Want to Find New Businesses
Before Anyone Else?

Finding new clients has never been easy, and for many SMEs it often feels like a constant uphill battle. Hours are spent attending networking events, scrolling through LinkedIn, or purchasing contact lists that promise access to new opportunities. Yet by the time those leads are reached, often it's disappointing, your competitors have already made contact, and you’re left chasing what feels like yesterday’s news.

I’s not just about finding leads. It’s about finding the right leads at the right time. Businesses don’t need more outdated contact lists or another round of cold calls that go nowhere. What they really need is access to fresh business leads, the kind that allow you to reach a company in its very first days of operation, when decisions are being made and supplier relationships are still open to influence.

That’s why tools such as SIC code search and access to daily business leads from Companies House are so vital. They shift the focus away from chasing the same tired prospects everyone else is calling, and instead put you directly in front of businesses that have only just opened their doors.

With the right approach, you can see new companies appear the moment they are registered, filter them by industry or location, and make first contact before anyone else even knows they exist. This is no longer about keeping up with your competitors — it’s about leaving them behind.

Why Timing and First Contact Matters

When a business is first starting out, the early days are critical. Decisions are being made at pace, from which bank account to open, to what software to use, to who they will trust as suppliers. Once those foundations are set, they’re not easily changed. If you miss that moment, you miss the chance to become part of their journey right from the start.

The problem for most SMEs is that they regularly arrive too late. By the time you’ve heard about a new company through word of mouth, or stumbled across them on social media, someone else has already been through the door. Competitors have built the relationship, and you’re left trying to play catch-up.

This is why timing isn’t just important, it’s everything. The difference between reaching a business in its first week and reaching it three months down the line can be the difference between winning a customer for life and never even getting a reply.

Imagine being the first person to send a welcome email to a newly formed law firm, or the first supplier to introduce yourself to a builder who has just gone out on their own. That kind of timing doesn’t just make an impression, it creates loyalty. And loyalty, when built early, often lasts.

Understanding SIC Codes and How Companies House Data Works

If you really want to know how to find new businesses in the UK, the secret lies in something most people overlook the SIC code. That stands for Standard Industrial Classification. Every time a new business is registered at Companies House, it is given one of these codes to show what industry it belongs to. Whether that’s a law firm, an accountant, a builder, or a retailer, the SIC code makes it clear.

Hundreds of new businesses are incorporated across the UK, all neatly tagged with their SIC code evert single day. By using those codes, you can filter and find exactly the kind of clients you want to work with. For example, if you’re a supplier to the construction trade, you don’t need to waste time chasing leads in retail or hospitality. You can simply run a SIC code search and pull back only the businesses that matter to you.

The problem with traditional prospecting is that the data is slow, outdated, and often irrelevant. By the time you buy a list, those leads have already been approached by dozens of other companies. But when you work directly with Companies House data, you’re getting fresh business leads from day one.

Now, here’s the catch. While anyone can look up Companies House records, it’s time-consuming and manual. The real advantage comes from automation. Nexus 360 is one of the only platforms that takes this raw data, runs the SIC code search, and delivers those new client opportunities every day, ready for you to act on.

How to Use SIC Search to Spot Fresh Opportunity

Once you understand how SIC codes work, the next step is knowing how to put them to use. This is where things get exciting, because you can finally stop chasing after stale data and start working with fresh business leads every single day.

With the right system, you can run a SIC code search against Companies House. This allows you to filter by industry. This helps you to focus your efforts on the exact type of clients you want to work with.

For example, imagine you supply software to accountants. You can set up a search that pulls in every brand-new accountancy firm as soon as it’s registered. Or let’s say you provide services to tradespeople, you can target every new construction company in your area before your competitors even know they exist. That’s what prospect targeting really looks like when it’s done properly.

Other Targeting Tactics to Strengthen Your SIC Strategy

The beauty of SIC code search is that it gives you access to fresh business leads from Companies House every single day. But the smartest SMEs don’t stop there. They combine this approach with other prospect targeting tactics to build a stronger, more reliable pipeline of opportunities.

One of the most powerful methods is building a clear ideal client profile. Think about the size of business you want to work with, the industry they’re in, and even the geography you want to cover. By having this mapped out.

