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What is the Best Way to Build Credit for My Business?
by BusinessCredit, Guest Blogger
- Created: August 16, 2012, 2:20 pm
Once you have completed all the steps necessary for your business to be lender compliant, you can begin establishing credit.
You may have jumped ahead of yourself and already applied for one or two business credit cards using your personal credit. Not to worry-the purpose of this article is to share with you the best way to build credit for your company so you can stop relying on your personal credit to secure the financing for your company.
During the early stages of the business credit building process, you probably heard about applying for credit with vendors and suppliers because they are more willing to extend credit to companies with little to no credit. However, what you do not hear about is how to properly use the credit once you have it.
Simply getting approved for vendor credit does not establish positive payment history for your business. It takes usage and payment behavior patterns for creditors to determine how responsible your company is at meeting its financial obligations.
When it comes to the best way to build credit for your business, there are three key things to take into consideration.
- Credit usage –Make ongoing purchases using your existing credit lines. This will establish a payment trend which ultimately helps you appear as a good risk. The longer the payment history, the greater the impact it has on your business credit scores.
- Debt to credit limit ratio – The amount of debt to credit available plays a major role in credit scoring. A maxed out credit line shows that your company is overextended and may be experiencing financial challenges. Keep your debt to credit ratios at no more than 50%.
- Pay better than terms – With vendor credit the invoices you receive will have due dates ranging from net 10, net 30 to net 60 days depending on the supplier. Paying ahead of the due date can have a big impact to your credit scores. For example, when you make a purchase pay the invoice in full at least 15 to 20 days ahead of the due date. Paying 10-20 days ahead will show potential creditors that you pay better than terms.
After three to six months of positive payment history, request a credit limit increase. Large credit limits show potential creditors that your company can handle the credit exposure. In addition, large credit limits show potential lenders that other creditors believe your company is a good credit risk. Don’t expect a lender to extend $50k of credit to your business when the most your business has ever been approved for is $10k.
Your future credit approvals will be based upon many factors, including, but not limited to your business credit scores, credit limit recommendation, payment history, debt to credit ratios, and credit limit amounts.
Getting approved for credit is simply an opportunity; the best way to build credit is really how you use it.
About the author
Marco Carbajo is CEO of the Business Credit Insiders Circle (http://www.businesscreditblogger.com), a step-by-step business credit building system providing credit recovery, lines of credit, business credit cards, trade credit, and funding sources.
About the Author
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Marco Carbajo is CEO of the Business Credit Insiders Circle (www.businesscreditblogger.com), a step-by-step business credit building system providing lines of credit, trade credit and funding sources.
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Comments
seanmoore1712 | Window Shopper | 9/7/2012 - 1:26 pm
of the year, don't borrow money. Cash is the only way to pay for things. Most
businesses fail because of to much borrowing.
Lasily | Window Shopper | 8/21/2012 - 3:12 am
credit in a business. Business will get profit only if credit build up is
done in the right manner. Thus, your suggestions will indeed be helpful for
all those who are new to business.
BridgetH | Window Shopper | 8/19/2012 - 12:42 pm
creditworthy you must follow the tips you mentioned in the article.
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