How to start a business on a budget

Published 6 August 2025

Advice and support, Thought leadership

Starting a new business can be exciting and rewarding. However, if not properly planned and budgeted for in advance, it can also be a drain on your finances. This is especially the case if you are self-funding the business from savings or a small business loan (known as bootstrapping) instead of securing funding from venture capitalists or other investors.

If you are bootstrapping your business, here are 3 practical tips on how to start a business on a budget.

1. Work out your needs and reduce unnecessary costs

Assuming you’ve already carefully planned and researched your business idea to ensure it is viable and that there is a market for it, the next thing you’ll need to do is assess what you’ll need to actually set it up and run it.

In addition to business tools, equipment, and initial set-up costs, such as regulatory or licensing fees, you’ll also need to know your ongoing overheads, such as material costs, cost of premises (if applicable), inventory, salaries, admin, etc.

In short, you need to know how much you need to generate a profit by taking into account all the costs and expenses you’ll incur running your business.

It’s important during the start-up phase that your business budget is spent wisely.

It may be tempting to spend money on nice-to-haves, but at this stage, you should only buy what you absolutely need. If you need to purchase business tools and equipment, you could consider re-loved or refurbished equipment. Not only will it save you money, but it is a sustainable business option that can go toward your net zero goal.

Also, consider working from home at the start-up phase to lower overheads if you can.

Now is also a good time to be strict with your outgoings and reduce unnecessary expenditures such as pricey subscriptions to services or apps you no longer use.

2. Adopt a low-cost marketing strategy

You’ll need to market your business so people know you exist.

Marketing can take up a huge chunk of a business’s budget, but there are low-cost and free marketing strategies you can use to make your business visible. For an in-depth framework to help you build your own tailored marketing strategy, check out our free Marketing Toolkit.

Online – social media and website

Building a social media presence is low-cost and effective. You can also do this organically instead of using paid advertisements. Research which platforms your ideal clients are using, and start with the one they use the most.

You can then post content to promote your business and also attract your ideal customers with content that interests them and is relevant and helpful.

If you have an SEO-optimised website, you can use it to market your business effectively. Your website doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive, either. There are low-cost and even free options available. If your website isn’t SEO-optimised, do some research into how to optimise it yourself. There are lots of free online resources available from reputable sources like Hubspot to help you do this without having to pay an expert to do it for you.

In addition to showcasing testimonials, products and services on your website, you can start a blog and develop a content marketing strategy to increase website visitors. For example, you can share your helpful SEO-optimised blog content on your social media channels to drive traffic to your website.

Print and out of home

Another low-cost marketing option that may be suitable for your business, is to create and print leaflets at home and distribute them locally by posting through letterboxes, leaving leaflets at suitable venues, and posting them on public noticeboards. These can include a link to your website or social media channels, you could also add a QR code linking to the same.

The personal touch

And don’t forget how effective word of mouth can be, so let all your family, friends and wider network know about your new venture and get them to support you, too.

Finally, adding a personal touch to all your customer interactions can go a long way to building brand loyalty, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. For example, if you sell a product online, you could add a personalised handwritten thank you to the delivery note, or if you do business face to face, provide a simple loyalty card or discount on their next purchase.

All this will go toward building a good reputation, which is invaluable.

3. Make use of free online resources and tools

You can use free online tools to help you manage day-to-day business processes such as invoicing and accounting, project planning, appointment setting, graphic design for content, and many others that are available.

By automating business workflows with free online tools, you are not only saving money but also freeing up your time from tedious admin tasks so you can focus on running a profitable business.

Free online business groups and forums, including those on social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn, are also worth researching. They can connect you with other people in your field or industry and can be powerful networking tools. They can also be a treasure trove of valuable free advice on running your business on a budget.

There may even be collaboration opportunities you can leverage. For example, you can work alongside other businesses to increase your visibility or barter and trade with them for services, to further reduce your overheads.

Support for your small business in Surrey

If you are a Surrey business or looking to relocate to Surrey, you can contact our team of experts for free and accessible advice and support.

