with WordPress, Drupal & Shopify —
Launch Your Business Smarter & Faster
Everything that happens before a single line of your own code is written — the invisible infrastructure that makes the internet work.
Key Terms — Session 1
These are the words you'll hear all day. By lunchtime, they'll be second nature.
A global network of computers talking to each other using shared rules called protocols.
A unique number identifying every device online — like a postal address for your computer (e.g. 185.199.108.153).
The human-readable address you register and own — e.g. mybakery.co.uk. The DNS translates it to an IP address.
Domain Name System — the internet's phonebook. Converts names to IP addresses so browsers can find websites.
A company licensed to sell domain names — Namecheap, 123-reg, GoDaddy. You rent the name annually from them.
Renting space on a server where your website files live, available 24/7 to anyone who visits your domain.
Encrypts data between visitor and server — the padlock in your browser. Essential for trust and Google ranking.
HyperText Markup Language — the basic building blocks that give every web page its structure and content.
Choosing, checking and registering your domain name
A domain like shop.mybakery.co.uk has several distinct parts, each with a specific meaning:
The part you pay to register is the Second-Level + TLD (mybakery.co.uk). Subdomains like shop. or blog. are free and you can create as many as you need.
Keep it short, easy to spell, and matching your brand. Check social media handles at the same time. UK businesses often do well with .co.uk for trust and .com for international reach. Always check trademarks at gov.uk/search-for-trademark before registering.
| Registrar | Known for | Typical .co.uk price |
|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | Competitive pricing, free WHOIS privacy | ~£6/year |
| 123-reg | UK-focused, good for beginners | ~£9/year |
| GoDaddy | Huge TLD selection — read upsell prompts carefully | ~£10/year |
| Cloudflare | At-cost, no markup — best value for renewals | ~£7/year |
How DNS works, record types and connecting your domain to hosting
When you type a web address, your computer performs a DNS lookup — a chain of queries that finds the IP address behind the name. The whole thing happens in milliseconds.
Your host gives you two nameserver addresses (e.g. ns1.siteground.net). Log into your registrar → DNS / Nameservers → enter these. DNS propagation takes 1–48 hours worldwide. Use mxtoolbox.com to verify your records are live.
Choosing the right hosting plan and why HTTPS matters
| Hosting type | Best for | Approx. monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Beginners, low-traffic sites | £2 – £8 |
| Managed WordPress | WordPress sites, less maintenance | £8 – £30 |
| VPS | Growing businesses, more control | £15 – £60 |
| Cloud (AWS/GCP) | High-traffic, scalable, enterprise | Pay-as-you-go |
| Shopify / Wix | eCommerce, all-in-one platform | £25 – £50+ |
| Static (Netlify/Vercel) | Simple sites, no database | Free – £15 |
SSL encrypts your visitors' data. Without it, browsers show a "Not Secure" warning and Google de-ranks your site. Most hosts include a free Let's Encrypt certificate. Enable it in your hosting control panel with one click.
What to look for in a host:
Choose the right platform, launch fast, and understand how to legally structure your new business.
Key Terms — Session 2
Minimum Viable Product — the simplest version of your idea you can put in front of real customers to test and learn.
Content Management System — software like WordPress that lets you build and manage a site without writing code.
The world's most popular CMS, powering 43% of all websites. Free, open-source, infinitely extensible.
All-in-one hosted eCommerce platform — payments, hosting and shop builder all included in one monthly fee.
A Private Limited Company — a separate legal entity that protects your personal assets from business debts.
The simplest business structure — you and the business are legally the same. Quick to set up, no liability shield.
A business democratically owned and run by its members — workers, customers or the wider community.
UK data protection law — if you collect emails, use analytics, or store customer data, these rules apply to you.
Choosing your platform
Use this to pick the right tool for your idea — switching later is possible but painful.
The flexible powerhouse
The eCommerce specialist
The enterprise option
Build → Measure → Learn → Repeat. Don't spend months building the perfect site. Launch a basic version, get real customer feedback, then improve. Your first version is supposed to be imperfect — that's the point.
Essential pages for every business website
Free marketing tools to start with
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Local search & Maps listing | Free |
| Mailchimp | Email newsletters | Free ≤500 |
| Canva | Design graphics & logos | Free |
| Google Analytics 4 | Track visitor behaviour | Free |
| Google Search Console | See what searches find you | Free |
| Buffer / Later | Schedule social posts | Free tier |
Your legal structure affects your tax, liability, paperwork and ability to raise money. There's no single right answer — pick the one that fits where you are today.
