As a result of the move landlords can now access tenancy agreements, reference letters, and more without taking out NLA membership. Instead, users simply register as a 'landlord associate' - a free process that takes place online.

NLA chief executive Richard Lambert said: "The NLA is committed to raising standards across the private rented sector. While we are primarily a membership organisation, we believe we should support all landlords who share our commitment to managing tenancies properly and professionally.

"That's why we are making our approved tenancy agreements (which cover England, Wales, and Scotland) available to [landlords] for free, along with the other sample forms and letters which a landlord may need during the life cycle of a tenancy."

According to NLA chairman David Salusbury, "letting property is a big responsibility: landlords are dealing with people's homes, a whole raft of housing legislation, and day to day maintenance. It is essential that they know what they are doing before they dive in and that they comply with the law and best practice once they do.

"Offering landlords in the UK access to best practice tenancy agreements and other necessary forms is a great way for a landlord to begin to run their business properly."

Last month the NLA indicated that it intends for all members to pass its accreditation process. This involves completion of an "NLA foundation course", along with ongoing courses. The Association says this will provide members with "a means of objectively demonstrating their knowledge and competence as landlords."

Landlords can register for the NLA's free library service here.

This is according to new figures from the Legal Services Board, which suggest that the average cost of each legal issue runs to £6,700. This puts the total cost to UK business at some £100 billion.

Of those problems, nearly 50 per cent concerned other businesses. Some 18 per cent were with individuals, 17 per cent were with the government, and 10 per cent were with employees. Just 5 per cent of small businesses have an in-house legal expert, according to the figures. Some 8 per cent have a legal retainer.

A single legal issue can be crippling for small businesses. It is therefore vital that you take precautions to ensure that you are protected as far as is possible.

Riverview Law is concerned that businesses are not taking legal advice because of the perceived cost. They have compiled a series of guidelines to help small businesses deal with the legal professions.

1. Get as much as you can for free
The 'ticking clock' is one of the biggest gripes businesses have with lawyers. You should be paying for bespoke legal advice, not a document a lawyer pulls out of a drawer. Look for lawyers that provide free library access to a range of documents and will talk to you for free.

2. Negotiate hard
Start your conversation with any firm by saying you require price certainty. If they won't agree, walk away; there are plenty of lawyers out there who will.

3. Prevent as well as cure
Don't wait for the worst to happen. Take a pro-active approach to your legal affairs by reviewing the areas of your business affected by legislation and getting a legal health check or document review to reduce or eliminate future issues.

You should also remember the importance of proper business insurance. Legal expenses cover can pay out in the event that you are embroiled in a legal dispute, and is a key precaution to help you guarantee the financial stability of your business.

Every business should have comprehensive business insurance. Legal cover, along with other applicable insurance types, can be included in a single policy. You can compare business insurance quotes quickly and easily using an online broker such as Simply Business.

The announcement comes as part of a package of measures approved following Lord Young's recommendations on small businesses.

Start-Up Loans are currently available to would-be entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 30. The removal of the upper age limit was one of the headline recommendations in Lord Young's report.

More than 5,000 of the loans have now been made. They are unsecured, and come with a comprehensive programme of business mentoring. The Start-Up Loans Company, which is chaired by James Caan, has a total pot of over £100 million from which to draw, and it is expected that this will be expanded.

The government has now called on the Start-Up Loans Company to draw up a plan for removing the age cap. It is not clear when this will occur.

Meanwhile the government also announced the impending introduction of a new Growth Voucher scheme, worth £30 million. This scheme is designed to encourage small businesses to buy in specialist help in areas like marketing and financial management.

Business owners can already apply for up to £5,000 similar so-called 'innovation vouchers'. You can read more about applying for Start-Up Loans here.

This is according to new research from Professor Russell Griggs, who conducts an official annual survey into business banking. Professor Griggs found that of applications for business loans of less than £25,000, 58 per cent were rejected on the basis of credit scoring.

Almost a fifth were rejected because of a perceived lack of affordability, while more than ten per cent were turned down on the basis of previous account conduct.

The report also found that almost 40 per cent of appeals made through the banks’ independently audited processes are returned in favour of the business.

As a small business owner, your personal credit history is a key factor that will help to determine whether or not you are able to access finance. It is therefore important that you look after it.

We have compiled a list of tips and techniques you can use to repair and protect your personal credit history.

You should check your credit report regularly. You cannot hope to improve or protect your report unless you are aware of what is in it, and of changes to it. You can do this using a service called Noddle, which provides free access to your credit report for life. Read more about Noddle here.

When you read your report you may find errors. It is reasonably common, for example, for individuals to be erroneously connected with previous tenants at their address. It is important that you have these errors corrected, by writing to the relevant institution and to each of the major credit reference agencies.

A flurry of applications within a short period of time can indicate a series of rejections, and is likely to be treated with suspicion by potential lenders. Where possible, try to spread out your applications, ideally ensuring that they occur several months apart.

