackets and pants, for example, so that the Nike running future fast defines about 2 to 5 set, Nike division pants and jackets, black or gray hybrid pants under armour, Nike aeroswift pants Nike always a jacket then a dye jacket, Nike phenom elite pants (of course, I would be ready to put the right price). Then, if you think you won't be able to find these items or, for example, not have enough, it's quite understandable because I told you, I have WhatsApp and I could send you the items I want in photos. I'm a French merchant, that's why I order in a set
Click to expand...

  • Solved
What is the best way for relative to help fund business start up?

G
Please excuse grammar, Im the muscle of the operation not so much brains!

Essentially I am in the process of starting up construction company. I've registered with companies house (Ltd) & set up a business account.

My brother has a very well paid job and has offered to "front" me the money to get properly up and running. He's stressed that the business is 100% going to be mine & he isnt desperate for the money back until I'm turning a profit. He also isn't interested in charging any interest, he only wants what he gives. The question is what would be the best/legal way to get the money into the business.

I.E
Would a "gift" to myself that i can then put into the company be the better option or would that make repayments a minefield?
Or
Is it better to get a formal contract written up and him loan it directly into the business, in which case are there any taxes/fees to be expected?

I appreciate this is probably a no brainer question for people with the knowledge so apologise in advance.

Thanks
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Sage 50 Accounts - Report Designer. How show credits/account payments as negative on chaser letters

R
Hi, I'm trying to redesign the ICHASETERMS1 letter so that it includes unallocated payments and outstanding credit notes, regardless of their date. I've changed the criteria of the report so that it shows it but I need to change it to a negative value.

Currently the Expression is this:
Due > 0 ? AUDIT_SPLIT.DATE_FLAG <> 1 ? SignedAgedTransaction : 0 : 0
but I want to amend it so that if AUDIT_HEADER.TYPE is "SC" or SA" then SignedAgedTransaction needs to turn negative. I'm good with Excel but knowledge of those formula seem to be of no help here!!

Tried for a long time now, no luck!

Any help much appreciated

Thanks!
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
CIS on deposit invoice

L
Hi,

A job falls within the scope of CIS and reverse charge, and the (new to us) client has asked for a deposit invoice up front. It's a long-ish contract and the work hasn't started yet so at this stage we don't know exactly how much will be labour and how much materials, so can anyone please explain how to deal with this deposit invoice as far as the CIS is concerned.

(We deal with lots of CIS but so far not had a client who has requested a deposit invoice!)

Many thanks.
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
To what extent is ai reshaping the landscape of sales in respect to cold calling ?

M
Hi All,

I am conducting some research on sales and AI.
As the title of my question states, do you think AI is having a big impact on sales and if so what impact is it making?
I have a 9 question questionnaire which will take 5 mins of your time.
Im asking for 5 mins of your time to fill this out and also to start discussions on this page.

Joel
Click to expand...

  • Ask a Question
Help on Consumer Rights Act - Customer received item and says its Damaged

C
A customer ordered an item from me which was sent out as normal. Its a large item but breakable and we have a trusted delivery partner that delivered it. I have info on my website that says that the delivery guys will unpack it with the customer but this didn't happen for whatever reason. The customer then contacts me over a week later saying he's opened the item but its badly damaged and can I send a replacement. I have seen pictures and it is damaged badly.

They have had it in their possession for well over a week and it could have been damaged by the customer in that time. I think the Consumer Rights Act says risk passes to the customer on delivery but the customer is saying that if they report it damaged within 30 days then its me who has to prove it wasn't already damaged at delivery.

I don't have proof because the delivery guys didn't open like they are meant to, but we haven't ever had a problem before.

Can I refuse a replacement or a refund since they didn't open it for well over a week? If they file a money claim will they end up winning?
Click to expand...
Load more

Filter

Join UK Business Forums for free business advice
Top Bottom
Community
Articles
Menu