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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

You must comply with legal restrictions on employees' working hours and time off, or risk claims, enforcement action and even prosecution.

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Most pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while new fathers are entitled to paternity leave and paternity pay.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

Home, remote and lone workers are becoming increasingly commonplace. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

The right approach to consulting with and providing information to your employees can improve employee motivation and performance.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Disciplinary and grievance issues can be a major burden to employers. Putting in place and following the right procedures is essential.

Following the right dismissal and redundancy procedures helps protect your business and minimise the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. A tribunal case is a no-win situation – even if the claim is unjustified.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

Revealed: what start up business owners ask Google

9 November 2021

A new study of internet search terms used by new business owners has uncovered the start up business questions that are most frequently asked on Google.

Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance has investigated the most popular search terms used by those that are planning to start a business to find out where they need help and which topics are most important to would-be entrepreneurs.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular search phrases asked by new business owners on Google are "how to start a business" and "how to register a business". However, queries about business plans, websites, social media and mortgages for business owners are high on the list as well.

John Atkinson, head of commercial business at Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance, has analysed the questions and provided key answers. The top five Google search terms for start up business owners are:

How to start a business - 8,200 monthly searches

Atkinson says: "Many people want to start their own business, but often don't know where to start. First of all, it's most important to get the basics sorted … spend time researching potential options, including competitors and the opportunities in the market."

How to register a business - 5,600 monthly searches

Atkinson says: "The most common way for small businesses to be registered is as a sole trader, which only requires a national insurance number. Partnerships are similar to a sole trader set up, but the ownership is shared between a number of people … Limited companies must be registered with Companies House."

How to write a business plan - 3,300 monthly searches

Atkinson says: "A business plan might sound like a daunting prospect, but it's essentially a document describing your business, including information on objectives, strategies, sales and marketing strategy and financial information."

How to build a website - 1,800 monthly searches

Atkinson says: "A good website can make or break a new start-up so it's important you get this right. While it sounds very technical, there are a number of web hosting services, such as GoDaddy or Wix, that can help simplify your process and get your website ready for business quickly."

How to start a business with no money - 1,400 monthly searches

Atkinson says: "Many new businesses might be able to get themselves off the ground with very little money, such as a dog walker or freelancer, but it's important to calculate your outgoings based on your business model."

The following ten most popular start-up search terms are:

The full breakdown of the most Googled start-up questions are available on the Hitachi Capital website.

Written by Rachel Miller.

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