Payment history is one of the most important factors determining your perceived creditworthiness. It is absolutely vital that you make payments on existing credit lines on time. Set up direct debits or standing orders to ensure that you don’t forget.

Finally, many lenders look at the amount you are currently using as a proportion of your total available credit. Generally speaking, the lower the figure the better. Some commentators suggest that you should try to use no more than 30 per cent of your available credit, although it is important to remember that lenders do not publish their lending criteria, and each will be different.

Landlord Town introduces a character named Larry who is a first-time landlord. Larry owns a house that he would like to rent out. However, he does not have much knowledge on how to go about it. He has lots of questions regarding finding tenants, managing the property, paying taxes from rental as well as evicting tenants when it is necessary.

The guide takes Larry on a journey to become a successful landlord. He meets experts along the way who explain the challenges faced by a landlord and how to overcome them. Larry completes a checklist, watches video interviews and discusses landlord insurance with a Simply Business consultant. At the end of the journey Larry is excited to have rented out his house and... he shows it. However, there is no point for us to telling you all this if you can find it out for yourself! Click on the image below and start your journey with Larry through Landlord Town.

In an effort to provide landlords with advice and support to make their lives easier, here at Simply Business we publish an extensive number of articles in our Knowledge section, and create step-by-step guides (such as our recent Landlord tech guide). But there is a wealth of other websites out there that develop great resources for UK-based landlords and property owners, and here we are pleased to present our pick of the top ten best ones. These websites offer up to date and in-depth knowledge on important issues for landlords and property owners. So, whether you are a first time landlord or a letting agent with twenty years of property management experience, we think you'll find something of interest to you on these sites.

Here is the full list of websites recognised in the 2013 Simply Business Landlord & Property Website Awards:

Property 118

Our number one pick for this edition of Landlord & Property Owners Awards is property118.com. The portal offers a remarkable number of tools and resources for landlords and property owners alike. It is simple to find specific information on the website and most of the published content is free to access. Property118.com manages an active community of nearly 200,000 subscribers and makes participations in its forum discussions easy.

Landlord Law is a portal with lots of free legal advice for landlords. The website is managed by solicitor Tessa Shepperson, who also runs the popular Landlord Law Blog. 

Homes & Property is a very extensive portal covering property buying, selling, and management. The website is owned and managed by the Evening Standard.  

Landlord Zone is a property portal with an impressive amount of high quality content for both landlords and property professionals. 

Landlord Today is one of the best UK landlord blogs online. It is kept up to date and often offers users the opportunity to consult experienced property professionals.  

Property Wide, part of the Countrywide Group, is a great source of information on services such as conveyancing and surveying.

Property Owl is a network with a well managed community of users focused on property development and management.

Landlord Expert is the website of the Landlord Associaton, which has over 36,000 members. It contains free landlord documents, forms, and legal advice.

Property Hawk is a landlord portal that has been active since 2006, and which is full of valuable content. The website offers free cloud-based property management software. 

Property Investment Project is a blog with an extensive database of forms, tools, and articles specifically designed for landlords. It also has a lively discussion forum.

As a business owner it is vital that you keep on top of your credit report. It will determine whether or not you are able to secure credit, and on what terms. A regular read of your report will also help to protect you against identity fraud - a huge and growing problem.

In the past, though, checking your credit report could be expensive. Although many of the credit reference agencies offer free trials of their service, it is easy to forget to cancel them - and then you are landed with big monthly payments just to see your own data.

But a new service called Noddle offers free access to your report for life. So what is Noddle, and why do you need it?

It is important to keep track of your credit report for two key reasons.

1. Credit applications
If you are intending to apply for credit, you can help to get a handle on whether or not you are likely to be accepted, and on what terms, by checking your credit report. This holds information that will be considered by lenders, including your payment history and your current debt position. Some of the factors that may affect your credit 'score' are investigated below.

2. Fraud prevention
Fraud and identity theft are growing problems. According to the BBC identity theft is increasing at a rate of nearly 500 per cent a year. The Association for Payment Clearing Services estimates that more than £1.6 million worth of fraudulent card transactions occurs in the UK every day, with one such transaction taking place every eight seconds. Fraudsters may try to apply for credit in your name, and a regular check of your credit report is one of the key ways in which you can combat this.

The first thing to note is that there is not really any such thing as a credit 'score'. The score presented by some credit reference agencies is actually just a simplified way of representing the various factors that impact your perceived creditworthiness in aggregate.

There are many of these factors. The key ones include:

1. Payment history
Your pattern of payments is one of the key factors that will determine whether or not you are likely to be offered credit, and on what terms. Recent missed payments will count against you, and multiple consecutive months over which you have failed to make payment will be of severe detriment.

2. Number of credit lines
The number of credit facilities you have open will also have an impact. A higher number is deemed to be negative.

3. Percentage of credit used
Many lenders consider the percentage of the total credit facilities in use. Lenders do not disclose their methodology here, but many commentators suggest that those who use a lower proportion of their total available credit will tend to be treated more favourably.