Whatever your business, we are here to help you succeed – by providing access to quality resources alongside expert local knowledge and insight.

You can also:

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Heathrow airport expansion plans submitted to government

Published 5 August 2025

Business news

Heathrow Airport expansion plans are now with government. If approved, the privately-financed plans could unlock jobs and growth for Surrey businesses. But there are still concerns around infrastructure, public transport, pollution and noise.

Heathrow submitted its shovel-ready proposals last week (Friday 1 August), promising a third runway and supporting infrastructure can be ready within a decade.

An expanded Heathrow would cost close to £48 billion. Benefits include giving passengers more choice, opening up new routes and increasing capacity. Plus terminals will be more spacious and accessible with flights quicker to take off, thanks to a once-in-a-generation redesign of the airfield.

Once completed, Heathrow says its plans would grow the UK economy by 0.43% GDP – providing jobs to Surrey residents and supply chain opportunities to Surrey businesses.

But there are concerns around the impact it could have on those living nearest, especially noise, pollution and transport connections.

Feedback from the Government is required by September to take the plans forward. Further consultation will follow with a planning application expected to be submitted in 2028.

Heathrow Airport expansion plans – in detail

The blueprint submitted to Government is available on the Heathrow website. It is not a formal planning application. The Heathrow airport expansion plans include:

A north-western runway up to 3,500 metres – a design that already has Parliamentary support
Increased capacity to serve up to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers
A brand-new terminal ‘T5X’, expanding Terminal 2 and three new satellite terminals

The investment consists of three main elements:

£21 billion for the new runway and airfield infrastructure
£12 billion for new terminal and stand capacity – the brand new T5X
£15 billion for modernising the current airport through expanding Terminal 2 and ultimately closing Terminal 3

Heathrow’s proposals include more choice and capacity on public transport. This includes enhanced rail capacity plus walking and cycling routes, reducing local and environmental impacts.

A new road tunnel, plans for two dedicated parkways and improvements to the country’s busiest bus and coach station are also proposed.

Heathrow is also confirming its commitment to reach net zero by 2050. It says it has a deliverable plan to get there, as well as setting targets on noise reduction and air quality.

If the Government implements the necessary policy changes, Heathrow plans to consult with airlines, the local community, local authorities, businesses and others from next year.

A planning application is expected to be submitted in 2028.

Heathrow expansion – impact on Surrey

Heathrow is located to the north of Surrey, neighbouring key towns such as Staines, Egham and Sunbury. It provides employment to thousands of residents and contributes millions to the regional economy.

Heathrow says its expansion plans will offer tens of thousands of employment opportunities during design, construction and operation. It will also unlock lifelong careers for those who live closest.

Meanwhile 40% of the wider supply chain spend will go to companies in London and the South East.

But more flights and a bigger airport means more potential disruption to those living nearest. Noise, emissions and public transport are key concerns.

Heathrow says its noise footprint has reduced by 41% since 2006 and all air quality monitors around the airport are meeting limits. A third runway and redesigned airspace will give communities and passengers more certainty and reliability on flight paths.

For the airport’s nearest neighbours, a community fund is being proposed. And Heathrow says it will continue to engage on how to be a better neighbour to its local community.

Heathrow airport expansion plans – reaction

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:

“It has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow. We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity. With a green light from Government and the correct policy support underpinned by a fit for purpose regulatory model, we are ready to mobilise and start investing this year in our supply chain across the country. We are uniquely placed to do this for the country; it is time to clear the way for take-off.”

A spokesman for Surrey County Council said:

“We recognise the crucial role of Heathrow airport in supporting employment for Surrey residents, generating investment in the Surrey economy and in attracting and retaining major businesses to locate in the county.

“Our goal is to work constructively with the Government, the airport, relevant national agencies and other local authorities on the proposals for a third runway in order to protect and promote the interests of Surrey residents and businesses.

“Despite this, we remain strongly of the view that expansion requires the environmental and surface access issues involved to be satisfactorily addressed.”

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