1. Your domain name
- Register your business name as a domain, ideally .co.uk or .com, as early as possible.
- Register it in your business's name, on your own account, not a friend's or a web designer's.
- Turn on two-step verification on the registrar account and set the domain to auto-renew. Losing a domain because a card expired is more common than you'd think.
2. Professional email
Use an address at your own domain, such as you@yourbusiness.co.uk, not a free webmail address. It looks more trustworthy and stays with the business if people come and go.
- Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace give you email, calendars and file storage for a few pounds per person per month.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC on day one so your emails don't land in spam.
- Just need a few addresses forwarded to your existing inbox? Simple email forwarding can be free.
3. A website and Google Business Profile
- Google Business Profile is free and is how you appear on Google Maps. Set it up early and ask happy customers for reviews.
- A simple, fast website of a few pages is plenty to start: what you do, where you work, how to contact you. It should work properly on a phone.
- Keep your business name, address and phone number exactly the same everywhere online. It helps local search.
We offer starter websites for new businesses: £50 to get started, then £30 a month, including hosting, security and updates.
4. Security basics from day one
- Two-step verification (MFA) on email, banking, accounting and social media
- A password manager, with a different password for every account
- Automatic updates switched on for laptops and phones
- Learn how to spot phishing and fake invoices
- Work files in OneDrive, Google Drive or similar, not only on one laptop, and a backup of the important stuff
5. Data protection and the boring-but-important bits
- ICO data protection fee: most businesses that handle personal information must pay a small annual fee to the Information Commissioner's Office, unless exempt. Check at ico.org.uk.
- Privacy notice: if your website collects enquiries or customer details, it needs a privacy notice.
- Making Tax Digital: sole traders and landlords above HMRC's income thresholds now need compatible accounting software for Income Tax. Check the current thresholds on gov.uk.
- Cyber Essentials: worth considering once you bid for larger contracts. Some customers and public sector work require it. See Cyber Essentials explained.
6. As you grow
The first hire is the moment to tidy things up: proper user accounts for each person, shared files and a simple process for when people join and leave. When you get there, everyday IT support can take it off your plate. Until then, ask us anything. A quick question costs nothing.