4. Search history
The number of recent searches of your credit file will have a bearing on your perceived creditworthiness, as this is a proxy for the number of recent credit applications.

5. Public data
All lenders will consider information on the public record including bankruptcies and county court judgements (CCJs).

6. Financial connections
Finally, lenders may take into account other individuals to whom you are deemed to be financially connected. It is important that you regularly check your credit file in order to ensure that you are not incorrectly linked with other individuals. It is reasonably common, for example, for people to be erroneously linked to previous tenants at their address.

Signing up for Noddle is very simple. You need to provide some basic details about yourself, including your name, your current address, and your previous addresses up to the one in which you were living four years ago. Provided that you are on the electoral roll, Noddle will then be able to locate and display your credit report instantly.

You may be asked to sign up for a number of other 'alert' services that are designed to help you keep track of changes on your credit file. It is important to note that these services are chargeable, but that you do not have to sign up for them in order to see your report.

Noddle is not the only way in which you can check your credit report. Each of the major credit reference agencies, including Experian and Equifax, offer limited free access to your report, generally through a 30 day trial. You can apply for these through each of their individual sites - but you should remember that you will be charged each month unless you cancel your account within the trial period.

You also have a statutory right to see your credit report by post. This costs £2 per report, per agency. Again, you can apply for this through each of the agencies' sites.

This is according to new figures from Freelancer.co.uk, which found that of those respondents some 56 per cent started their venture in their bedroom.

Running a bedroom business can be a hugely rewarding but enormously challenging task. We have compiled some top tips to help you maximise your productivity in the minimum amount of space.

It is remarkably easy to get distracted when working from home. The kitchen is within easy reach, and there is always some tidying to be done. It is important that you minimise these distractions as far as possible. If there are jobs that you know will play on your mind, make sure that they are done before you start work. Once you have begun working, try to treat your time exactly as you would time spent in an office. You are there to work, not to tidy.

Although long working weeks are de rigueur for new business owners, it is important that you set yourself some boundaries. Do not work throughout the night, and try to ensure that you do not go straight from your bed to your desk or vice versa. Bad habits of this sort can dramatically reduce the quality of your sleep, which in turn will hit your productivity.

There is a temptation when working from home to do so in your dressing gown. Make sure that you do not do this. By dressing for work you are helping to establish an atmosphere and mindset in which you will help to ensure that you work to the best of your ability.

Although your family might not be involved in the day-to-day running of your business, it is vital that you involve them in some practical considerations. You will need to establish the periods during which you are working, and ask that you are not disturbed during these times. Conversely, though, you should remember that your family will want the run of the house (and, indeed, your company) at certain times too, and you will need to arrange your working patterns accordingly.

Structure is vital if you are to maximise productivity, but your bedroom is often not a conducive atmosphere to it. Try to force some structure into your working periods, for example by prioritising time sensitive tasks. There is a range of tools that can help you do this, from a simple pad and paper to one of the many free online project management packages.

It is vital that you set aside some space in your bedroom specifically for working, for example a separate desk. It is hugely psychologically important that you have an area that is specifically dedicated to work.

Finally, it is important to remember that you are unlikely to be able to stay in your bedroom forever. At some point you will need space to grow, and this may require you to find premises of your own. Read our tips for negotiating your first office lease.

The London Legacy Loan Fund provides loans to entrepreneurs based in a number of London boroughs, and is administered by the East London Small Business Centre (ELSBC). It is intended for new firms and firms that have been in existence for less than 3 years, and that have otherwise struggled to secure the funding necessary to grow.

The Fund is available as a 'lender of last resort' to businesses based in Tower Hamlets or Newham. Businesses in the following boroughs may also be eligible, depending on postcode: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Brent, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Havering, and Waltham Forest.

In order to be eligible your business must be new, or have been trading for less than three years. In addition, you must have been unsuccessful in applying for funding from a bank. Your business must employ less than ten people and, if it is already trading, must have a balance sheet or turnover of £1.6 million or less.

London Legacy Loan Fund finance is disbursed on the strength of a business plan. Without a comprehensive, viable business plan you will not be able to apply. If you do not already have this, a mentor at the East London Small Business Centre will be able to help you put one together. Indeed the ELSBC offers a range of practical support, including intensive four-day training courses to help you build your business skills.

The Fund was the first of the legacy schemes, and was launched in May 2012. It is still accepting applications, and will continue to do so until December 2013. It is expected that the Fund will have financed around 65 businesses by this time.

If you are confident that your business might be eligible for the Fund, you can get more information on the application process by calling the ELSBC on 020 7377 8821.

Although price is important, it shouldn’t be the only factor that you take into account when purchasing your insurance. Make sure that your insurer is providing you with the covers that you have asked for. There may also be extra conditions or exclusions on your policy – so even though it appears cheaper than the others, it may not actually be covering you for what you need.

