What Every New Company Needs in Its First 30 Days

When a new limited company is incorporated at Companies House, the clock starts ticking immediately. There are legal obligations to fulfil, practical necessities to arrange, and business essentials to set up — most of which need to happen within the first 30 days.

If you're a B2B service provider, understanding this checklist is critical. Each item on it represents a genuine, time-sensitive need — and an opportunity to win a new customer at the exact moment they're making buying decisions.

1. An accountant

Urgency: Immediate

This is often the very first professional service a new company director seeks. The reasons are practical and pressing:

• Corporation Tax registration with HMRC must be completed within three months of starting to trade
• The company's annual accounts must be filed within 9 months of the accounting reference date
• If the company expects turnover above £90,000, VAT registration is required
• Directors paying themselves need to understand the most tax-efficient salary and dividend structure
• If employing staff, PAYE registration and payroll setup are needed

Most first-time directors don't have the knowledge to handle these obligations alone. A good accountant is not a luxury — it's a necessity. The average fees for a small limited company accounting package range from £800 to £2,000 per year, making this a high-value, recurring revenue opportunity.

2. A business bank account

Urgency: Immediate

A limited company is a separate legal entity from its directors. Mixing personal and company finances is not just bad practice — it can jeopardise the limited liability protection that is the entire point of incorporating.

New directors need to open a dedicated business bank account to receive customer payments, pay suppliers, issue director loans and dividends properly, and maintain clear financial records.

The business banking market has diversified significantly in recent years. Traditional banks like Barclays, HSBC, and NatWest compete with digital challengers like Starling, Tide, and Revolut Business. Most offer free banking for 12-18 months to attract new companies, making early customer acquisition fiercely competitive.

3. Business insurance

Urgency: Before trading begins

The insurance requirements for a new company depend on its sector, but common policies include:

Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for any company with employees. Fines for non-compliance are £2,500 per day. Many clients and contracts also require proof of public liability and professional indemnity cover before work can begin.

For insurance brokers, new company incorporations represent a constant stream of prospects who need cover immediately and haven't yet chosen a provider.

4. A website

Urgency: First 2-4 weeks

In 2025, a business without a website barely exists. Even for companies that operate primarily through word of mouth or direct relationships, a professional web presence provides credibility when potential customers search for the company name, a platform for explaining services and pricing, and a contact point for enquiries.

The web design market for new businesses ranges from £500 for a simple brochure site to £5,000+ for a custom-designed site with e-commerce or booking functionality. For web agencies, new company directors represent ideal clients — they need a site built from scratch with a clear brief and a defined budget.

5. Phone and broadband

Urgency: Immediate (if premises-based)

Companies operating from dedicated premises need business-grade broadband and phone services. Even home-based businesses often want a dedicated business phone number to maintain professionalism and separate work from personal life.

VoIP providers like RingCentral, 8x8, and Vonage have made business telephony accessible and affordable, with plans starting from £10-15/month per user. Business broadband packages from BT Business, Virgin Media Business, and others start from around £25-40/month.

6. A registered office address

Urgency: At incorporation (but often changed afterwards)

Every UK company must have a registered office address, which is displayed publicly on the Companies House register. Many new companies initially use their director's home address but later switch to a virtual office or serviced address for privacy and professionalism.

Virtual office services — providing a business address, mail forwarding, and sometimes a phone answering service — typically cost £15-50/month. This is a competitive market with providers like Hoxton Mix, Your Virtual Office London, and Regus all targeting new companies.

7. HMRC registrations

Urgency: Within 3 months of trading

While not a "purchasable" service in itself, HMRC registrations drive demand for accountancy services. A new company needs to:

• Register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting to trade
• Register for VAT if expected turnover exceeds £90,000 (or voluntarily if below)
• Register as an employer for PAYE if taking on staff
• Register for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) if operating in construction

Most directors delegate these registrations to their accountant, which is another reason why the accountant relationship is typically the first professional service secured.

8. Legal essentials

Urgency: First 1-3 months

Depending on the nature of the business, a new company may need:

• Terms and conditions for customer contracts
• Privacy policy and GDPR compliance documentation
• Employment contracts if hiring staff
• Shareholder agreements if there are multiple owners
• Intellectual property protection (trademarks, patents)

Solicitors, legal tech platforms (like Rocket Lawyer or LawBite), and contract template providers all serve this market.

Why this matters for B2B sellers

The critical takeaway is this: every one of these needs exists from day one. A company that incorporated yesterday needs an accountant, insurance, a bank account, and a website. They haven't yet chosen providers for any of these services.

This creates a unique window of opportunity. The B2B providers who reach new companies first — within the first days and weeks of incorporation — have a massive advantage over those who wait.

At roughly 2,500 new incorporations per working day, that's 2,500 new potential customers entering the market every day, each with a shopping list of essential services. The question is whether you can reach them before they make their choices.

Key takeaways

New companies have immediate, non-negotiable needs including accountancy, insurance, banking, and web presence. Each need represents a time-sensitive sales opportunity for B2B service providers. The first provider to reach a new director often wins the business — loyalty is established early. Over 2,500 companies are incorporated daily, creating a constant, replenishing pipeline of prospects. Tools like NewCo Data let you access this pipeline with daily, sector-filtered lead reports delivered to your inbox.