Content marketing is another way to complement your SIC strategy. When a new business opportunity is looking for suppliers, the chances are they’ll also be searching online for advice, tools, or guidance. By creating blog posts, guides, or even short videos around your expertise, you increase the likelihood of those fresh businesses finding you, instead of the other way around.

Paid advertising can also play a role, especially platforms like LinkedIn or Google Ads where you can target by job title, location, or search intent. Combine this with your automated lead generation for SMEs, and you’ll have both inbound and outbound strategies working side by side.

And let’s not forget about networks. Start-up hubs, business forums, local chambers, and even accelerator programmes are full of new client opportunities. Engaging in these communities positions you as a trusted expert, not just another salesperson chasing leads.

Outreach Best Practices for New Businesses

Finding fresh business leads through a SIC code search is only the first step. What really matters is how you reach out to those leads. A brand-new business is not like an established one. They don’t yet have set suppliers, so the way you introduce yourself will make all the difference.

The first rule is speed. The sooner you contact a new incorporation, the higher your chance of success. That’s why integrating daily business leads from Companies House directly into your CRM is so powerful you can act the same day, not weeks later. Contacting the new owners within the first 48 hours often sets you apart immediately.

The second rule is relevance. A generic “do you need my service?” message will get ignored. Instead, focus on their stage of growth. If they’ve just registered, they’ll be setting up systems, sorting their finances, and figuring out suppliers. Your outreach should position you as a helpful partner, not just another salesperson. That’s how you turn new client opportunities into long-term relationships.

The third rule is multi-touch. One email won’t cut it. Combine email, LinkedIn, and phone calls for a balanced approach. For example, you might send a short welcome mail on day one, follow up with a LinkedIn connection on day three, and place a friendly call a week later. Done well, this feels supportive rather than pushy.

Finally, remember the human touch. Automation is essential for consistency, but don’t lose the personal element. Mention their industry, congratulate them on their incorporation, and show that you’ve done more than just run a list. That blend of speed, automation, and authenticity is what makes outreach effective.

With this approach, you’re not only learning how to reach new clients before competitors, you’re doing it in a way that earns respect and builds trust from day one.

Tools, Automation and Integration

Access to fresh business leads through a SIC code search is a huge advantage, but let’s be clear: Companies House doesn’t hand you a full contact record with phone number and email attached. What you do get is the company name, registered address, director names, and industry classification. That’s still incredibly powerful, but it means you need a process to turn that raw data into usable leads.

This is where your tools and systems come into play. The first step is a reliable CRM with built-in lead generation tools. By feeding daily business leads from Companies House directly into your CRM, you create a central place to manage and track opportunities. No more scattered spreadsheets or forgotten notes.

From there, you need to enrich the data. This can be done in a few different ways:

• LinkedIn searches: Directors are often easy to find by name and company. Connecting here is quick and personal.

• Email finder tools: Platforms like Hunter, Apollo, or ZoomInfo can help you locate verified contact details.

• Physical outreach: For local trades and smaller businesses, a letter to the registered address can be a powerful first impression, especially when everyone else is blasting emails.

• Social media: Many start-ups set up Facebook, Instagram, or X pages early, and they’re often easier to message directly.

The magic happens when you integrate this enrichment process into your automation. For example, once a new incorporation appears, your CRM can trigger a workflow: add the record, search for LinkedIn matches, assign a task to research contact details, and prepare a welcome message. You’re combining the speed of automation with the accuracy of manual validation.

This daily automation isn’t something you can set up by yourself with Companies House. It’s only available for Nexus 360 subscribers, where SIC search is built into the platform. That means instead of spending hours trawling through records, the opportunities land automatically, ready to be actioned.

Measuring Success and Optimising

Running a SIC code search and feeding daily business leads from Companies House into your CRM is a powerful step forward. But like any strategy, it only works if you measure it. Too many SMEs start with energy, only to lose momentum because they don’t track what’s working.

The first measure to look at is speed of contact. How quickly are you reaching out to those fresh business leads? If it’s more than a few days, you’re missing the point. The biggest advantage of automation is being able to act before your competitors.

Next, track your conversion rate. Out of all the new client opportunities you approach, how many agree to a meeting, request a quote, or buy from you? If the number is low, it might not be the leads — it could be your messaging, timing, or channel.

