Business Setup Roadmap
An answer-led business setup plan - adapts based on your structure, trading status, and situation. Covers sole trader, limited company, and undecided paths with a decision framework, registrations, admin steps, key deadlines, and common mistakes by structure.
Sample content
What it looks like inside
How the Roadmap adapts to your answers
The plan you receive is shaped by your Structure Checker answers - your likely structure, trading status, whether you are starting alone or with others, and whether you sell products. Here is how three common paths look.
If you are leaning sole trader
Your plan prioritises HMRC registration, Self Assessment deadlines, allowable expenses, bookkeeping basics, and what to check before your income approaches £30,000.
If you are leaning limited company
Your plan covers Companies House registration, Corporation Tax, PAYE before your first salary, how to pay yourself as a director, and your first-month action steps.
If you are undecided
Your plan includes a six-question decision framework covering co-ownership, liability, profit level, admin capacity, and speed - plus a clear summary of the practical differences that matter most for your answers.
Already trading: if you have already started, your plan flags any registration deadlines you need to act on now and explains how to catch up if needed.
Plan content varies based on your Structure Checker answers. The Roadmap covers five sections in full.
Contents
What's included
Your Structure and Path
Based on your answers - your likely-fit structure, the key differences that matter for your situation, and a decision framework if your position is mixed.
- Structure summary with reasoning for your answers
- Key practical differences that apply to your situation
- Decision framework - six questions for undecided cases
- When to revisit the structure decision
Registration Action Plan
What you need to register for and in what order, with deadlines.
- HMRC registrations with deadlines
- Companies House (if limited company path)
- VAT awareness check
- Already-trading deadline warnings where they apply
Admin and Compliance Steps
The admin tasks you should not skip, in priority order.
- Bank account and record-keeping setup
- Insurance and data protection awareness
- Bookkeeping basics for your structure
- What to set up before your first invoice
Deadlines and Calendar
Key dates for your first year, including structure-specific obligations.
- Self Assessment and Corporation Tax deadlines
- Companies House filing calendar (limited company)
- Payment deadlines including payments on account
- Review points for the first 12 months
Common Mistakes by Structure
What typically goes wrong in the first year, and how to avoid it.
- Sole trader mistakes: expenses, registration, payments on account
- Limited company mistakes: dividends without profits, missed PAYE
- Undecided: cost of delaying the structure decision
- Already-trading: missed deadlines and how to catch up
Scope
What this does not include
- Bespoke advice specific to your circumstances
- Tax return filing or HMRC registration on your behalf
- Annual accounts preparation or Companies House filing
- One-to-one advice or the ability to ask questions
- Complex situations: employees, VAT, investors, overseas income, or IR35
This is a self-serve information product. It does not include one-to-one advice, filing services, accounts preparation, or assessment of your full circumstances.
Best for
- Anyone starting a UK business who is still deciding on their structure
- People who got a "review needed" result from our Structure Checker
- Already-trading businesses checking they have not missed anything
- Those who want a single reference covering both sole trader and limited company paths
Not for
- Businesses already working with an accountant covering setup (they will handle this)
- Anyone who has already decided on their structure and wants focused guidance - use a Starter Pack instead
Audience
Who is this for?
The Business Setup Roadmap is for anyone starting a UK business who wants a clear, ordered plan covering what to do, what to register for, what deadlines apply, and how to keep their records straight from day one.
It is particularly useful if your structure is not yet settled - the Roadmap covers both the sole trader and limited company paths in full, with a decision framework for undecided cases. If you did our Structure Checker and got a “review needed” result, this is a logical next step to consider.
Process
How it works
- 1
Complete the Structure Checker first (suggested)
Your answers shape the Roadmap - the plan adapts to your structure and situation
- 2
Complete a secure one-time payment
No subscription, no recurring charges
- 3
Your Roadmap is ready immediately after purchase
No waiting, no manual delivery
- 4
Work through the five sections in priority order
Structure, registrations, admin steps, deadlines, common mistakes
Questions
Common questions
How is this different from the Starter Packs?
The Roadmap covers both sole trader and limited company paths and includes a decision framework for undecided cases. The Starter Packs go deeper into one specific structure. If you already know your structure, a Starter Pack may be more suitable.
Do I need to complete the Structure Checker first?
Suggested but not required. If you complete the Structure Checker before purchasing, your Roadmap will reflect your answers. If not, the Roadmap covers all paths.
Does this include one-to-one advice?
No. This is a self-serve reference product. It does not include advice sessions, filing services, or the ability to ask questions.
Is the content up to date?
Content is reviewed annually for current tax year rates and thresholds. The last reviewed date is shown in your purchase.
What if my situation is complex?
The Roadmap is designed for straightforward sole trader and simple limited company situations. If you have employees, overseas income, investors, or face complex tax questions, speak to a qualified accountant.
Haven't done a checker yet?
Start with a free checkerBusiness Setup Roadmap
- Answer-led - plan adapts to your structure and situation
- Sole trader, limited company, and undecided paths
- Decision framework for mixed-signal or undecided cases
- Already-trading urgency: flags deadlines you need to act on now
- Registration, admin, and deadline action plan
- Common first-year mistakes by structure
Secure payment via Stripe · Instant access after purchase
Digital product, delivered immediately on payment. By purchasing you accept that your right to cancel does not apply once access is granted. Refund Policy
Important
This output was generated based on the answers you provided and publicly available UK government guidance. It is designed to help you understand what commonly applies in situations like yours. It does not constitute specific tax, legal, or financial advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a qualified professional.
Last updated: 2026-04-14