Hi Emma: You may not need a business license per se because you will be working from home. But, you may still want to register a business name so that you can accept checks and get a merchant account (or PayPal account) under your business name. Here in the US, we have something called a DBA (doing business as) so that you can have people write checks to your business. You will also have to register to collect and pay taxes. Since you're in the UK, I think the best place for you to start would be here: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk. It's a website that runs in partnership with the UK government and can provide you with all kinds of services. They also provide phone support - 'You can access local advice and support online, by phone and face-to-face from regional Business Link operators across England.' They have a start up section here that has a lot of information about taxes. For your specific question about registration, however, you should look at this section which discusses legal entities. Finally, take a look at the HM Revenue & Customs website. They have a lot information regarding starting your business. Specifically, you may want to take a look at the SE1 - Thinking of working for yourself? booklet, which is toward the bottom of the page. Best of luck! ~~~~~~

Thank you for all the great information hostingdiva! emmacraig, If you are planning to start a business in the US, which state are you planning to do so in? Check out this guide for 10 steps to starting a business and our State Guides for licenses and permits particular to each state. Also feel free to use the Permit Me Tool. Are you a foreign national? If so, please read our blog on Starting a Business in the U.S. as a Foreign National for more information.