Also, remember to look at the “excess” values. The “excess” is the amount that you pay if you have to make a claim. This is the first part of every claim; so if you’re Excess is £250 and you have a claim for £200, you will have to cover the full £200. Some insurers give you the option to increase or decrease your Excess. If you increase it, then you will reduce your premium as you are covering less. However, if you decrease it, then your premium will go up, as you are asking for more insurance.

Many insurance companies, particularly on shop insurance, provide free additional covers as standard. It is worth comparing these to see if any of these are actually good for your business. For instance, most shop insurance companies offer free “frozen food cover”. This wouldn’t be useful for a florist, for example, but excellent for the local mini-market.

If you find an offer that you like but you are not very familiar with the company offering the insurance, it is worth researching the brand by reading customer reviews, visiting the official website and “about us” pages, and finding press coverage about the business. It is worth asking your friends and family whether they have had any experience with the company and what their impressions have been, as well as researching other people’s experiences of the claims process and customer service.

Check your policy now and consider – “does it meet my needs today?” Do you actually need to have Employers' Liability insurance? Have you got the value of your contents right?

Remember you do not have to get a whole new policy to get a specific cover. You are able to increase your insurance throughout your policy – so it is much better to pay a bit more and be safely covered than to lose out when you make a claim.

A good way to evaluate your policy is to examine the type of customers you are doing business with currently or planning to in the near future. Think of the potential liability you may be exposed to while performing services or selling products to the particular group of people or businesses.

To summarise, it is better to be properly insured than to save a few pennies now but lose out if you make a claim in the future. Your business is your livelihood, and we want you to look after it.

The scheme provides cheap loans to young entrepreneurs, and is a key part of the government's strategy for growth. Start-Up Loans are currently only available to those between the age of 18 and 30, but if Lord Young's recommendations are accepted, they could be extended to all age groups.

Start-Up Loans are government-backed finance for your entrepreneurs. The scheme currently has more than £100 million with which to finance new businesses run by those between the age of 18 and 30.

The Start-Up Loans programme has been gradually expanded over the course of its short life, and it is thought that the government will soon make more funds available. The money is being distributed as unsecured loans, administered by a number of delivery partners across the country.

Start-Up Loans are personal loans. In practice, this means that if you want to start a business in partnership with others, you may each be eligible for a loan. They are paid back over a maximum period of five years, and interest is charged at a fixed rate. This runs at 6 per cent at the time of writing.

In addition to debt financing, the Start-Up Loans scheme offers a comprehensive mentoring process. When you apply for the scheme you will be paired with your local delivery partner, who will guide you through the application. If you don't yet have a business plan, your delivery partner will help you put one together. Some partners also run intensive workshops to help you develop skills like cash-flow planning and budgeting. These can be a great way to get started if you do not have previous business experience.

Once you have received your loan you will then be assigned a mentor. This individual will provide ongoing guidance and assistance, answering your questions and ensuring that your business stands the best possible chance of success. In addition, businesses that are funded through Start-Up Loans are also eligible for discounted services from a range of 'Global Partners'. These include cheap virtual offices, and free accounting software.

Start-Up Loans are currently only available to would-be entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 30, living in England, although there are suggestions that the scheme could be extended in the near future.

Loans are available to proposed businesses and to those in the 'start-up phase' - that is, those without debt financing and in their early stages of development.

Your first step is to register your interest directly through Start-Up Loans. In order to do this you will have to provide basic details such as your name and address, your employment status, and, if applicable, some basic information about your proposed business. Once you have done this, your details will be passed onto your local delivery partner, who will then get in touch about the next steps.

It is important to understand that the mentoring process is a compulsory element of the programme. It is important that you attend all of your mentoring sessions in order to maximise your chances of success in your funding application.

Start-Up Loans are not the only potential source of funding for your business. Read our comprehensive finance guide for more options.

Today employer/employee disputes rarely result in industrial action and even then it can be short lived, however the threat of a ‘strike’ is one that worries many employers; not only can it cause disruption to your business and damage relationships with your customers, it can have a major impact on workforce morale.

So, what can you do to prevent industrial action taking place and protect yourself should your employees feel they have no option but to cry “everybody out”?

First of all your employees have the right to be a member of a union and must not be discriminated against because they are (or are not) a member of a union. Employers need to recognise this right at every stage of employment and ensure that they do not: 

• Discriminate against any applicant for employment on the grounds of union membership (or non-membership) during the recruitment process or during their employment.

• For example, employers must not take any action against employees because they are (or are not) members of a trade union (for example, awarding a pay increase to union members and not to non-members, or vice versa).

• Nor should they take any action against employees to force them to join a trade union or prevent them from joining one or offer inducements to employees to be, or not to be, a member of a trade union or to refrain from taking part in the activities of a trade union.

• Selecting employees for redundancy on the basis of union membership (or non-membership) is also against the law and dismissal on the grounds of union membership (or non-membership) will be automatically unfair.

Understanding these rights can then help you to establish a good relationship with a union that represents your employees. Organisations may enter into a recognition agreement with a trade union on either a voluntary basis or under a statutory procedure.

