Build Business Credit in 30 Days

Have you ever wondered; how long does it take to build credit? You, too, can build business credit in 30 days! Here’s how and why.

Building better business credit means that your small business gets chances you never felt that you would. You can get brand-new equipment, bid on buildings, and cover the company payroll. And you can do so even when times are a bit lean. This is specifically helpful in seasonal businesses. That is because you can go for calendar months with just hardly any sales.

Due to this, you need to tackle growing your company credit. Enhance and maintain your scores and you will have these chances. Do not, and either you do not get these business opportunities, or they will set you back you a lot more. And no business owner wants that.

You will need to understand what affects your small business credit before you can make it better.

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: Credit History Length Is Vital

This is in a nutshell how long your business has been making use of company credit. Obviously newer businesses will have short credit histories. While there is not too much you can specifically do about that, do not fret.

Credit reporting agencies will also look into your personal credit score and your very own background of payments. If your own personal credit is good, and in particular if you have a fairly extensive credit history, then your individual credit can come to the rescue of your company. That is, you did not just get your very first credit card not too long ago.

Obviously, the opposite is also true. Hence, if your private credit history is poor, then it will have a bearing on your business credit scores until your business and personal credit can be split.

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: The Best Way to Build Credit is to Tame Your Utilization Percentage

Your credit utilization rate just means the amount of cash you have on credit. So it is then divided by your total available credit. Lenders typically do not like to see this go above 30%. Therefore, for each $100 in credit, do not borrow on more than $30 of that.

If this percent is climbing, you’ll need to spend down. And work off your financial obligations prior to borrowing more.

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: Your Payment History Truly Matters

Late repayments will affect your company credit score for a good seven years. If you pay your business (and personal) debts off, as quickly as possible and as fully as possible, guess what happens? That is when you can make a very real difference when it relates to your credit scores.

Make sure to pay on schedule and you will reap the rewards of promptness.

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: Your Personal Credit Can Affect Your Business Credit

A bad business year could wind up on your personal credit score. And just in case your small business has not been around for too long, it will directly have an effect on your biz credit.  But you can still start building business credit with bad personal credit.

Fortunately, you can unlink them both by taking steps to uncouple them. As an example, you can get credit cards solely for your business, or you open up business checking accounts and other bank accounts (or even get a business loan). And then the credit reporting bureaus will start to treat your private and corporate credit separately.

Also, make sure to incorporate. Or at least file a DBA (doing business as) status.

You can also pay for your company’s invoices with your business credit card or checking account. And make certain it is the company’s full name on the bill and not your own. This is how to build credit with a credit card.

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: The Credit Reporting Bureaus Can Just Plain Get It Wrong

Are you asking yourself: how to fix my credit in 30 days? Just the same as each and every organization out there, credit reporting agencies just like Equifax and Experian are only as good as their data. If your firm’s name is similar to another’s, or your name is a lot like another company owner’s, there can potentially be some oversights.

So keep an eye on those reports, and your company report at Dun & Bradstreet, PAYDEX. Remain on top of these reports and challenge charges with records and crystal clear communications. Do not just allow them to stay wrong! You can fix credit in 30 days!

And while you’re at, it you should also be monitoring the credit reporting bureau which just handles personal and not company credit. So, that is TransUnion. If you do not know the way to pull a credit report, do not worry. It’s simple. It’s how to fix credit score in 30 days.

And say fix my credit in 30 days!

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: The Method

Business credit is credit in a small business’s name. It doesn’t attach to a business owner’s personal credit, not even if the owner is a sole proprietor and the solitary employee of the business.

Because of this, an entrepreneur’s business and personal credit scores can be very different. Build business credit because it can only help your business. And it can be how to start a business in 30 days.

The Benefits

Considering that company credit is separate from consumer, it helps to secure a small business owner’s personal assets, in the event of court action or business bankruptcy.

Also, with two distinct credit scores, a small business owner can get two separate cards from the same merchant. This effectively doubles buying power.

Another advantage is that even startup ventures can do this. Going to a bank for a business loan can be a recipe for disappointment. But building business credit, when done correctly, is a plan for success.

Personal credit scores rely on payments but also various other elements like credit usage percentages.

But for business credit, the scores actually merely depend on whether a company pays its debts punctually.

The Process

Building company credit is a process, and it does not occur automatically. A company needs to proactively work to develop business credit.

Nevertheless, it can be done easily and quickly, and it is much speedier than developing individual credit scores.

Merchants are a big aspect of this process.

Carrying out the steps out of order will result in repetitive rejections. Nobody can start at the top with business credit. For instance, you can’t start with store or cash credit from your bank. If you do you’ll get a rejection 100% of the time.

Company Legitimacy

A business needs to be reliable to lending institutions and vendors.

Therefore, a business will need a professional-looking web site and e-mail address. And it needs to have site hosting from a company such as GoDaddy.

