Business Gateway’s range of free online resources on starting a business covers the basics you need to consider before you get up and running.

To ensure a smooth start, make use of our handy guides, articles and templates on topics ranging from forming a company and naming a business to writing a business plan. There’s general guidance on filing a tax return, help for start-ups and how to avoid common mistakes when starting up. And there are tailored resources for family-run businesses, social enterprises, high-growth businesses and businesses run from home.

Explore our online resources for your business stage. The more complex the subject matter, the more detail we provide.

Yes, if you are thinking about starting, or already run, a business in Scotland.

This is a free and impartial service.

Any potential start-up or new business based in Scotland.

Guides typically take 5 to 10 minutes to read, while it takes about 1 minute to check out a template.  

Once you’ve begun trading, you can find even more useful guidance in our online resources on running a business.

Visit the Business Gateway website to learn more about starting a business.