Business Structure Guide
Understand sole trader, partnership and limited company options.
Small Business Setup
Part of our UK small business compliance guide. For the wider idea-to-launch journey, see how to start a business in the UK.
How to set up a small business in the UK.
Polar helps UK founders work through the practical steps of setting up a small business, including structure, registration, licences, insurance, data protection, business identity, email, phone, domain and website.
If you are still shaping the idea, start with how to start a small business. If the idea is ready, build the supporting business plans and startup budget before moving towards launch.
Set up professionally
Cover the important small business setup basics before trading.
Work through the practical setup steps in a clear order, from choosing the right structure and registrations to understanding licences, insurance, legal responsibilities and data protection.
Company Launch
Prepare everything and complete company registration through GOV.UK.
Business Registration Checklist
Keep registrations, references and important setup deadlines organised.
Business Setup
Bring the essential setup steps together and get the new business ready to trade.
Licence & Permission Finder
Identify licences and permissions that may apply before trading.
Insurance Guide
Understand the business insurance and protection you may need.
Legal Guide
Understand key legal responsibilities through clear official-source guidance.
Data Protection Starter
Put sensible customer-data and privacy practices in place from the beginning.
Create the business identity
Give the new business a professional identity from day one.
Set up the brand, domain, business email, phone, address and online presence customers will see when the business starts trading.
Brand Starter
Choose the identity once and keep it consistent everywhere.
Domain & Online Identity
Choose a business name and domain that work online.
Home Business Guide
Build professionally from home without missing practical setup details.
Address & Mail Setup
Organise business mail and protect the personal address where possible.
Business Phone Setup
Give the new business a professional phone presence.
Business Email Setup
Look professional from the very first customer email.
Polar Website Builder
Choose an original Polar design and build the business website with guidance.
Social Customer Growth
Turn real business activity into useful marketing and customer visibility.
Ready for the next stage?
Turn a properly set-up business into a launch plan.
Once the foundations are in place, Polar helps you organise the practical launch steps and move towards your first customers and first invoice.
Move on to Launch →