In addition, business telephone and fax numbers ought to have a listing on ListYourself.net.

In addition, the business phone number should be toll-free (800 exchange or similar).

A company will also need a bank account dedicated only to it, and it needs to have every one of the licenses essential for running.

Licenses

These licenses all must be in the accurate, correct name of the company. And they need to have the same company address and phone numbers.

So bear in mind, that this means not just state licenses, but possibly also city licenses. Licenses are vital when you need to score small business funding.

Get awesome funding with our foolproof guide to building business credit.

Working with the Internal Revenue Service

Visit the IRS website and get an EIN for the small business. They’re totally free. Pick a business entity like corporation, LLC, etc.

A company can begin as a sole proprietor. But they will more than likely want to switch to a sort of corporation or partnership.

This is in order to reduce risk. And it will make best use of tax benefits.

A business entity will matter when it comes to taxes and liability in case of litigation. A sole proprietorship means the business owner is it when it comes to liability and tax obligations. No one else is responsible.

Sole Proprietors Take Note

If you operate a company as a sole proprietor, then at the very least be sure to file for a DBA. This is ‘doing business as’ status.

If you do not, then your personal name is the same as the company name. As a result, you can find yourself being directly responsible for all small business financial obligations.

In addition, according to the IRS, with this arrangement there is a 1 in 7 chance of an IRS audit. There is a 1 in 50 chance for corporations! Avoid confusion and drastically reduce the odds of an IRS audit as well.

Beginning the Business Credit Reporting Process

Begin at the D&B website and get a totally free D-U-N-S number. A D-U-N-S number is how D&B gets a small business into their system, to produce a PAYDEX score. If there is no D-U-N-S number, then there is no record and no PAYDEX score.

Once in D&B’s system, search Equifax and Experian’s web sites for the company. You can do this at fastcs.wpengine.com/reports. If there is a record with them, check it for accuracy and completeness. If there are no records with them, go to the next step in the process.

By doing so, Experian and Equifax will have activity to report on.

Vendor Credit Tier

First you must establish trade lines that report. This is also called the vendor credit tier. Then you’ll have an established credit profile, and you’ll get a business credit score.

And with an established business credit profile and score you can begin obtaining retail store and cash credit.

These varieties of accounts often tend to be for the things bought all the time, like shipping boxes, outdoor work wear, ink and toner, and office furniture.

But first off, what is trade credit? These trade lines are credit issuers who will give you initial credit when you have average credit score or none now. Terms are ordinarily Net 30, instead of revolving.

Hence, if you get approval for $1,000 in vendor credit and use all of it, you must pay that money back in a set term, such as within 30 days on a Net 30 account.

Get awesome funding with our foolproof guide to building business credit.

Details

Net 30 accounts must be paid in full within 30 days. 60 accounts need to be paid in full within 60 days. Unlike with revolving accounts, you have a set time when you have to pay back what you borrowed or the credit you made use of.

To kick off your business credit profile properly, you need to get approval for vendor accounts that report to the business credit reporting bureaus. When that’s done, you can then make use of the credit.

Then repay what you used, and the account is on report. You can have a D&B business credit profile or an Equifax business credit profile. Or you might have a business credit profile with Experian.

Vendor Credit Tier – It Helps

Not every vendor can help in the same way true starter credit can. These are vendors that will grant an approval with hardly any effort. You also want them to be reporting to one or more of the big three CRAs: Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian.

You want 5 to 8 of these to move onto the next step, which is the retail credit tier. But you may need to apply more than one time to these vendors.

This is how to build a business credit profile. Vendors are a terrific way to increase credit score in 30 days.

Uline Shipping Supplies

Uline Shipping Supplies is a true starter vendor. You can find them online at www.uline.com. They offer shipping, packing, and industrial supplies, and they report to D&B.

You need to have a D-U-N-S number. They will request 2 references and a bank reference. The initial few orders might need to be paid in advance to initially get approval for Net 30 terms. It’s a great way to build business credit profile.

Quill

Quill is an additional true starter vendor. You can find them online at www.quill.com. They sell office, packaging, and cleaning supplies, and they report to D&B and Experian business credit.

Since Quill reports to two separate credit reporting bureaus, you get two credit experiences with them. Place an initial order first unless the D&B score is established.

Usually they will put you on a 90-day prepayment schedule. If you order items monthly for 3 months, they will typically approve you for a Net 30 Account.

They’re wonderful for ways to increase credit score in 30 days.

Grainger Industrial Supply

Grainger Industrial Supply is also a true starter vendor. You can find them online at www.grainger.com. They sell safety equipment, plumbing supplies, and more, and they report to D&B. You will need a business license, EIN, and a D-U-N-S number.

They’re great for building business credit profile.

Accounts That Don’t Report

Non-Reporting Trade Accounts can also be helpful. While you do want trade accounts to report to at the very least one of the CRAs, a trade account which does not report can nonetheless be of some value.