You and the business are legally one and the same. All profit is yours after tax. No separation between personal and business finances.
A separate legal entity from you. Limited liability protects your personal assets. More admin, but better for growth and investment.
Two or more people run a business together, sharing profits and responsibility. Get a written partnership agreement — it saves arguments later.
Limited Liability Partnership. Like a partnership but each partner's liability is limited to what they invest. Popular with solicitors and accountants.
Owned and democratically run by members — one member, one vote. Profits benefit members proportional to their activity, not just investment.
Community Interest Company — a limited company that exists for community benefit. Profits are "locked in" for community use. Great for social enterprises.
Register with HMRC for Self Assessment by 5 October after your first year of trading. It's free and takes 15 minutes online at gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader.
Register at Companies House (gov.uk/register-a-company) for £12 online — usually approved within 24 hours. You'll need a registered office address, at least one director, and at least one shareholder.
Register both partners for Self Assessment with HMRC. A written partnership agreement isn't legally required but is strongly recommended — it clarifies how profits, decisions and disputes are handled.
Register at Companies House. Popular with professional services firms — solicitors, architects, accountants. Combines the flexibility of a partnership with the protection of limited liability.
Register as a Co-operative Society with the FCA, or as a Community Benefit Society. Cooperatives UK (uk.coop) provides model rules, support and community for the 7,000+ UK co-ops. Worker co-ops are the fastest-growing business form in the UK.
Apply to the CIC Regulator alongside Companies House registration. There's an additional £27 fee. Great for charities that need to trade commercially, social enterprises, arts organisations and community projects.
| Structure | Liability | Setup cost | Admin level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Trader | Unlimited | Free | Very low | Freelancers, side projects |
| Ltd Company | Limited | £12 | Medium | Most growing businesses |
| Partnership | Unlimited | Free | Low | 2+ people, low formality |
| LLP | Limited | ~£40 | Medium | Professional services |
| Co-operative | Limited | ~£200 | Medium-high | Community, worker-owned |
| CIC | Limited | £39 | Medium-high | Social enterprises |
⚠️ This is an educational overview only — not legal or financial advice. Consult an accountant or Citizens Advice before making a decision.
From idea to trading business in eight steps. Most can be completed in a single weekend.
Search on Namecheap or 123-reg. Enable WHOIS privacy. Register for 2 years to save on annual renewal fees. Check social media handles match at the same time.
Namecheap.com ↗For WordPress: sign up to SiteGround or WP Engine, use their one-click installer. For eCommerce: start a free Shopify trial at shopify.com. Enable SSL immediately.
Shopify free trial ↗Home, About, Services/Products, Contact, and a Privacy Policy. Use Elementor (WordPress) or the built-in Shopify editor. Don't overthink design — content matters more.
Log into your registrar → update the nameservers to your host's NS addresses. Wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation. Verify at mxtoolbox.com.
Both are free. Google Business Profile gets you on Google Maps. Analytics 4 tells you who's visiting. Search Console shows you what searches find you.
Google Business ↗Sole trader → register with HMRC for Self Assessment (free, 15 mins). Ltd company → register at Companies House (£12, ~24 hours). Or use a formation agent like EAC Business Services.
Register with EAC ↓Sole traders: Self Assessment. Ltd companies: Corporation Tax, then PAYE when you employ someone. Register for VAT when turnover exceeds £90,000 (or voluntarily earlier for B2B credibility).
gov.uk/business-tax ↗If you have a contact form, email sign-up, or use Google Analytics, you're processing personal data. Register with the Information Commissioner's Office — usually £40/year.
ICO Registration ↗EAC Business Services are a Companies House authorised agent (ACSP) that specialise in fast, affordable UK limited company registration — with over 35,000 companies registered.
Authorised by Companies House to file UK limited company formations directly. Get your Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles, company register and share certificates — same day. They also offer registered office addresses, mail forwarding, VAT registration, accountancy and business banking introductions.
Formation Packages
All packages are filed directly at Companies House. Choose based on what extras you need.
How it works — 4 simple steps
Check your name
Use the name check tool to confirm availability at Companies House.
Choose a package
From £7.95 for a basic formation to £99 for a full non-resident package.
Provide details
Directors, shareholders, registered address and business activity — takes 5 minutes.
Filed same day
EAC files directly with Companies House. Certificate within 3–6 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions