The Benefits of Using a Business Credit Card

A business credit card is designed to provide any business with adequate and necessary purchasing power. Many business owners are still not aware that such products exist. Most of those who know about business credit cards are still hesitant to apply for, obtain, and use one.

Many small business owners simply prefer to use their personal credit cards for business purposes. Today, there are more than enough reasons for business owners to apply for, get, and use business credit cards. It is an absolute truth that using business credit cards helps open many doors of opportunities and advantages for businesses. Here are some benefits you surely could not resist.

Better tracking of business finances

Logically, business credit cards could make it much easier for business owners to keep track of company spending. If your business uses one, all monthly expenses would be summarised and listed in the monthly statement. There would be no more need for any tedious accounting and calculations. The providers send business expense reports at the end of every month for quicker and easier monitoring of all payments and expenses incurred.

Building positive credit for the business

It would be ideal if the business would get to establish and build its own credit history. That could be part of standing on its own. If this happens, the business would have its own credit rating, which would be good instead of having to rely on your own personal credit. Using a business credit card could demonstrate and prove your positive business growth, making it more credible among potential investors and lenders.

Controlled business spending

Business credit cards, just like other credit card products, could be controlled. The owner could always set its credit limit so that overspending could be curtailed and avoided effectively. Moreover, business credit cards could enjoy higher spending limits compared to typical personal credit cards so you could be sure your business needs would always be covered.

Generous rewards programs

Most credit cards have rewards programs, which may depend on monthly spending. The higher the credit card spending each month, the greater could be the chance to access rewards. This could be taken advantage of when you use business credit cards. If you do so, you could consolidate all your business spending into a card, which would surely qualify your business to good rewards like supply discounts, insurances, and travel incentives.

Total protection

Business credit cards now offer greater protection. There are safety features that are not offered along with typical credit card products. You may opt for identity theft coverage, misuse policies, and travel accident coverage. Employee misuse insurance is offered to protect the business against possible exploitation of business finances by employees, who are trusted to own and use business credit card extensions.

Easy to use

Lastly, business credit cards are undoubtedly easier and quicker to use. Business owners could readily agree that such products are much more convenient than actually using checks. Business credit cards could be used when purchasing online or through the phone. Cashless and electronic transactions are more preferred these days.

 

About the Author:  Andrew has been helping businesses with their financial solutions. Andrew specialises in business loans and credit card debt.

Business Credit Building: Top 10 Business Credit Tips

As we celebrate the New Year let’s take some time to review a few key business credit building strategies that can put your company on the path to creditworthiness. I’m sure there have been plenty of lessons that you’ve learned from in the past twelve months but what steps are you planning to take this year?

Here are my top ten business credit building tips:

Tip #1: Get listed with all three major business credit reporting agencies – This is a major factor for a lender or supplier to determine the creditworthiness of your company without relying on your personal credit.

Tip #2 : Obtain a merchant line of credit – An excellent source of cash credit that does not require a personal credit check, guarantee, or collateral since the credit line is determined by your monthly credit card transactions.

Tip #3: Develop a well written business plan – When it comes to bank financing a well written plan can help support a loan request.

Tip#4: Monitor, protect, and manage your business credit files – It’s one thing to build a good company credit rating but it’s vital that you also protect and maintain it too.

Tip #5: Establish a ‘low 5′ bank rating – Even though bank credit is different from business credit they both play an integral role in your company’s ability to secure financing. A healthy balance rating and bank rating can play a positive role in a lender’s decision making process.

Tip #6: Make business purchases with suppliers and creditors that report – If your good payment history with existing suppliers is not being reported how can you expect to show that you’re a creditworthy company?

Tip #7: Add positive trade references to your company profile – This is a solution for non reporting suppliers but does require that your company pay a small fee. Dun and Bradstreet is currently the only business credit bureau that allows you to submit trade references.

Tip #8: Become a data furnisher with a business credit bureau – Extending credit and supplying payment data to the bureaus can benefit your business in multiple ways including increased product/service sales by as much as 50%.

Tip #9: Maximize your personal and business credit scores – Strong personal and business credit ratings will open you up to many more financing opportunities. More choices simply give you much more leverage.

Tip #10: Build a strong diversity of credit accounts – A healthy blend of credit further shows that your business can handle different types of financing programs.

Your business will at one point require an influx of cash in order to cover certain business expenses. The worst mistake you can make is not preparing ahead of time and instead seeking funding when your business needs it most. Always remember that lenders prefer to extend credit to companies that don’t need the capital.

Instead of relying on your personal credit scores every time your company needs financing, you can use your business’ credit rating to secure the financing you need with even more favorable terms and lower interest rates. Make this year your year for business credit building!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/business-credit-building-top-10-business-credit-tips-for-2011-3972102.html

About the Author

Marco Carbajo is founder of the Business Credit Insiders Circle. A step-by-step business credit building system. Follow Marco on Twitter @MarcoCarbajo and read more of his insights on business credit building.