You can always ask non-reporting accounts for trade references. And also credit accounts of any sort ought to help you to better even out business expenses, thereby making budgeting simpler. These are providers like PayPal Credit, T-Mobile, and Best Buy.

They are another way how to get your credit score up in 30 days.

Retail Credit Tier

Once there are 5 to 8 or more vendor trade accounts reporting to at least one of the CRAs, then move to the retail credit tier. These are businesses like Office Depot and Staples. These companies are likelier to have goods you need.

Use the small business’s EIN on these credit applications.

One good example is Lowe’s. They report to D&B, Equifax and Business Experian. They need to see a D-U-N-S and a PAYDEX score of 78 or more.

Fleet Credit Tier

Are there 8 to 10 accounts reporting? Then move to the fleet credit tier. These are businesses like BP and Conoco. Use this credit to purchase, repair, and maintain vehicles. Make certain to apply using the company’s EIN.

One such example is Shell. They report to D&B and Business Experian. They want to see a PAYDEX Score of 78 or higher and a 411 small business phone listing.

Shell may say they want a specific amount of time in business or profits. But if you already have adequate vendor accounts, that won’t be necessary. And you can still get approval.

Get awesome funding with our foolproof guide to building business credit.

Cash Credit Tier

Have you been responsibly handling the credit you’ve gotten up to this point? Then progress to the cash credit tier. These are businesses like Visa and MasterCard. Keep your SSN off these applications; use your EIN instead.

One example is the Fuelman MasterCard. They report to D&B and Equifax Business. They need to see a PAYDEX Score of 78 or better. And they also want you to have 10 trade lines reporting on your D&B report. This is generally building business credit rather than a business credit line.

Plus, they want to see a $10,000 high credit limit reporting on your D&B report (other account reporting).

Also, they want you to have an established business.

These are businesses such as Walmart and Dell, and also Home Depot, BP, and Racetrac. These are typically MasterCard credit cards. If you have 14 trade accounts reporting, then these are feasible.

Monitor Your Business Credit

Know what is happening with your credit. Make certain it is being reported and attend to any errors as soon as possible. Get in the practice of checking credit reports and digging into the details, and not just the scores.

We can help you monitor business credit at Experian and D&B for 90% less than it would cost you at the CRAs. See: fastcs.wpengine.com/business-credit-monitoring.

At D&B you can monitor at: www.dandb.com/credit-builder. At Experian, you can monitor your account at: www.smartbusinessreports.com/Landing/1217/. And at Equifax, you can monitor your account at: www.equifax.com/business/business-credit-monitor-small-business. Experian and Equifax cost about $19.99; D&B ranges from $49.99 to $99.99.

Update Your Record

Update the details if there are mistakes or the relevant information is incomplete. At D&B, you can do this at: https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/viewiUpdateHome.htm. For Experian, go here: www.experian.com/small-business/business-credit-information.jsp. And for Equifax, go here: www.equifax.com/business/small-business.

Fix Your Business Credit

So, what’s all this monitoring for? It’s to contest any problems in your records. Errors in your credit report(s) can be taken care of. But the CRAs often want you to dispute in a particular way.

Get your small business’s PAYDEX report at: www.dnb.com/about-us/our-data.html. Get your company’s Experian report at: www.businesscreditfacts.com/pdp.aspx?pg=SearchForm. And get your Equifax business credit report at: www.equifax.com/business/credit-information.

Disputes

Disputing credit report errors commonly means you mail a paper letter with copies of any proofs of payment with it. These are documents like receipts and cancelled checks. Never send the original copies. Always send copies and keep the originals.

Fixing credit report inaccuracies also means you precisely spell out any charges you contest. Make your dispute letter as clear as possible. Be specific about the concerns with your report. Use certified mail so that you will have proof that you mailed in your dispute.

Dispute your or your company’s Equifax report by following the directions here: www.equifax.com/small-business-faqs/#Dispute-FAQs.

You can dispute inaccuracies on your or your company’s Experian report by following the instructions here: www.experian.com/small-business/business-credit-information.jsp.

And D&B’s PAYDEX Customer Service telephone number is here: www.dandb.com/glossary/paydex.

A Word about How to Build Business Credit

Always use credit sensibly! Don’t borrow more than what you can pay off. Monitor balances and deadlines for payments. Paying off on schedule and completely will do more to raise business credit scores than pretty much anything else.

Establishing company credit pays off. Great business credit scores help a company get loans. Your credit issuer knows the business can pay its debts. They understand the small business is bona fide.

The business’s EIN links to high scores and lenders won’t feel the need to ask for a personal guarantee.

Business credit is an asset which can help your business for years to come. Get started toward building small business credit.

Build Business Credit in 30 Days: Takeaways

Once you learn what influences your company credit score, you can build business credit in 30 days. You can even start a business in 30 days. And you can repair credit score in 30 days.