Starting up a business will inevitably require different costs as there are so many variables to be taken into account. There are, however, simple guidelines that can be followed that will help you to keep costs under control. If you have more ideas then we'd love to hear them!

• It's all about the money, and so always keep a tight rein on it. This means watching every single penny and treating it like your last. This way you will question every expenditure and decide if it's something you really need in order to take the business forward or whether it's a luxury that can be saved for when more money is coming in.
• In the same way you also need to keep a very close eye on your cashflow and forecast. By reporting on your cash daily or weekly there won't be any unpleasant surprises down the line and you can deal with problems as they arise.
• To make this easier have everything going through one person. They will have all the financial information at their fingertips and will be able to manage your business's expenditures with a full understanding of the cashflow.

Send invoices immediately - Why wait until the end of the month to send invoices when you can invoice as soon as a job is completed. If you wait 15 days to invoice you've already lost 15 days when you could have had the money in your account. Businesses need to be paid as soon as possible, so why wait unnecessarily.

Using online software – The benefit of online software to send invoices is that you can invoice your customers when ever and where ever. In addition, you have the security that all your invoicing information is safe and secure.

Provide a detailed description - All invoices provide a field to write a description of the work you are invoicing for. Not only does fully completing this give customers a feeling of value for money, but it can prevent payment disputes - whether to simply delay payment or due to confusion over what is being invoiced for.