How to use a trading name the right way as self employed?

[Deleted member 25779]

Hello,

I am having some issues with what I can and cannot do with a trading name.

For example, in the privacy policy of term of use of a website, can I say "website xyz is allowed to shut down your account if...." or do I need to add my trading name?

If my trading name is being used anywhere on the website, do I still need to show my real name? I do not really want to show my identity on the net to be honest.

Finally, if you license something, ie: a music for a video but the buyer buys it from your website, would the licensor become the trading name or the real person behind the trading name?

I am just confused about why do we have trading names if we have to show our identity all the time on the same paper.


Thank you,

Ben

 

[StevensOnln1]

If you are a sole trader you must disclose your own name alongside your trading name e.g. Mr J Smith trading as Smith Enterprises

 

[DontAsk]

A trading name can be much more memorable that John Smith for example, ir avoid confusion with someone of the same name.

You must show full contact details (e.g., not just a PO box number) on your website. I personally will not go anywhere near any goods or services from a website which does not comply with the various rules and regulations regarding knowing who the business is.

 

[Bruno Domingues]

Trading standards has information about this, if you have a limited company your identity is protected since you use the company details rather than your own.

A sole trader needs to always show full contact information to clearly identify yourself to your potential buyers. Also most buyers won't trust a site that has no contact information.

You'll be fine, besides telemarketing calls which you can block by adding yourself to the national no call list, nothing else is likely to happen. I've been in business for 11 years and even though I have a company, in the contact page of my website I have my own contact details (not my home address of course).

Since I work mostly from home and while travelling (I have clients all over the world), I initially chose renting a virtual office address and use it as my business registered office. Now I actually use that address as an office sometimes, when I have appointments.

There's plenty of business address companies and you can get a business address for as low as £100/year. Just search for "virtual office address in ......" and put your town name. Sometimes local council also offers this service.

 

[paulears]

If I could block telemarketers I would, but none of my attempts top stop it work, as new ones call me all the time. Hate it!

 

[Bruno Domingues]

You can register your number in the Telephone Preference Service, it has a period until it becomes officially binding of about 1 month, after this period if you get an unsolicited call from a telemarketer they're liable for a heavy fine, I think the fines start from £5000.

By law telemarketers need to check the phone number against the TPS database before calling.

There's the same regulation for junk mail (not e-mail). You can also register your address and you'll stop receiving promotional junk in your post.

 

[DontAsk]

You can register your number in the Telephone Preference Service, it has a period until it becomes officially binding of about 1 month, after this period if you get an unsolicited call from a telemarketer they're liable for a heavy fine, I think the fines start from £5000.

It's useless for all the calls from outside the UK, which are the real problem.

 

[Bruno Domingues]

I used to get them from UK as well, now I don't. Can't eliminate 100% but less is better than more.

Try to sell the telemarketers something, that will get them off you.

 

[Tom Smart]

If you are a sole trader trading under a different name. There isn't a company, it's just you trading under a different name. So you are personally responsible for the business. If you form a limited company it is a completely separate entity to yourself. Gives you a little more indemnity, but a lot more work. You don't need to doing anything drastic to inform customers. Just sign letters T/A 'business name'. Put a small line at the bottom of your website and e-mail signature/ footer. All reasonable steps to inform the customer.

 

[Bruno Domingues]

Do keep in mind a limited company has a lot more credibility than a Sole Trader plus you can claim more expenses with a company than you can as a sole trader, not to mention protection from personal liability in case business goes bad and you're not able to pay your suppliers.

Of course if your turnover is only £10000/year then there's no point in making a company but if your turnover is over £40000/year and you expect it to grow, I think it is advisable to have a company. Depends on the exact circumstances and how many customers you have.

 

[Tom Smart]

Do keep in mind a limited company has a lot more credibility than a Sole Trader plus you can claim more expenses with a company than you can as a sole trader, not to mention protection from personal liability in case business goes bad and you're not able to pay your suppliers.

Of course if your turnover is only £10000/year then there's no point in making a company but if your turnover is over £40000/year and you expect it to grow, I think it is advisable to have a company. Depends on the exact circumstances and how many customers you have.

Totally agree with this statement. Had I known I would have been limited/ VAT registered from day one.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

.....

Of course if your turnover is only £10000/year then there's no point in making a company ......

I disagree, it very much depends on the individuals circumstances, for someone with other income it can actually still be a big tax saving.

 

[Bruno Domingues]

There are always exceptions logically.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

There are always exceptions logically.

I wouldn't say exceptions, each case really does have to be considered based on the individuals circumstances.