Many organisations enter into a recognition agreement with a trade union on a voluntary basis. Such agreements will normally involve the union negotiating with the employer over such matters as:

• pay and benefits;
• discipline in relation to union members;
• the allocation of work (demarcation); and
• the right to be informed and consulted.

The advantage of a voluntary agreement is that it will not be possible for another union to use the statutory procedure to force the employer to recognise it in respect of the same group of workers. Also, where the agreement is voluntary, the employer can end the agreement at any time (although this might open the door to an application for statutory recognition from the same or another union).

If no agreement, voluntary or otherwise exists, then a union can invoke a statutory procedure to compel the employer to recognise it for the purpose of negotiating pay, hours of work and holidays but can only be used if the employer has 21 or more workers, or an average of at least 21 workers in the 13 weeks ending with that day that the written request is sent. This procedure follows a formal process starting with a written request for recognition from the union to the employer. The employer has ten days in which to respond starting with the day after the employer receives the union’s written request.

At this stage, it is possible for the employer and the union to agree to voluntary recognition and to assist in the discussions, the employer can ask the union to involve Acas, if the union fails to respond or rejects this proposal, it will not be allowed to take its request for recognition any further.

If there is no agreement with the employer, the union may apply to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), which has the power to impose a recognition agreement and, if necessary, a method of collective bargaining. The procedure that follows is complex and is managed by the CAC. This advice is outside of the scope of this article, and you are advised to take specialist legal advice on this matter.

Whatever agreement you have with a union, if at a time of negotiating with them about the matters they represent, they may take or threaten to take industrial action to achieve their desired outcome. If embarking on industrial action, trade unions and employees are bound by legal requirements and these include:

• the dispute must be between the workers and their own employer
• the action must not be in support of a closed shop or of an employee who has been dismissed for taking part in unofficial action;
• the dispute must relate to employment issues such pay, the allocation of work, discipline or negotiating arrangements;
• the union must comply with detailed procedures for notifying the employer and balloting the members; and
• picketing must be peaceful and take place at or near the workers' own place of work.
   

Once industrial action is underway, an employer is limited in the action that can be taken against the workers involved. Industrial action is regarded as official and lawful if it is properly authorised by the trade union concerned and the trade union has complied with all of the legal requirements. However industrial action can be official (i.e. endorsed by the union) but still be unlawful if the union has not followed the required notification and balloting procedures.

 It is also worth noting that an employee who is dismissed for taking part in unofficial industrial action will lose the right to claim unfair dismissal; similarly if the industrial action is official but unlawful, provided that the employer dismisses (and/or offers to re-engage within three months of the dismissal) all those who take part the employee taking part in the industrial action will lose their right to claim unfair dismissal.

If the industrial action is official and lawful it is regarded as "protected". It is automatically unfair to dismiss employees for taking part in protected industrial action, unless the action lasts for more than 12 weeks and the employer has taken reasonable steps to try to resolve the dispute. Such steps may include:

• following the procedure in any collective agreement;
• commencing or resuming negotiations;
• the use of conciliation or mediation services;
• and where conciliation or mediation services are used, ensuring that an appropriate person attends any meetings arranged by the service provider, co-operating in the arrangements for the meetings, fulfilling any commitment to take a particular course of action and answering questions that relate to the matter in hand.

If a trade union announces that industrial action as unofficial, then it ceases to be protected after the working day following the day of announcement and employees continuing to take part in industrial action after this time lose their right to claim unfair dismissal.

An employer who suspects a trade union of tacitly approving unofficial industrial action can demand that the union states the action is unauthorised. If the union does not do this, the action will be classed as official but, as the union will not have followed the required balloting and notification procedures, the action will be unlawful.

Working with unions or staff directly can help iron out any misunderstandings as to what your proposed changes will mean and also help you understand employees’ fears and concerns. While the survival of your business is a priority, your employees should be given a chance to help with that survival, so be prepared to seek external advice and compromise should the need arise.

Julie Sillito is an Employment Lawyer with Riverview Law. Further information about this and other topics can be found by registering for free on the Riverview Law website: www.riverviewlaw.com and you can follow them on Twitter @RiverviewLawSME

In terms of how this could affect you; you can now improve your visibility giving fresh, and relevant, eyes to your business. When it comes to things like renting out a property people’s first port of call is now to check online. Not only can they see about the property from where they are already sat but they can also look at statistics of the area and amenities. This also gives opportunity to check out your business.

Although not seen as a traditional avenue of marketing, small businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of having some kind of online presence. This goes for having Facebook pages, twitter accounts, Google+, YouTube, blogs as well as a website too. These things take commitment to maintain; and in some cases businesses do not understand how important this investment could be. By having a dedicated person, or even team, that can be constantly working on your website you can keep providing excellent content that is not repetitive to your audience and build a direct relationship and interaction with both your customers and readers.

As you can see; there is a lot of work to deal with. Each account requires a different approach, which is a job in itself. Many companies are employing in-house to deal with their online marketing as they understand the importance of this.

