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Guides & Tips

Chip and PIN – what you need to know

If your business accepts face-to- face credit or debit card transactions, you need to ensure that the system you have in place is secure and that the risk of fraud is minimised.

Getting paid by credit and debit card

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.

Setting up Switch payments on your website

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.

Don't Miss

Banks can be on another planet when it comes to growth capital

Finance Options for Start-Ups

Rose Lewis, a partner at financial consultancy Pembridge Partners, explains the various financial alternatives for the intrepid small business owner when a bank decides to play hardball.

Loans scheme for start-ups falls flat

Last month the government launched a finance package to help struggling small businesses access bank loans, but SMEs say they aren’t seeing the benefits.

Your first business loan

If your business plan and financial forecasts are sound, you may be feeling brave enough to approach a bank for funding.

Business Banking News

Banks continue to be tough on lending to SMEs

Banks say 'no' to SMEs

Figures released by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) confirm that lending to small businesses is in decline.

Banks say 'no' to SMEs

Figures released by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) confirm that lending to small businesses is in decline.

‘Banks are not supportive,’ say SMEs

Bank managers are among the least trusted group to approach when owner-managers are seeking financial advice, according to research from Close Invoice Finance. 

SMEs hit by stealth bank charges

A thaw on bank lending to businesses is being nullified by a raft of new stealth charges, claims Clifton Asset Management.

Business lending still too steep

Banks are imposing extra charges, increasing interest rates and demanding personal guarantees for lending to small businesses – and the government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme has done little to help.

Bring on 2010, say SMEs

UK businesses expect market conditions to improve in the last quarter of what has been a desperate 2009, a new survey has found.

Darling turns heat up on banks

Alistair Darling will today urge banks to increase SME lending.

Steep fall in GDP scuppers Chancellor’s predictions

The economy fell at a much sharper rate than expected in the second quarter of 2009, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Inflation falls below two per cent

Inflation has fallen below the Bank of England’s target rate of two per cent for the first time since 2007.

‘Quantative easing must continue,’ say economists

Economists have criticised the Bank of England’s decision to stall its quantative easing programme.

SMEs 'seek funds from family'

The number of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners who would consider borrowing money from friends or family has doubled in the past year, a new study suggests.

Events Calendar

City University & Knowledge Connect: Free money from the LDA for your business

29th June, City University, Ground Floor, Room AG07

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Local Guides

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

Barclaycard Commercial – Visa Gold and Platinum Corporate Charge Cards

Get up to 38 days’ interest-free credit, providing balances are paid in full. Exclusive discounts with the AA, Rymans, Daisy Telecom and reclaim international VAT. Access great travel benefits including Travel Accident Cover, 24 hour international support helpline, exclusive concierge service and discounted priority pass membership. Plus, 90 Purchase Protection, Extended Warranties, and cardholder Misuse Insurance. Find out more.

Get started with Barclays Business Banking

Choose from 3 great Start-up packages offering a range of business and banking solutions, from cashflow management software (QuickBooks or Sage) to VAT management solution. Plus, up to 2 years FREE banking (conditions apply). Apply online.

Grow your business with factoring, an alternative to business loans

Balance your cashflow with factoring and use the funds to grow your business. The more you invoice the more you can borrow, no need to re-negotiate with the bank. Compare factoring quotes online.

Taking payment from customers Resource Centre

How to set up a direct debit

Bacs' site features detailed information about direct debit, explaining its advantages how it works in practice.

Buy a cash register

Cash Register Group is an online shop that specialises in cash registers and EPOS systems.

Find a merchant business account

Optimal Payments provides merchant accounts for businesses to enable them to accept credit card and debit card payments via any sales channel.

Information on accepting credit and debit cards

Accepting credit and debit cards is essential for telephone and online sales and it's a are a convenient and flexible way for customers to pay. Here's a guide from Business Link.

Accept credit and debit cards with PayPal

PayPal allows customers to shop on your website and pay securely by credit or debit card.

Use Bacs to make and receive payments

Bacs is a simple, secure way to make and receive all your business payments and it can reduce administrative time and costs.

Online merchant accounts

Nochex specialise in providing smaller online businesses with simple, accessible, easy to use, online payment services.

Protect your online sales from fraud

Escrow.com reduces the potential risk of fraud by acting as a trusted third party that collects, holds and disburses funds according to Buyer and Seller instructions.

Free invoice templates

Freelance UK provides free invoice templates - make sure your invoice complies with company law.

More Taking payment from customers Resources

Other Business Banking Resources

Polls

Video

Can your customers find you?

If you have a web presence, then you need to ensure that customers can find it – otherwise, it’s just a waste of money.

Email and web hosting

This video looks at the the importance of business email and web hosting for SMEs.

Three Minute Mentor - Setting up a Home Office

Whether you're based at home full time or just occasionally, you need the right tools at hand. This short video looks at how you can set up the perfect home office

Three Minute Mentor - Email Marketing

Blogs

Will Alan Sugar sweeten business prospects?

Marc Barber 10/06/2009

While any help singled out for small businesses should be welcomed, the appointment of Sir Alan Sugar as ‘Enterprise Tsar’ smacks of gimmicky desperation. (2 comments) Have your say »

Inflation is King

Penny Proffit 19/06/2008

A look at inflation and why Mervyn King has had to put pen to paper... Have your say »

Basic building block of any Internet marketing campaign

Guest Blogger 07/07/2008

For almost all sectors of commerce today, the Internet, or more specifically the World Wide Web, is now a key tool for business. In the field of marketing in particular it has become crucial. (3 comments) Have your say »

Q&A

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Tax and VAT expert

Clive Lewis, ICAEW

9 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Business bank account Q: Business bank account Q: Personal family loan Q: Why use business banking? Q: Bad banking practice Q: Acquiring a small business loan Q: Securing a business loan whilst managing debt

Factoring; unlock the value of your invoices with Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance

Factoring enables you to release cash from your business to business invoices without having to wait weeks or months for payment. Flexible credit management eases your administrative burden allowing you to focus on growing your business. Find out how Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance can help

Free Accounting Software - download TAS Basics for FREE

Basics is free accounting software designed to help your business keep track of its cash flow. It's the complete working program and there's no charge, no obligation and no time limit. Download TAS Basics now.