Build Up Your Business with the Help of Business Credit Cards

How Business Credit Cards Can Build Up Your Business? One of the effective business financing for building business is the business credit card. Find out how using one can help you build up your business credit history.

There are several types of business financing and applying for a business credit card is one of them. For business owners who seek financial assistance, a less complicated process, and a speedier approval, a business credit card is the perfect solution. In this article, let’s talk about how small business credit cards can help build up your business credit history whether it has just been started or on its way to growth.

read more: Build Up Your Business with the Help of Business Credit Cards

Apply for a Business Credit Card even without a Credit History

Applying for a business credit card without a credit history is sometimes difficult to get approved by lenders but there's a chance and it's not too late. The early it is, it is much better. Find out the steps you need to take.

Creditors and investors usually prefer business partners with good to excellent credit history. This is the reason why businesses who haven’t established a credit history are finding it difficult to deal with lenders and investors.

If you are new entrepreneur, you don’t have to worry because has all businesses the chance to build its credit history any time. Below are steps on how to start building your credit history:

Register with a Business Credit Bureau

Having your company registered with a business credit bureau is the first important step you need to do to build a credit history. The country has two (2) major business credit reporting agencies – Dun & Bradstreet and Experian.

Here is how you can apply for business credit from D & B:

1. Visit their official website or you can also call their toll free helpline at 1-800-234-3867.

2. You have to make sure that you have all the necessary information about your company such as your company name, address and contact numbers of your business. Also, they will ask about what type of business you have, the name of the owner/s of the business, the year it was started, the number of employees you have (if any).

3. Once you have finished the registration process, you have to wait for a few days for the business credit application to be completed.

However, If you want to speed up the processing, you can pay $29.99 using your credit card. You will then receive your D & B number in just about ten (10) days.

Apply for a Secured Business Credit Card

Once you are done signing up with a business credit bureau, the next step is to start building a solid credit history for your business or company. The easiest way is to acquire a secured business credit card.

This type of credit card is specifically created for small businesses with no credit history or with bad credit. Credit card companies that offer regular business credit cards usually require good to excellent credit so it is your best option to just apply for a secured business credit card for starters.

Lenders and investors consider business owners with no credit as high risk applicants. Since a secured business credit card applicant is required to submit a security deposit on their account, this will serve as an assurance that in case of default, there are funds that would be available to the credit card issuer.



Credit Cards Resources

* Business Credit Card Reviews
* Reward Credit Cards
* Free Credit Report

Avoiding the Risk of Credit Cards for Small Business

Many financial experts recommend the use of business credit cards for small business entrepreneurs. However, despite the advantages they offer, the success of using business credit cards largely depend on how you utilize your account. In this article, let’s talk about the possible pitfalls that are associated with the incorrect use of business credit cards and how you can avoid them.

Pitfalls of Business Credit Cards

Maxing out your credit. It could be tempting to maximize the use of your credit, particularly if you have a low credit line. Such a habit can pose a great risk because debts can easily pile up in your account until repayment becomes too difficult. Aside from this, maximizing your credit limit can have a negative effect in your credit score. Lenders can instantly consider you as a high risk borrower if your credit history shows that you have the habit of using your credit line to the full.

Charging all your expenses on your business credit card. Because credit cards are so convenient to use, there is also the danger of overspending. In fact, some business owners even charge personal expenses to their business credit cards. This can be a very dangerous habit since it can easily put you in a serious debt situation.

The issue of personal liability. When you apply for a business credit card, there is a statement in your contract that makes you accountable for all debts charged to your business account. This is known as the personal liability statement. Once you sign up for the card, you also agree that you will be responsible to pay for all debts that would be charged to your business credit card. Should you fail to keep up with your payments, your personal credit history is all at stake. Clearly, it is crucial to always be alert on how your business credit card account is used.

Avoid the Pitfalls of Credit Cards for Business

Being aware of the possible dangers on using business credit cards should not at all discourage you from getting one. Instead, it should make you become more responsible and vigilant in managing your credit card account.

One way to reduce the risks is to pay off your balances in full each month. Aside from minimizing the risk of uncontrolled debt, you also avoid unnecessary costs such as the additional interest rates and late penalty charges.

Another vital step in managing business credit cards is to check your account regularly. Examine your monthly billing statements for any errors or unnecessary purchases. This way, you can take the appropriate action immediately and avoid falling in the debt trap.

Make sure that you’ll only use your business credit card exclusively for business expenses. Before charging a purchase, make sure that it’s really important to your business. See to it that you can afford to pay off your charges completely without carrying over your balance for the next month. Finally, submit your credit card payments on time to protect your credit history.


Credit Cards Resources

• Business Credit Card Reviews
• Finance your Business with GREAT Business Credit Cards
• Business Credit Card Articles

Raising Your Personal Credit and Establishing Your Business Credit

If you’re thinking about venturing into business, better check on the status of your personal credit history as well. Although having an excellent personal credit is not a requirement in business, it is definitely an advantage. In what way?

To start a business, you’ll need financing assistance. Regardless of which form of business financing you wish to acquire- whether a business loan, a business credit card, or other financing option, your personal credit history would most likely determine the approval of your application. Obviously, lenders would prefer clients with an impressive personal credit over those with a history of poor credit.

Having an excellent credit score would not only guarantee a quick approval of your loan application, it also opens more doors of opportunities to qualify for loans with lower interest rates and better repayment terms. Although bad credit business loans do exist in the market, they are often accompanied with higher interest rate, lower credit limits, shorter repayment periods and more restrictions.

Build Your Personal Credit to Establish Business Credit

Clearly, building on your personal credit is one way to make things a lot easier for you. Another reason why you should work on raising your credit score is so you can establish your business credit or corporate credit as soon as possible.

Separating your personal credit history from your business credit is a very important issue. Having a corporate credit protects your personal credit history from possible damages that can result if the business you started doesn’t go as well as expected. For instance, if you were late in submitting your payments on your business loan, only your business credit score would suffer. Without a corporate credit, all your business transactions would directly affect your personal credit.

Usually, it takes about two years after establishing your business credit before you can completely separate these two entities. At the start, you’ll have to rely on your personal credit history when applying for business loans or business credit cards. As your business gains its footing however, lenders would begin to recognize your corporate credit history as the basis for their decisions. That’s why it is a must for new business owners to register their businesses with a business credit bureau immediately.

Dun & Bradstreet is the most popular business credit reporting agency in the US. Upon the start of your business, register for your D&B number so you can start building your Paydex Score right away. Just as timeliness of payment plays a major role in building a personal credit score, the same principle also applies to business credit. By staying within your credit limit and paying ALL your creditors on time, you‘ll be building an outstanding credit history for your business.

Building a solid business credit history is a crucial preparation for your company. By the time you’ll need further assistance to finance the growth or expansion of your business, you can be assured that you can get easily approved for business loans that require excellent credit.


Credit Cards Resources

• Business Credit Card Reviews
• Finance your Business with GREAT Business Credit Cards
• Business Credit Card Articles