When you look at the stats Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn are the top three most used media networks by small businesses. LinkedIn is excellent in terms of relationship building and expanding your network, essential for all small businesses that have some kind of focus on their development. Facebook and twitter give you an almost instantaneous communication channel with your clients and customers. Having this much connectivity means that you should always look at someone to deal with this, as it’s a vital party of your marketing strategy.

As you can see from the below info-graphic, 9 out of 10 people call or visit a business when found after a local search, with statistics like that it starts to hold more gravity. Nowadays, with the internet available pretty much everywhere we can find out information in literally seconds. As with any business strategy, if you’re not willing to move with the correlation then you’re going to get left behind. Your loyal customers may not be quite as willing to part with their cash when they feel like you’re playing catch-up and your competitors are miles ahead.

We are already beginning to see that in the UK economy, brands that didn’t keep up with the online internet boom of recent years are now in a very dangerous position. Many of which, are now regretting this decision; as they were not quick enough to embrace change.

Perhaps many businesses cannot see how they will see a return on investment? However, other more savvy business owners are now in a position to leverage themselves online now as they had already future-proofed their business.
How many businesses do you think can survive in the current economic climate without a web presence?

This article is by Matt Jones who is writing on behalf of Vistaprint UK who specialise in free business cards and websites. Matt is a graduate who specialises in online writing in regards to marketing, business, advertising and promotion.

Friends, family, and personal savings remain amongst the most popular finance options for the UK's small businesses. In fact, research from Simply Business found that the majority of small firms rely on this sort of funding to get off the ground.

There are significant potential advantages to seeking finance from those closest to you. Perhaps the most important of these is that you do not have to deal with the banks. Your friends and family are likely to have a much better understanding of your business than the High Street giants, and they are likely to be more understanding in the event that things do not go as planned. You are also almost certain to get a better rate from friends and family than you are on the High Street, even during a time at which base rates remain at a historic low.

Many of those who borrow from friends and family do so from those with existing business experience. This can also be hugely beneficial, particularly to first-time entrepreneurs, as these individuals can often contribute valuable knowledge as well as cash.

However, it is important that you treat finance from friends or family exactly as you would funding from a bank or other lender. It is vital that Make sure that you have the terms of the funding clearly set out in writing. Is the money a loan, or is it being invested in exchange for equity? How long is the term of the loan? At what rate is it being lent? When will repayment be expected? It is vital that you have these crucial aspects set out on writing before you accept the loan. You may wish to seek professional legal assistance to help you draw up this document. This might seem like overkill, but it will help to avoid the potential for misunderstandings, and can prove vital in ensuring that things don't turn sour.

The banks have got a very bad reputation when it comes to small business finance. This is well justified - there are many stories of perfectly viable businesses being refused credit from banks that they have dealt with for many years, and the High Street banks' excuse that demand amongst businesses has fallen simply doesn't ring true.

But banks are still a key destination for businesses seeking cash. There is some evidence to suggest that some businesses are not getting the funding they need because they have been put off applying altogether. It is worth remembering that banks have lending targets that they are expected to meet. If you believe that you have a viable business, and if you and your firm are creditworthy, then the banks are still worth a shot.

There are two key types of bank finance that you might consider: loans, and overdrafts. Loans are provided for a set term of usually three to ten years. They will have an interest rate that is either fixed or variable - that is, it will either stay the same over the term of the loan, or it will change with the base rate. Loans have a number of distinct advantages. If you have a fixed rate loan you will know exactly how much you need to repay each month, and on what date. You will know when the loan will be repaid and, in many cases, you might be able to extend it if your requirements change.

An overdraft, meanwhile, is more flexible. You are only charged for what you borrow - although you should understand that some banks are introducing flat fees for overdraft use within certain limits. Overdrafts are considered to be short-term funding arrangements. Furthermore, in contrast to a loan, your bank can demand that you repay your overdraft at any time - meaning that they are a more flexible but less secure funding method.

Banks will normally require you to submit a comprehensive business plan in order to prove that your business is viable and has a strategy for repayment and growth. In the case of a new or untested business, you should be prepared for the bank to also perform credit referencing checks on all of the directors. Funding decisions may be contingent on your perceived creditworthiness, as well as that of your business.

Banks are no longer the only show in town. Over the last few years a series of alternative finance methods have been developed, and now they are coming to maturity.

Peer to peer, or P2P lending, also known as crowdfunding, is one of the most exciting of these. In these arrangements, private lenders make loans to small businesses through an intermediary network. Crowdfunding has been popular amongst investors as it provides an opportunity to lend to or purchase equity in exciting new businesses, and enjoy a good return. There is therefore a large and ever-growing pool of investors from which you might be able to draw.

There are several of these networks in existence; the best established include Crowdcube and Funding Circle. Crowdfunding platforms can differ significantly. Funding Circle, for example, only lends to businesses with an annual turnover of at least £100,000, and with at least two years' accounts filed at Companies House. The restrictions on Crowdcube applicants, meanwhile, are not as stringent; in fact, they state that "anyone who is a UK resident, over 18 years old and has or can create a UK based Limited Company" can pitch for finance on the platform.

