Tag: UK SMEs
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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. ...
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...
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...
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....
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...