1. Identify the support you want

1.1. Assess your financial resources and requirements.

Be realistic about the financing you can expect to raise (see section 3).

Allow for the costs of setting up your business and continuing to meet your existing financial commitments - and be realistic about the likely delay before your business starts producing significant income.

Keeping costs down - for example, by working from home rather than taking on business premises - is often essential during the early stages of launching a new business.

1.2. Identify the weaknesses in your own skills and experience.

Unless you have experience of running a business, you may need help in areas such as business planning.

Sales and marketing are vital for most new businesses. You may want support to build your self-confidence and credibility, as well as advice on sales and marketing techniques.

Other areas to consider may include:

You are likely to need professional advice in areas such as accounting, taxes and legal issues.

• financial management
• purchasing and production
• information technology
• dealing with employees (if you have any) and advisers.

1.3. Consider the practical impact of starting a business on your personal life.

You may need help with domestic tasks such as caring for any dependants.

Starting a business can be very stressful. You may need emotional as well as practical support.

1.4. Take advice early, before launching your business.

Early advice helps ensure that you set up your business in the right way, before making any potentially expensive mistakes. Putting time and effort into planning pays dividends.

Business support organisations can help you develop your business plan. Planning helps you to think through all the activities you will be involved in, anticipate potential problems and identify the extra support you need.

You can take advantage of extensive free information and advice before deciding whether additional support is worth paying for.

1.5. Think about how training could help you.

Start-up training can develop your confidence as well as your business skills.

Continuing training in specific areas can reduce the need to pay others to provide services (such as bookkeeping) and increase your effectiveness as a business manager.

2. Use business support organisations

2.1. Get start-up training and advice from your local Enterprise Agency.

Enterprise Agencies focus on supporting pre-start, newly launched and very small businesses. Services tend to be free or heavily subsidised.

Pre-start training services include training and advice on business planning and raising finance.

Find your local Enterprise Agency through the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies

2.2. Find out what help your Business Link can offer.

Business Links offer a wide range of support, advice and information services for both start-ups and existing businesses. Services are often free or subsidised.

As well as providing services directly, your Business Link can help you identify other sources of support.

Find your local Business Link

2.3. Check what services your Regional Development Agency (RDA) offers.

Your RDA may offer a range of business support, including grants, information and advice, training, events and so on.

Find your RDA

2.4. Find organisations helping those over 50 start a business.

The Prime Initiative offers a range of support and events, and can also put you in touch with local business advisers.

Find support for the over-50s in business through The Prime Initiative

2.5. Consider joining a trade association.

Trade associations often provide information and advice specifically tailored to businesses in your industry, and opportunities to network with similar businesses, suppliers and other useful contacts.

Membership of a trade association can help boost your credibility with potential customers.

Many trade associations offer additional member benefits, such as insurance deals, legal services, discounted attendance at exhibitions and so on.

Subscription costs vary widely, and may be discounted for smaller businesses.

Find trade associations through the Trade Association Forum

3. Find financing and financial support

3.1. Be realistic about whether banks and other investors will finance you.

They are unlikely to be interested unless you have a credible business plan and ideally previous business experience. Many new businesses rely on savings, family and friends.

Even if you have worked in a similar business, you may find it difficult to raise money unless you have a track record of successful management.

They will usually want you to make a significant personal financial commitment.

3.2. Identify any sources of 'soft' loans or grants.

The availability of easy financing depends on factors such as where you are, what industry you are in and how you plan to use the money. Finance is more likely to be available in deprived areas, for activities such as innovation and training.

Your Business Link can help you identify any loans or grants you might qualify for.

3.3. Make the most of advice and support offered by sources of finance.

Most of the major banks offer business start-up packs and information.

Professional private investors (business angels) and larger investors (venture capitalists) will often want to take a hands-on approach, or at least offer informal advice.

3.4. Check what tax credits or benefits you are entitled to receive.

If you are over 50 and have been unemployed for at least six months, you may be entitled to continuing benefits for the first year of self-employment under the New Deal 50 Plus scheme.

If you look after a child, you are likely to be entitled to Child Tax Credit, unless you have a high family income.

You may be entitled to Working Tax Credit, even if you have no children, if your earnings are low.

Call the Tax Credits helpdesk on 0845 300 3900

4. Get the right advisers

4.1. Find an accountant.

An accountant can give you advise on the best way to set up your business, how to organise your bookkeeping, and tax issues. Many businesses also use their accountant for broader business advice, personal financial planning and so on.

Ideally, you want an accountant with experience of your kind of business. Business friends and contacts such as your bank manager may be able to recommend someone.

Find an accountant using the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales directory

4.2. Get any legal advice you need.

Business support organisations can provide general legal guidance, free (see section 2).

The Lawyers for Your Business scheme offers an introductory free session for legal advice on your particular circumstances.

Find information on Lawyers for Your Business and details of local law firms through the Law Society

4.3. Consider what other business advisers you might want.

You can use business advisers to fill any gaps in the support you are getting from the business support organisations you are working with (see section 2).

You may want to build a relationship with an individual business adviser. Regular meetings allow the adviser to build a deeper understanding of you and your business.

You may want to find specialist advisers - for example, to help you with information technology.

A business adviser can also act as a mentor. Rather than providing direct advice, the adviser helps you talk through your ideas and work out the best way forward.

Find business advisers and consultants through the Institute of Business Consulting

5. Uild your network

5.1. Make the most of existing contacts.

Friends, colleagues, customers and suppliers from previous jobs can all be useful sources of help. Many new businesses make their first sales to existing contacts that know and trust them.

5.2. Consider joining your local Chamber of Commerce.

Meeting with other business owners lets you share experiences and helps overcome the feeling of being on your own.

Membership of your local Chamber brings you new business contacts - who may end up as customers or suppliers.

Subscription rates vary, and depend on the number of employees you have. A small business might pay around £200 per year, which includes access to business advice and other services.

Find your local Chamber through the British Chambers of Commerce

5.3. Identify other local and national networking opportunities.

Ask friends, business contacts and advisers what groups they belong to.

Opportunities can include:

The business support organisations you work with may offer networking events or online discussion groups (see section 2).

• Business networking organisations.
• Charitable groups, such as the Rotary Club.
• Social groups and networks, such as a local sports club or parents' support group
• Online groups make it easier to network outside the local area. National groups may also have local sections.

6. Find practical support

6.1. Look for ways to get cut-price products and services.

The Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business both offer members money-saving opportunities as well as business advice and other services.

Business support organisations or your local council may provide low cost business premises (eg serviced offices); some business centres include free or subsidised support services such as advice and training.

Local business colleges may offer subsidised training, or students who will work on projects for low or no cost.

6.2. Get any domestic support you need.

Find your local Enterprise Agency through the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies

Find your local Business Link

Find your Regional Development Agency

Find support for the over-50s in business through The Prime Initiative

Call the Tax Credits helpdesk on 0845 300 3900

Find Business Angel networks through the British Business Angel Association

Find an accountant using the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales directory

Find information on Lawyers for Your Business and details of local law firms through the Law Society

Find business advisers and consultants through the Institute of Business Consulting

Find your local Chamber through the British Chambers of Commerce at www.chamberonline.co.uk

Find out about the Forum of Private Business

Find out about the Federation of Small Businesses