7 Facts About Starting Up A Small Business You Might Not Know

99% of all businesses are classified as small or micro businesses. That’s wild, right? Almost everyone you know with a business is technically running a “small” one, even if it looks big on Instagram. Starting up a small business has never been more accessible—but it also means standing out is tougher than ever.

Now, we’ve got to say this upfront. Starting up a business is not just about having a good idea and posting about it online. It’s exciting, yes, but it’s also a little chaotic. You’re googling things like “how to start your own business,” “sole trader definition,” or “what’s the easiest small business to start up?” – usually at midnight with a cup of cold coffee next to you. 

Some people think they need a fancy office, a huge team, or loads of funding just to get started. But the truth is, you can start small, stay lean, and still make it work. You don’t even need to quit your job on day one (more on that later).

There’s a lot of noise out there about how to establish a company or what tools you have to use. But we’re here to give it to you straight with 7 things to think about when starting a business that could save you time, money, and stress.

1. Your Business Name Can Affect Your SEO From Day One

Naming your business can be really fun. That is until you realize Google has a say in it too.

If you aren’t aware, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s essentially how you make your website or business show up on Google when someone searches for your offer. 

According to Google, 70% of all consumer journeys involve a Google touchpoint, such as Search, YouTube, or Maps. Not Instagram. Not TikTok. Google. That means your business name needs to actually help people find you.

Let’s say you’re starting a candle business and you call it something like ‘Wick’d.’ While that name may be cool, it’s searchable isn’t. If someone types “soy candles near me” or “handmade candles online” into Google, Wick’d doesn’t tell the algorithm (or the customer) anything useful.

Search engines are basically robots scanning the internet for clues. They’re looking for words that match what people are searching for. If your business name includes clear, relevant keywords like ‘Wick’d Candles’ or ‘Wick’d Natural Soy Candles,’ you’re giving those bots something to grab onto.

That means you’re more likely to show up in search results. More eyes on your website. More clicks. More sales.

The best part about this is that it helps you to succeed from day one, before you’ve even written a blog, posted a reel, or run your first ad.

So yes, your name can be fun and clever, but it also needs to be functional. If no one can find you, it won’t matter how pretty your logo is.

2. Your Personal Credit Score Can Make or Break Your Funding Chances

Nobody tells you this when you start a business, but your personal credit score can follow you into your business like an uninvited guest.

Even if you’ve got a solid idea, a killer business plan, and all the passion in the world, if your credit score is low, lenders might slam the door in your face. That’s because when your business is brand new, it doesn’t have any financial history of its own yet. So banks, loan providers, and even some grant programs look at your personal credit to decide whether or not they trust you with money.

And they’re picky. The average credit score needed to qualify for a small business loan in the US is around 680 or higher. Anything below that and you might get stuck with sky-high interest rates. Or worse, no funding at all.

It doesn’t mean you’re doomed if your score isn’t perfect. But it does mean you should check it early, before you even apply for funding. Clean up old debts, pay things off on time, and don’t max out your credit cards. It takes time, but it can make all the difference.

Getting A Grant for Your Small Business

Starting a business grants sound like a dream. Free money, no repayments, and a nice boost to get your business moving. But they’re competitive, time-consuming, and often come with a mountain of paperwork. That said, they do exist, and if you’re eligible, they’re 100% worth applying for. 

Government funding, private foundations, and even local councils offer grants for things like innovation, job creation, sustainability, and community impact. The trick is finding the ones that fit your business and making sure your application stands out. 

3. Local Support Is Sometimes Easier To Get Than A Grant

Oftentimes, what really moves the needle is a little help from closer to home. Your council, business chambers, community groups, even that one retired accountant who runs free workshops at the library (you know the type). These people want to see small businesses thrive in their area because it boosts the local economy, creates jobs, and keeps high streets alive.

You might find access to startup mentoring, co-working space discounts, pop-up retail opportunities, or even small local funding pots that are easier to get than the big national grants. Plus, they usually don’t require a 10-page business plan and your entire financial history since birth.

So before you spend weeks writing grant applications, check out what’s available in your postcode first. Pop into the council office, ask around at networking events, and don’t be shy about telling people what you’re building—local support is often sitting there, waiting for you to ask.

4. The Easiest Small Business When Starting Up Is …  

…the one that solves a problem you already understand. That’s it. There’s no magical list of businesses guaranteed to succeed. But the easiest small business to start up is usually something low-cost, familiar, and based on skills you already have.

Think about what people are constantly asking you for help with. Are you great at organising events? Fixing tech issues? Walking dogs? Maybe you love making cakes that somehow go viral on Instagram? There’s your starting point.

Now, we can give you a little tidbit though, based on some recent data from Shopify. They found that service-based businesses (like tutoring, cleaning, freelance design, or consulting) are some of the easiest to launch because they require minimal upfront costs and can often be started from home.

You don’t need a big office, a logo, or even a website on day one. Start small. Offer your service to a friend. Ask for a review. Rinse and repeat. Once you’ve proven there’s demand, then you can scale up.

5. Business Systems Software Can Replace Entire Departments 

One of the biggest shocks when you start a business is realizing you are the marketing team, the accountant, the HR rep, the IT support… oh, and also the person trying to sell the actual product. But modern software can take a huge chunk of that workload off your plate.

From payroll and inventory to customer loyalty and delivery tracking, there’s a system for nearly everything. The best POS system can track stock in real time, manage your staff rotas, send marketing emails, and even integrate with your online store. You’re basically running multiple departments from one screen. 

Plus, AI can be a small business’s best friend, helping you automate emails, generate content, predict trends, and manage customer service without hiring anyone. 

So no, you don’t need to hire five people to get started. You just need the right tech, and a little know-how to make it work for you.

6. Metrics Of Success Are Not Always Financial 

When you start a business, everyone suddenly wants to know: How much are you making?

Profit matters, we’re not saying it doesn’t. But if you only measure success in dollars, you’re missing half the story.

For small business owners, success can look like finally getting your first repeat customer. Or working fewer hours than you did in your 9–5. Or being able to pick your kid up from school without asking anyone’s permission. That’s the kind of freedom most people actually want when they start their own thing.

Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to a seven-figure brand on LinkedIn. Instead, track your own progress. 

7. You’re More Likely to Succeed If You are Employed When Starting Up a Business

Quitting your job to “go all in” sounds super romantic but that’s not always the smartest (or most affordable) move. In fact, small business statistics found that entrepreneurs who kept their day jobs while starting their businesses were 33% less likely to fail than those who quit straight away.

Why, you ask? Because a steady income gives you breathing room. You’re not making panic decisions just to cover rent. You’ve got time to test, tweak, and grow at a sustainable pace, without burning out or draining your savings.

Side Hustles Can Help

This is where side hustles come in clutch. They let you dip your toes in the water without diving in headfirst. Whether you’re freelancing on weekends, selling products online, or running a small service business in your spare time, it all adds up.

You learn, you grow, and you build confidence, without the pressure of your business needing to pay every single bill from day one. It’s a smart way to prove your concept, build momentum, and eventually make the switch on your terms.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed these small business tips and that they’ve helped cut through the noise a little. Whether you’re still brainstorming names or juggling your side hustle after hours, just remember that no one starting out a business has everything figured out. But with the right mindset (and a few tricks up your sleeve), you’ll be way ahead of the game. Here’s to building something amazing, on your terms.