Build Business Credit Like a Pro

You Need Business Credit to Get Business Loans and Business Credit Cards

If you are like most small business owners, you want to build business credit for your company and get small business loans and business credit cards when you need them. To build business credit means less risk for you as the owner of the business.

Building Business Credit Requires Effort

There is effort involved when you decide to build business credit. Start taking the steps to build business credit from the get-go. This way, you won’t find yourself without a strong business credit profile even if your business is thriving. There is a lot of hype regarding the need to build business credit for business loans and business credit cards that says personal credit does not matter.

It’s true that when you build business credit, you separate your business credit from your personal credit, but it does help to have strong personal credit as well. The more solid you are on your feet with personal credit, the more effective you will be when you build business credit. Credit protection laws vary between personal and business credit, so it’s important to understand the differences when you begin to build business credit when you need business credit cards. A good rule of thumb to follow is simply this – repair your personal credit along with the efforts you are making to build business credit.

Create a Proper Business Structure

As you begin to build business credit, set up your business structure properly with the state and get all the necessary licensing. When you build business credit you will need a business phone listed in the telephone directory under the business name.

Buying products or services from companies that report your payment history to Dunn & Bradstreet and Experian will help you build business credit. Don’t be discouraged by the best business credit score being reserved for the “big guys” when you build business credit.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Maintain your focus and you will build business credit that has enough impact to catch the interest of private commercial lenders. Beware of loan fraud when you build business credit – a legitimate underwriter will not charge you a fee upfront to connect you with a business loan lender. There may be fees for other services involved when you build business credit, but not for that. Good business credit cannot be “bought.”