What Details Must a UK Business Show on Its Digital Business Card?
Short answer
UK companies and LLPs must show their registered name, registered number, registered office and place of registration on websites and business documents. Sole traders and partnerships using a business name must show the owners’ names and an address for service. Put these details in your profile’s Details section, plus a VAT number if registered.
Digital Business Cards UK Editorial Team — Buying in the UK
Digital Business Cards UK Editorial Team · Published · Updated
A digital business card often becomes the first place a customer checks who you are. That makes it worth getting your business details right. UK law sets out what companies and other businesses must show on websites and business documents, and a profile that represents your business online is close to both.
This guide explains the main rules in plain English and shows where to put the details on your profile. It covers limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and sole traders.
It is general. If you are unsure what applies to you, ask your accountant or a solicitor.
For the general buying checks, start with our UK buyer's guide to digital business cards.
Why customers check
Before someone places an order, signs a contract or pays a deposit, they often want to know who they are dealing with. A full business name, a registered number and a real address are simple signals that you are a genuine business.
Customers can look up a limited company or LLP on the Companies House register. Suppliers check before giving credit. Larger clients may ask for these details before adding you to their supplier list. A profile that already shows them saves everyone a step.
The rules in brief
Two pieces of law matter most:
- The Companies Act 2006. Part 41 covers business names, including the details sole traders and partnerships must show when they trade under a business name. You can read Part 41 on legislation.gov.uk.
- The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015. These set out what companies and LLPs must show, and where. You can read the 2015 Regulations on legislation.gov.uk.
GOV.UK and Companies House explain both in plain language. The two most useful pages are signs, stationery and promotional material for limited companies and Companies House's guide to incorporation and names.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Limited companies
GOV.UK says a company must include its name on all company documents, publicity and letters. On business letters, order forms and websites, it must also show:
- the company's registered number;
- its registered office address;
- where it is registered: England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland;
- the fact that it is a limited company, usually by using its full name including "Limited" or "Ltd".
If you choose to show directors' names, you must list all of them. If you show share capital, you must say how much is paid up.
LLPs
Limited liability partnerships follow very similar rules to companies under the 2015 Regulations. Show:
- the LLP's full registered name, including "LLP" or "Limited Liability Partnership";
- its registered number;
- its registered office address;
- where it is registered.
Companies House's incorporation and names guide covers the disclosure rules.
Sole traders using a business name
A sole trader can trade under their own name or a business name. GOV.UK's guide to choosing your business name says you must include your name and your business name, if you have one, on official paperwork such as invoices and letters.
If you use a business name, GOV.UK's guide to what invoices must include also says sole trader invoices must show an address where legal documents can be delivered to you.
A sole trader's name must not include "Limited", "Ltd", "LLP" or "plc".
Partnerships
A general partnership that trades under a business name follows the business name rules in Part 41 of the Companies Act 2006. In general, that means showing the partners' names and an address in the UK where documents can be served. Large partnerships have some alternative options. Check the Act or ask your adviser.
Business type vs required details
| Business type | Details to show on websites and business documents |
|---|---|
| Limited company | Registered name (with Ltd or Limited), registered number, registered office address, place of registration |
| LLP | Registered name (with LLP), registered number, registered office address, place of registration |
| Sole trader using a business name | Your own name, the business name and an address for service |
| Partnership using a business name | Partners' names and an address for service (alternatives for large partnerships) |
| Any VAT-registered business | VAT number on VAT invoices; many also show it on their website |
This table is a summary. Check the official guidance for the full rules and exceptions.
The VAT number
If your business is VAT-registered, your VAT registration number must appear on VAT invoices you issue. There is no general rule that it must appear on a website or business card, but many businesses show it so customers and suppliers can check it.
If you show it on your profile, copy it exactly from your VAT registration. Our guide to digital business card VAT and expenses covers VAT on the purchase itself.
Where to put these details on your profile
A digital business card has sections you control. The details above fit best in a few places.
- Details. Your business name, registered number, registered office address and place of registration. This is the section people check first.
- Contact Display. Choose which details are public. For example, show a business phone and email but keep a personal mobile private.
- Visibility & Order. Keep the legal details visible, but you can move them below your services if you prefer.
- Documents. Add your terms of business as a PDF if customers ask for them.
- Links. Link to your website's legal or "About" page, where the same details appear.
Keep the profile and your website identical. If you move your registered office, update both on the same day.
A sample layout
For a limited company:
- Name and role: "[Your name], Director"
- Company: "Example Trading Limited"
- Registered in England and Wales, company number shown in full
- Registered office: the full address
- VAT number, if registered
- Business phone and email
- Link to the company website
For a sole trader with a business name:
- Name: your own name
- Trading as: your business name
- Address for service
- Business phone and email
These are illustrative layouts, not real businesses.
Keeping details consistent across channels
Your business details appear in many places: your website, invoices, email signature, social profiles and now your digital business card. They should match everywhere.
- Keep one master copy of your legal details in a document you control.
- Update every channel on the same day when something changes.
- Check the profile after a move of registered office or a change of company name.
- Review once a year, even if nothing has changed, to catch mistakes.
Because the profile is one link, you only need to edit it once. Every link and QR code you have already shared shows the update.
Common mistakes
- Using a trading name only. A limited company should show its full registered name.
- Leaving out the registered number. It is one of the easiest details to forget.
- An old address. A registered office change must be reflected everywhere.
- "Ltd" on a sole trader's card. This is not allowed.
- Different details on the website and the profile. Customers notice.
Charities
Charities that are also companies show their company details as well as their registered charity status. Our guide for UK charities explains how to show your charity number and donation links.
Regulated professions
Some professions have extra rules on top of these. Solicitors, for example, must follow SRA rules on the information they publish. Our guide for UK solicitors explains what to put on a solicitor's profile.
Choosing a plan
Both plans are a single payment in pounds with UK VAT included, and both include Details, Contact Display, Visibility & Order and Documents. Brand Presence costs £45 and Business Add-ons costs £90.
Start on the online business card page if you mostly share by link.
Frequently asked questions
Does a limited company have to show its company number on a digital business card?
On websites and business documents, companies must show their registered number, registered office and place of registration. A profile that represents your company online is close to both, so the safe approach is to show them. This is general information, not legal advice.
What must a sole trader show?
Your own name and your business name if you use one, plus an address where legal documents can be delivered on official paperwork such as invoices.
Do I need to show my VAT number?
It must appear on VAT invoices. There is no general rule for websites or business cards, but many businesses show it.
Where on the profile should these details go?
In the Details section, which people check first. Use Contact Display to choose which contact details are public.
Do I have to list all my directors?
Only if you choose to name directors. If you name any, you must name all of them.
What about LLPs and partnerships?
LLPs follow rules similar to companies. Partnerships using a business name generally show the partners' names and an address for service.