Online export guidance for small firms

Start-ups, online sellers and small firms that want clear guidance but cannot afford a long consultancy project, and sometimes local business groups that book you to run a session.

Ticket fees for group workshops, fixed prices for one-to-one advice calls, and fees from business groups or trade bodies for hosted sessions.

• Knowledge of customs and trade processes
• Teaching and presenting online
• Writing clear guides and checklists
• Marketing yourself to small businesses

• Professional indemnity insurance, as people may act on what you teach
• Make clear that workshops are general guidance, and keep content up to date with official GOV.UK rules
• Check data protection obligations if you collect attendee details, including whether you need to register with the ICO
• Attendance can be hard to build at first, so allow time for marketing

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your website, software and how much marketing you do. These are estimates, so build your own budget around the workshops and guides you plan to offer.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on how many workshops and advice sessions you sell and what you charge. These are estimates only, and attendance can be hard to build at first, so allow time for marketing.

Check that you have professional indemnity insurance, as people may act on what you teach. Make clear that workshops are general guidance, keep content up to date with official GOV.UK rules, and check data protection duties, including whether you need to register with the ICO.