Types of business

There are more than 5.6 million business in the UK. Find how to guides for more than 180 different types of business if you are thinking of joining the small business ranks.

Dropshipping has taken off as a business format and is predicted to be worth $475 billion by 2026. Discover how you can join the dropshipping revolution and start your own dropshipping business.

Read our practical guide to opening and running your own cafe.

Our practical guide will help you open and run your own convenience store.

The night-time economy has been hit hard by the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. However, people still want to go out at night. Discover what you need to consider if you’re considering opening a night club.

There's no doubt that streaming services and online stores have thrown up many challenges for record shops, but a well-run business can still succeed.

You'll find all you need to open and run your own off-licence in our practical guide.

Check out our guide for starting and running your own animal boarding business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your courier business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own fishing tackle shop.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own bakery.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own beauty business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own bike shop.

Check out our guide for starting and running your own blacksmith's business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own book shop.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own bookkeeping business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own bridal shop.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own builders merchant business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own building firm.

Our guide gives you the essentials for starting up and running your own alarm fitting business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own business.

Owners of valuable classic vehicles are also key customers. Read our guide to starting up and running your own alarm fitting business.

Ever thought of running your own car bodyshop? Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your dream business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own car parts business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own car parts business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your valeting business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own caravan site.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own care or nursing home.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own carpet fitting business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own carpet shop.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own cheese making business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own childminding business.

Read our guide to help you to start up and run your own chimney sweeping business.

Our guide will help you start up and run your own Chinese catering business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own herbal medicine practice.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own chiropody practice.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own chiropractic clinic.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own classic car restoration business in our practical guide.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own clothes hire business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own clothes shop in our practical guide.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own clothes manufacturing business.

Private coach firms may offer local bus services to fare-paying passengers, possibly on routes subsidised by the local authority, or they may take on private hire work.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own computer shop.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own construction business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own contract cleaning business.

Check out our guide for starting and running your own cycling events business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own damp proofing business in our practical guide.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own day nursery.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own delicatessen.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own dental lab in our practical guide.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own dental practice.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own DIY shop in our practical guide.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own dressmaking business.

Specialist driveway and patio firms offer a range of services including laying paving and other exterior surfaces, cleaning, repairs and maintenance.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own driving school.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own dry cleaners.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own manufacturing business.

This guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own farm shop.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own farm supply business in our practical guide.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own farrier business in our practical guide.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own fencing business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own fish and chip shop from our practical guide.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own fishmonger's shop in our practical guide.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own fitness centre.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your florist's shop.

Our guide will help you start up and run your own food manufacturing business.

Demand for funeral services is increasing to meet the needs of an ageing UK population. Read our practical guide to starting your own funeral director business.

Our guide will help you start up and run your own furniture manufacturing business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own restoration business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own furniture shop.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own garage.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own garden centre.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own garden services business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own golf driving range.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own language school.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own life coaching business.

Make people's weddings and special occasions complete by offering luxury vehicle hire.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own business in our practical guide.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your livery stable business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own locksmiths.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own male grooming salon in our practical guide.

Our guide gives you all the essentials you need for starting up and running your own business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own business in our practical guide.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own milk round.

Looking for flexible and varied driving work? Running a minicab business might fit the bill.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own Mobile DJ business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own mobile phone business in our practical guide.

Our guide will help you start up and run your own mobile takeaway business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own dealership.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own motorcycle retailing business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own motorcycle rider training business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own business.

Our guide gives you the essentials you need for starting up and running your own nutritional therapy business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own paintball centre.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own painter and decorating business.

The cost-of-living crisis has led to a boom in demand for money service businesses. Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own pawnbroking business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own personal training business in our practical guide.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own pest control business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own pet grooming business.

If you're an animal lover running a pet shop might be an option for you.

A practical guide to starting and running your own pharmacy or buying an existing pharmacy, including how to identify your target market and what products and services to offer.

Photographic equipment shops sell and hire equipment to casual photographers, serious hobbyists and professionals.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own photographic business in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own physiotherapy practice in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own picture framing business in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own pig farm in our practical guide.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own pizza delivery business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you start up and run your own plastering business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own plumbing business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own pony trekking centre.

Pool, snooker and billiards remain popular - particularly with younger men. Read our practical guide to starting and running your own pool hall business.

The number of Post Offices has fallen in recent years. The Post Office has also been in the spotlight thanks to the Horizon scandal. That said, they are still a popular lifestyle.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own pottery business in our practical guide.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your poultry business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own printing business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own pub in our practical guide.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own record label business.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own reflexology practice.

If you want to offer removals services you'll need to decide who your customers will be - domestic households or commercial organisations.

There are lots of things to consider if you're planning on running a shop.

Read our practical guide to starting up and running your roofing business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own rural crafts business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own sandwich bar in our practical guide.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own scaffolding business in our practical guide.

Scrap metal prices can go up and down quickly so you'll need to take this into account if you're setting up as a scrap metal dealer.

If you're thinking of setting up your own shoe repair business, read our guide for practical help and guidance.

Ever wondered how to start your own shoe shop? Follow this guide on how to start up your own shoe shop business up and running.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own sign writing business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your skip hire business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your smallholding venture.

Sports goods retailing is very competitive and independent outlets need to make sure they have something special to offer customers - like a repair or hire service.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own agency.

Most surf shops are located in coastal areas and are often run by people with a keen interest in surfing.

To run a tack shop ideally you'll be knowledgeable about equestrian matters and located in an area with lots of horses and riders.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tanning business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tattoo business.

All taxis and taxi drivers must be licensed. Find out how to set up a taxi firm, what competition you might face, what other taxi services you can offer and how to get a licence for you and your taxi.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your thatching business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your tiling business in our practical guide.

Start and run your own tool hire business with our essential guide. Covering all the key considerations for tool hire businesses, get started today.

Although the toy market is very competitive there's still room for well-run independents offering great service.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tree services business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own turf supply business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own tyre-fitting business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your second-hand car retailing business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own veterinary practice.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your waste collection business.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your web developer business.

Wholesalers act as middlemen between manufacturers and businesses like shops and hairdressers.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your window cleaning business.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your window fitting business.

Our guide gives you the essentials for starting up and running your own windscreen business.

Read our practical guide on starting up and running your own accountancy business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own acupuncture practice.

This guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own aerial installing business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own amusement arcade in our practical guide.

Check out our practical guide on the essentials for starting and running your own antiques business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own practice.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own architectural salvage business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own aromatherapy business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own gallery in our practical guide.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own art shop in our practical guide.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own ecommerce business.

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own eBay business.

Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own electrical shop.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own electrician business.

Get the essentials for starting up and running your own business as an entertainer in our practical guide.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own estate agency.

Our guide gives you the essentials for starting up and running your own event hire business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own ice cream parlour in our practical guide.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own internet cafe in our practical guide.

Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own office-based business.

Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own office goods business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own optician business in our practical guide.

Our guide will help you start up and run your own organic farm business.

You'll find all you need to start up and run your own osteopath business in our practical guide.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own outdoor activity centre.

Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your outdoor equipment retailing business.

Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own outside catering business.

Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your upholstery business.

At first glance, Bookdonors, a Selkirk-based social enterprise, appears simply to sell books to raise money for good cause. But there's more to it.