The final semester of university is a time when many people start to consider what their life will be after university.
For some it’s getting a job doing what they’ve studied.
For others it’s a time to relax.
And for a small group, it’s a life of entrepreneurship and starting their own business doing what they love.
How to get your business started after university – the complete checklist
Do you know what steps you need to take to get your business off the ground? Don’t worry if you don’t know just yet, the below guide will help guide you through the steps to get your business started.
We’ve built this guide built on our own team’s experience starting businesses after university. This easy to follow guide will take you through the set-up process and help you set up your business for success.
Step 1. Have you got what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
We’ve created a quiz to look at your personality, drive, and give you an idea of if you have what it takes to succeed. Take the quiz above and find out if you’re ready to take the step into entrepreneurship when you graduate.
Remember that many different types of people become entrepreneurs, and nobody starts off as the perfect businessperson!
Step 2. Have you checked your eligibility for graduate funding?
Yes I've spoken to my university about this
Brilliant
If you're looking for a loan to get started make sure you look at the Princes Trust and Virgin Startup Loans.
I haven't had a look yet, but I need some seed funding
Funding for university entrepreneurs
If you can't get a grant then bootstrap as much as you can.
From mentorship to graduate grants, your university should be one of your first ports of call when you’re starting up.
Step 3. HAVE YOU CREATED A BUSINESS PLAN?
Yes I'm straight out of dissertations, so creating a business plan was easy
Brilliant
Always a good idea to ask your family or friends to read it to make sure they can easily grasp your plan
I still need to put together a plan
Creating a start-up business plan
Remember that your business plan should change organically.
Although sometimes seen as an outdated practice, creating a business plan will help you articulate exactly how you are going to make money. A business plan is essential if you are looking to secure funding.
Step 4. Have you chosen a name for your business?
Yes I've chosen a name for my creation
Brilliant
Add a ™ to alert the public to your claim of ownership of your name when creating your logo.
I still need to choose my name
How to choose a business name
Remember the name is only a small part of your success, so don't fret.
Deciding on a name for your business can be one of the most exciting parts of starting your business. Remember though that a name is only part of your success and a great name will not guarantee success so don’t worry too much about selecting an amazing name.
Step 5. Have you registered a domain name?
Yes I've registered my website address
Brilliant
Make sure you register several domain name extensions (.de, .fr, etc) for when you go global!
I need to register the domain name for my empire
Registering an available domain
With 20+ years of the internet, finding a domain name can be tricky.
Depending on the type of business you’re starting, selecting a name for your business might be intrinsically tied to being able to register an accompanying domain name. We’re now 25 years into registering domain names on the internet so this might mean you have to compromise on your domain name with either a unique domain extension like .co or by adding a word to your domain like my[yourdomain] or weare[yourdomain].
Step 6. Have you decided on a business structure?
Yes, I know which structure will benefit my business
Brilliant
Just make sure you understand the implications of all types.
I haven't decided yet
Choosing a business structure
What your business does can help you decide the structure
Sole trader, partnership, limited company or LLP? When you need to keep costs to a minimum there is a case to be made for being a sole trader initially and converting to a limited company later. However starting out as a limited company will make your company look more professional and is probably the way to go if you’re serious about growing the business.
Step 7. Have you had a logo designed for your business?
Yes, I've thought all about the logo and have had one made
Brilliant
Make sure the logo isn't infringing on any copyrights though.
I haven't thought about a logo yet
Designing a logo
Your logo should subtly represent your business' aims and identity
Once you’ve decided on your business name and secured your domain name, it’s time to get your logo designed. Prices can range from $5 on Fiverr or £150 on 99Designs all the way into the thousands. Our business was launched with a logo designed from 99Designs.
Step 8. Have you decided on your marketing plan?
Yes, I know how I'm going to market my business
Brilliant
Remember to make sure it suits the type of people you'll be marketing it to.
I don't know how I'm going to market it yet
Marketing your business
Marketing your business well will help people find out it exists
Efficiently and profitably finding paying customers will be critical to your success. How you will do this should be outlined in a marketing plan.
Step 9. Have you set up your record keeping?
Yes, my accounts and records are all sorted
Brilliant
Try to explore all the options before deciding - it might be easier to use an accountant
I haven't thought about accounts
Accounts and bookkeeping
Keeping good records will ensure you know where your business is at.
In the rush to get off the ground, bookkeeping often gets relegated to the bottom of the startup to do list. However with the right system in place you will be thankful further down the line that you have kept the books efficiently from the beginning.
Becoming an entrepreneur can be a great journey, learning about the world of business whilst being your own boss and following your own path. If you’d like to learn about other graduate entrepreneurs, you can read our interview with Greg McClarnon of Splaat Media, or read some more tips from four graduate business owners (including our own CMO Jonathan Russell.