There are a few really significant advantages to peer to peer lending. The first is that you don't have to deal with the bank - which many business owners see as a major benefit. Just as importantly, though, many businesses who use peer to peer lending find that the lenders are more sympathetic to the realities of running a business. It is common for lenders to take a more active interest in the life of the businesses with which they are dealing, and this can be beneficial. Finally, peer to peer lending is often cheaper than bank lending - but you should make sure that you approach these facilities just as cautiously as you would a conventional loan.

But there are also drawbacks, the most significant of which is upfront cost. Although the rates you pay may be cheaper than those you can secure on the High Street, it is important to understand that most crowdfunding platforms charge a flat fee, often up to 7 per cent, on money invested. Similarly, some platforms place limits on the amount of time a pitch can remain live. You might, for example, have only three months in which to secure all of your funding.

Invoice finance is a less well known funding route, but it can be very useful - particularly for growing businesses. There are two types of invoice finance: factoring, and discounting.

In a factoring arrangement, you pass your unpaid invoices onto a third party, known as a factor. They then pay you a proportion of the face value of the invoice. After this, they take responsibility for ensuring that the invoice is paid. When the invoice is settled, they pay you the remaining amount minus interest and administration fees.

In a discounting arrangement, you maintain responsibility for ensuring that the invoices are paid. The third party simply lends you money based on the face value of your invoices. When the invoices are paid, the money goes to that third party, and you pay them interest for the loan.

Invoice finance is potentially a very flexible way of meeting your funding arrangements but, by nature, it is not suitable for businesses that do not have any invoices. Many businesses still in the 'startup phase', however, use invoice finance to cashflow their ventures. Invoice finance is particularly appealing because it has the potential to grow with your business. It can also provide a potential funding source if you are concerned about being turned down for a loan because of a poor credit history.

As with all funding methods, though, you should be aware of the potential costs. Administration charges can vary significantly from provider to provider, and can make the difference between an affordable solution and an impractical one. Make sure that you fully understand the costs of invoice finance before you begin.

Equity finance involves selling a stake in your business. The investor who buys that stake will take on a portion of the profits or losses that your business makes. In addition, depending on the terms of the investment, you might have to consult with them before you make certain decisions. Equity finance is therefore a decision that should not be taken lightly.

However, there are some significant advantages to equity finance. First and foremost, you will not have to make repayments in the same way that you would if you took out a loan. Equity finance is an investment, and does not need to be repaid. If things do not go to plan and your business ultimately fails, the investors share the risk.

Just as importantly, though, equity finance is often not just about the cash. Instead, equity investors frequently have extensive business experience which they can bring to bear on your venture. Many equity investors end up playing a key role in the development of a startup, and this is one of the most important advantages to this method of funding.

The number of routes through which you might secure equity finance has grown in recent years. Several of the UK's most popular crowdfunding sites are, in fact, platforms through which small businesses can pitch for equity finance. Alternatively, there is likely to be an association of 'angel' investors based near to you. If you think you have a business in which an investor might be interested, you should get in touch with these organisations. Your local Chamber of Commerce will be able to tell you who to contact.

You should note, however, that many equity investors tend to look for firms that already have some proven track record. This method of finance may therefore not be suitable if you business has not yet launched, but could still be an option if your firm is in the 'startup phase' or looking to expand.

Finally, there is a range of grants available to small and growing businesses. These can be a great way of raising finance, for the obvious reason that they do not have to be paid back. However, grants are few and far between, and the criteria for qualification can be stringent. It can therefore seem like a full time job to simply seek out grants for which your business might be eligible.

Young people are particularly well placed to take advantage of startup grants. The government-backed Start-Up Loans Company has more than £100 million that it is tasked with investing in new businesses run by entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30. These are cheap, unsecured loans that are generally extended on the basis of a strong business plan only. The scheme also offers an extensive business mentoring programme, helping entrepreneurs with practical issues like financial forecasts and growth strategies. Start-Up Loans are administered by Delivery Partners across England. You can apply to contact your local provider on the Start-Up Loans website.

If you are looking for cash to bring new knowledge and expertise into your business, you might choose to investigate the government's Innovation Vouchers. Under this scheme you can bid for up to £5,000 to transfer new knowledge or skills into your firm, provided that it comes from a business from which you haven't dealt in the past. You can find more information about Innovation Vouchers on the Simply Business website, or through the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills.

It can be challenging to find a grant for which your business is suitable. The government's own business support finder, available on the .GOV website, can help you identify potential grants.