Don’t forget to measure your cost per acquisition. Buying outdated data lists can be expensive, with little return. In contrast, using SIC search combined with lead generation automation for SMEs is more efficient. But you still need to know the numbers, how much you spend vs. how much revenue those new clients bring in.

Finally, optimise constantly. Refine your SIC filters. Test different outreach methods. Adjust the tone of your first message. The businesses being incorporated today aren’t the same as the ones that appeared last year. The SMEs who thrive are those who track, learn, and adapt their approach over time.

Risks, Compliance and Best Practices

When you’re dealing with fresh business leads, there are important rules to follow. Just because a company has appeared on Companies House data doesn’t mean you can bombard them with unsolicited mails.

The first risk is GDPR compliance. In the UK, you need to ensure you have a lawful basis for processing personal data, including director names and contact information. Cold emailing is possible in some contexts, but only if it’s relevant to their business role and you offer a clear opt-out. Blindly spamming every incorporation could put you on the wrong side of data protection law.

The second risk is reputation. A badly timed or poorly written message could damage your brand more than help it. Remember, these are brand-new businesses. They don’t want to feel hunted; they want to feel supported. A respectful, personalised message builds trust.

Best practice is to use SIC search as a prospect targeting tool, not a shortcut for spam. Start by reaching out via professional platforms like LinkedIn, or by sending a thoughtful welcome letter to the registered address. Use email finder tools responsibly, and always double-check accuracy before you hit send.

Finally, keep your data clean. If a business opts out, remove them. If an email bounces, update your records. A clean system protects your reputation and ensures your lead generation automation delivers real value.

Handled the right way, SIC search is not just a powerful way to find new businesses before anyone else it’s also a professional, compliant method of building relationships from day one.

Be First in Line with Nexus 360

The race for new clients has never been tougher. Traditional prospecting leaves you chasing old leads, wasting time on lists that are out of date before you even pick up the phone. But by tapping into daily business leads from Companies House, filtered by SIC code search, you can finally see where to get fresh business leads the very day they’re registered.

Timing is everything. The difference between reaching a company in its first week and waiting three months could be the difference between winning a customer for life and never getting a reply. That’s why being first matters and that’s why automation is key.

While anyone can browse Companies House, only Nexus 360 subscribers get those new client opportunities delivered automatically every single day. Up-to-date opportunities waiting for you to act on.

So the question is simple: do you want to keep chasing yesterday’s leads, or do you want to be the first person through the door?

If you’re ready to find new businesses before anyone else, book a demo with Nexus 360 today and see how easy it is to stay one step ahead of your competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How quickly do new businesses show up on Companies House?
New businesses usually appear on Companies House data within 24 hours of registration. With Nexus 360’s daily business leads feed, you’ll see them automatically the very next day.

2. Can I get the email address or phone number straight away?
No. Companies House provides the company name, SIC code, registered address, and directors’ names but not direct contact details. Nexus 360 subscribers use enrichment tools like LinkedIn, email finders, or even physical letters to turn this raw data into usable fresh business leads.

3. How many new businesses are registered each day?
It varies, but across the UK there are usually thousands of new incorporations daily. By using a SIC code search, you can filter down to just the industries and regions that matter to you.

4. Is it legal to contact new businesses from Companies House data?
Yes, but you must follow GDPR and data protection rules. Outreach must be relevant to their business role, and you must always provide an opt-out. That’s why we recommend thoughtful, personalised outreach, not bulk spam.

5. What’s the best way to reach a new business?
It depends on the industry. For professional services like accountants or law firms, LinkedIn is often the quickest way to connect. For trades and local companies, a physical welcome letter can stand out. And in all cases, enriching the record with an accurate email address ensures your message lands in the right place.

6. Why not just buy a data list?
Because most lists are already outdated by the time you buy them. SIC search gives you new client opportunities at the point of incorporation. You’re not chasing the same tired leads as everyone else, you’re starting fresh.

7. Is SIC search something I can set up myself?
Not in an automated way. You can manually check Companies House, but it’s time-consuming and inefficient. Only Nexus 360 subscribers get the advantage of an automated SIC code search, with daily updates.

8. How do I know if SIC search will work for my business?
If your clients are SMEs, whether they’re in construction, legal, retail, or professional services - the answer is yes. Being the first to reach them gives you an advantage in almost any sector.