Start-up options
Buying an established business rather than starting a new business can be a good option for many potential business owners. Established businesses come with an existing customer base and are already trading. However, you may also inherit any problems that the business has. You need to know exactly what you’re signing up for, and be clear about your ability to run a business.

• Due diligence checklist for buying a business – What to find out before you buy a business
• Buying a business – Important steps for buying an existing business
• Buying a franchise – Find out how to buy a franchise business
• Starting a home business – Setting up a home business, accounting, work-life balance, networking, eBusiness
• Doing business online: the basics – Overview of online business, online buying and selling, creating a website, online security
Business legal structures – Overview of main business structures – sole trader, partnership, company and trust

Not-for-profits and associations – Overview of not-for-profit incorporated associations, charities and cooperatives

Joint ventures – Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of joint ventures

Business start-up guides – An invaluable resource as you plan your business

Establishing a business

• Establishing your business – Business structures, naming your business, leasing premises, finance, banking
• Register a business name – Tips for choosing a business name and how to register it
• Business licensing – Topics: Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS), getting the right licences and registrations, guide to operating
• Tax for business: the basics – Employer tax obligations and record keeping
• Business rights and responsibilities – Know your obligations and legal requirements for operating a business in Queensland
• Codes of practice – Find out which codes are relevant to your business
• Business insurance – Get the right insurance for your business
• Calculating your costs when starting a business – Use this interactive calculator to estimate your business start-up costs
• Funding your business – Equity and debt finance, applying for finance
• Managing risk when starting up – Identify, analyse, evaluate and treat risks
• Record keeping for business – The benefits of record keeping
• Skills for running a business – Develop the skills you need to run a successful business
• Working with business advisers – How to find and work with financial, legal and other advisers
• Internet banking – The benefits of setting up an online banking system

Planning is one of the most important things you can do to make your business successful – whether you are considering, starting, running, expanding or exiting a business.

If you are starting a new business, your business plan will help you get your idea off the ground. It will give you an opportunity to consider what goals are realistic and achievable and help you identify what you can do within your budget. Your plan will be a guide to making your idea a reality.

Business licensing

• Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS)- Find licences, permits and registrations for your business
• Getting the right licences and registrations – Business licences, registering your business for tax, trademarks and domain names

Business Planning

• Preparing a business plan – Understanding, preparing and reviewing your business plan
• Business planning kit – Free planning template, financial spreadsheets and sample business plans
• Business planning tools – Information to help start, run and grow your business
• Create a business vision – Give your business a clear focus and inspire your staff
• Business values – Develop business values to guide your business strategy and planning
• Business processes, procedures and standards – Help streamline the day-to-day running of your business

Legal requirements
When you start a business you are required to meet certain legal requirements. To comply with the law you may need specific licences, permits and registrations. You will also need to register your business name with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and register your business for taxation purposes with the Australian Taxation Office

Meeting legal obligations

• Meeting your legal obligations – Understand the legal requirements for starting and running a business
• The Competition and Consumer Act – What the Act means for Queensland businesses
• Legal and ethical selling – Understand your legal and ethical obligations as a seller
• Guarantees, warranties and refunds – Find out how to provide fair and legal guarantees, warranties and refunds
• Business requirements under trade measurement laws – Laws for selling or manufacturing pre-packaged goods
• Protecting privacy and information – Protect your business and your customers’ privacy

Market and customer research
Successful businesses make regular market research the foundation of their marketing and sales planning.

• Benchmarking your business – How to measure and improve your business performance
• Market research – Understand how to conduct effective market research and avoid common challenges
• Market research kit – Free, step-by-step guide to doing your own online market research
• Your competitive advantage – Set your business apart from your competition
• Competitor profile chart – Identify how your competitors operate so you can compete
• Researching customers – Grow your business by understanding what your customers need
• SWOT analysis – Using a SWOT analysis to help make business decisions
• Research resources for business and industry – Find organisations that can help you research your business and industry