Are Online HR Services Right for Your UK Small Business?

If you run a small business, HR can feel like a hassle, time-consuming, risky and often reactive. That’s why more UK employers are turning to online HR services. But what do they really offer and are they a smart investment for your business? 

Let’s break it down. 

What Are Online HR Services? 

Online HR services give you access to professional HR support, tools and templates through a digital platform, often with flexible pricing and no long-term contracts. They’re ideal for businesses that: 

• Don’t have an in-house HR team 
• Want to handle day-to-day HR in-house but with confidence 
• Need expert help for trickier issues like disciplinaries, absences, or redundancies 
• These services typically include editable templates and policies, compliance checklists, on-demand HR advice, online training or manager guides 

The Benefits for Small UK Businesses 

• Affordable & Scalable: No need to hire a full-time HR manager. Online services are usually subscription-based and cost-effective. 
• Always Up to Date: HR laws change regularly (especially in the UK). Online platforms often include real-time updates, so you stay compliant. 
• Easy Access to Templates & Tools: Need a disciplinary letter or updated contract template? Get it instantly without searching online or paying a solicitor. 
• Supports Confident Decision-Making: Online HR services help you make informed choices and avoid knee-jerk reactions that lead to risk. 
• Saves Time: Everything’s in one place, so you’re not reinventing the wheel each time an HR issue crops up. 

What to Look for in an Online HR Service 

Not all platforms are created equal. Look for one that offers: 

• UK-specific templates (not just generic downloads) 
• Clear, plain English guidance for busy business owners 
• Support for the whole employee journey from hiring to exiting 
• Help that fits your business size (i.e., doesn’t assume you have an HR department) 
• Expert advice on tricky issues, not just document downloads 

When Online HR Isn’t Enough 

There may be times when you need 1:1 support, for example, a serious disciplinary or grievance, redundancy situations, TUPE transfers or reorganisations.  

The best online HR platforms give you guidance for the day-to-day but also the option to get direct help when needed. 

Why Dakota Blue Academy Is Designed for Small Businesses 

At Dakota Blue Academy, we combine expert HR templates, manager guides and compliance tools, all built for UK businesses with under 50 employees.  

You get instant access to easy-to-edit templates, straightforward guidance tailored to UK law, manager toolkits to help you handle real situations, not just theory and optional access to professional HR consultants when things get complex.  

Ready to simplify HR?  

Subscribe to Dakota Blue Academy today and get online HR support designed for small businesses, confidence in your compliance and documentation and time-saving, stress-busting resources you can actually use. HR doesn’t have to be hard and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Let’s make it manageable.