Business owners are increasingly using personal credit cards to fund their businesses, particularly when it comes to major purchases such as vehicles and equipment. But this could be a recipe for disaster. Click here for ways of staying safe.

How you set up website payments for customers depends on how many transactions you’re processing and whether you have an existing card processing relationship with a bank.Click here for more details.

Being able to receive payments by credit and debit card enables you to do business using internet, electronic or paper-based systems, making it much more versatile than cash or cheques - and setting up a system is quick and easy. Click here to find out how.

You’ll need a comprehensive business plan to focus on exactly where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. A good plan will help you secure support and finance for your venture, prove it has a business case and can therefore work. Click here to find out more

Some people decide to specialise in their chosen field of expertise, others turn their hobby into a business. According to the Federation of Small Businesses over 60 per cent of all commercial innovations come from small firms. Read more

When you run a business, you are legally required to keep certain financial records, like tax returns and VAT details. You might decide to do some of this yourself, but you need to weigh up the cost of a professional accountant against the time and potential headaches it could cause you. To find out more click here

Red tape is a necessary evil in all businesses, so you need to make sure you’re on top of it. Tax, National Insurance and VAT are an everyday part of thousands of businesses across the country. Read more

Without wanting to overstate the obvious, cash is the lifeblood of your business. Running out of it could finish you off. Cash flow is the balance of all the money flowing in and out of your business and forecasting it will make you better prepared for peaks and troughs throughout the year. Read more