Regardless of the type of funding you choose to apply for, it is vital that you put together a comprehensive, convincing business case. You should be prepared to present a business plan to any potential lender or investor. You will need to show your projected numbers for several years in advance. You should also understand that some funding sources are only available to businesses of certain legal types - for example, equity finance is only available to limited companies. If you are yet to write a business plan, or if you are confused about legal structures, you can find more information in the Simply Business Knowledge centre, or you should consult an accountant or solicitor.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) is one of the flagship policies by which the coalition hopes to translate the UK's entrepreneurial spirit into a new wave of profit-generating companies. But what does the NEA consist of, and can you benefit from it?

The New Enterprise Allowance is a package of support aimed at would-be entrepreneurs aged 18 and over and currently in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance. From 18 February 2013 the NEA is also available to Employment and Support Allowance claimants in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG), and lone parents in receipt of Income Support.

The NEA provides practical and financial support to individuals in those categories who wish to start their own businesses. It consists of a combination of business mentoring, a weekly allowance, and a business loan.

Once you join the scheme you will be assigned a business mentor. This individual will help you put together your business plan, and will support you in turning your idea into a realistic, revenue-generating venture. Your mentor will stay with you, providing ongoing assistance during your first few months of trading.

When your business plan has been approved, you will be given access to the financial support. This comes in the form of a weekly allowance, and a start-up loan facility.

The NEA weekly allowance is £65 per week for the first 13 weeks, and £33 per week for the second 13 weeks. The allowance is paid for a maximum total of 26 weeks. Meanwhile the loan is available up to £1,000. Although the loan is credit scored, reports suggest that the loan providers are comparatively lenient with regard to poor credit histories.

You can remain in receipt of JSA while you develop your business idea with your mentor. However, you cannot claim the allowance or apply for the loan until you stop your benefit claim and started trading.

You should remember, though, that the NEA does not affect your entitlement to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. It also will not affect your tax credit position, and is not considered when calculating your Income Tax bill.

Although the New Enterprise Allowance can be very useful for those who wish to start a business, it is important to understand that there are some potential downsides to the programme. The first is the requirement that you give up your JSA before you receive the NEA payments. You should work closely with your mentor to ensure you are confident about your business proposal before you do this.

Some NEA participants have, however, reported difficulties getting in touch with their mentors, and many are unhappy with the level of contact they have received. As such, you may wish to augment the support you receive from your mentor by developing your own knowledge separately. There is a wealth of resources online to help you start your business, including those found in the Knowledge section of the Simply Business website.

Finally, it is also worth remembering that £1,000 may simply not be enough to start your business. In this case you might consider exploring other potential funding avenues, such as the government's Start-Up Loans scheme.

Applications for the NEA are made through your Jobcentre Plus. Talk to your JC advisor to find out how to put your name forward.

In this month's Queen's Speech the government indicated its intention that private landlords should be required to check whether or not prospective tenants are legally allowed to settle in the UK before offering a tenancy. The proposal was one of the centrepieces of a speech that focused heavily on immigration.

According to the government's plans, landlords who fail to conduct the checks would receive significant fines.

But the proposals have been widely criticised by both opposition MPs and landlord groups, and this weekend the government seemed to backtrack, suggesting that the checks would only be introduced in 'high risk' areas.

The Telegraph reports that Communities secretary Eric Pickles is working to ensure that "ordinary people" who rent out a single home will be exempted from the requirements. It has been suggested that the tests might not apply to tenants who hold a British passport, and that landlords would only be expected to carry them out when letting properties in specific, high-risk areas. The Telegraph cites the West London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow as examples.

In the House of Commons Labour MP Fiona Mactaggart said the plans were simply unfeasible. "I am not sure how a landlord is supposed to be able to prove to their own satisfaction whether someone is qualified or not," she said. "In order to operate the proposal sensibly, it will probably require a register of landlords."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper echoed the remarks, saying that "the government cannot tell us how their policy will be enforced, because they do not know who the landlords are and they will not have a statutory register."

Others, however, have suggested that the new regime would make little difference to landlords, many of whom already include basic checks of this sort in their referencing process. Richard Lambert, CEO of the National Landlords Association, welcomed the proposals, saying: "Every landlord should thoroughly reference a tenant prior to offering a tenancy; this is standard best practice which safeguards the landlord's business. Tenant checks should include not only an identity check, as suggested, but also whether the tenant has any County Court Judgments, possible aliases and include references from their employer and a previous landlord. Such checks should highlight any immigration irregularities.

"However, local authorities must undertake robust, intelligence-led, targeted enforcement, otherwise illegal immigrants who are refused housing by reputable landlords will face homelessness or be pushed straight back into the arms of the criminals who deliberately exploit vulnerable people."

At the moment, the government's proposals are just that - proposals. They may yet be changed, or simply not implemented at all.

That said, the proposals highlight several vital things that landlords should keep in the forefront of their minds. The first is the importance of proper tenant referencing. By ensuring that you check your tenants' credit history, previous landlords, and employment status, you can minimise the risk of non-payment and other problems.

Secondly, as Cooper and Mactaggart pointed out, the prospect of a nationwide register of landlords remains a real one. Registers have already been introduced in parts of the UK, and landlords should be prepared for a national list in the future.