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This is How to Build Business Credit Fast [Step-by-Step Guide]

By Joe

How to Build Business Credit

Here on our blog, you’ll find how to get business credit. Furthermore, we’ve shared a ton of articles about various funding options, lender reviews, and other relevant advice. What we haven’t revealed (publicly) is how to build your business properly to obtain credit, which is the core of our mission — the skills that Business Credit Workshop members master. 

A high business credit score can help you increase funding options beyond the limitations of personal credit and even lower insurance rates.  

Now, I’m going to lift the curtain and share the bricks you need to lay (and how to lay them) if you want to build business credit in 30 days. Here’s what’s in store:

  • Intro: Business Credit FAQs
  • 5 Steps to Build Business Credit
    • Step 1: Form Your Business
    • Step 2: Get Your Company “Business Credit Ready”
    • Step 3: Network With Local Banks
    • Step 4: Setup Business Credit Profiles
    • Step 5: Build Small Trade Lines of Credit
  • Final Takeaway

I assume you are tempted to skip around, but I recommend you read the entire article. Each section contains little gems of wisdom to not only tell you what to do, but show you how to do it right. 

If you’re ready, let’s go! 

Intro: Business Credit FAQs

Before we explore the steps to take, I want to use this space to quickly answer some of the top questions I hear all the time about building businesss credit. 

Can I use my EIN to apply for credit?

Yes, if you have an EIN assigned by the IRS, you can use it to apply for business credit. 

Is it hard to get a business credit card?

No, it is not hard to get a business credit card, as long as you have a high business credit score. 

Do business credit cards pull personal credit?

Some business credit cards do a soft or hard pull to your personal credit and some do not – the latter is rare.  

Can an LLC have a credit score?

An LLC can have an employer identification number (EIN) and a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet. These identification numbers represent entities that can have credit scores separate from personal credit scores. 

Can an LLC get a loan?

Yes, a business entity like an LLC or other corporation can apply for and get a loan. 

Can I open a credit card for my LLC?

Yes, you can open a credit card for your LLC if it has a high business credit score. 

Can I buy a house with business credit or can an LLC buy a house?

Yes, you can use business credit to purchase real estate on behalf of an LLC. 

How long does it take to build business credit?

You can build business credit in as few as 30 days. 

What are the easiest business credit cards to get approved for?

The business credit cards with the lowest credit requirements are typically store cards with net 30 payment terms. 

Can you build business credit with bad personal credit?

Yes, you can build business credit with any personal credit score. However, many lenders require a personal guarantee, some require a hard or soft pull to your personal credit score, and poor personal credit limits your business credit options. 

However, a low personal credit score isn’t a death sentence. Check out this Credit Secrets book review.

Now, how do you build business credit fast? 

5 Steps to Build Business Credit

Since I started teaching owners how to get business credit, I’ve honed the process into a fully-sharpened, seven-step system. And, the first five steps of the proceess relate to business credit building; this is the first time I’ve shared them with non-members. 

Before you get your hands dirty, here’s a quick tip: Business credit is a lot like personal credit — the fundamental rule is that you must pay your debts as agreed to maintain a good score. With that in mind, let’s dive in. 

Step 1: Form Your Business 

1. Form Your Legal Business Entity

In construction, the first steps of building are to prep the site and lay a foundation. Likewise, your business needs a strong foundation: proper entity formation. Here are a few considerations. 

First, your business name should be neutral. If you call your company Legacy Real Estate, your entity will be limited to funding options available to real estate companies. However, a company name like Legacy Management keeps you open to more generic funding options.

On a similar note, your business category should be neutral. Business Management is a safe category for most companies. And, you can always establish multiple brands under one legal entity. 

Next, once you establish your business name, don’t change it. Lenders will want to see proof that your company is dependable and using the same business name over a long period will ensure this. 

Finally, how do you want to establish your business entity? Would you like to hire an attorney to do it for you, use an online service like Legal Zoom, or do so manually through your local Secretary of State? 

Step 2: Get Your Company “Business Credit Ready” 

2. Get "Business Credit Ready"

Think of getting “business credit ready” as adding a rough frame to a structure. Business credit readiness involves several steps.

  1. Establish your physical address (don’t use a P.O. box) – As a rule, a P.O. box doesn’t seem professional in lenders’ eyes. 
  2. Get business insurance if you need it – Forbes lists 13 types of insurance that small businesses might need.  
  3. Obtain the required business licenses – You will need to file your business with your local Secretary of State Office. Some towns require licensing for certain types of businesses. Check with your city or county to see what additional licenses you might need. 
  4. Create an online presence –  At minimum, your business needs a website and branded domain name. The name and address should be the same as what’s listed in your legal business entity records. 
  5. List your business in relevant directories – You’ll want your business listed in relevant directories online and offline directories, including 411. Each of these directories should include the same information about your business (name, address, phone number, etc.). This will help your business appear more trustworthy and legitimate to lenders when you start the application process. 

To accompany the above steps, you will also need a phone number and a business bank account. Here are a couple of tips. 

  • Get a local, physical, landline number. Either call your local phone provider for this or use an online (VOIP) service. 
  • Establish a business checking account that you plan to use long-term. 

See Also: 3 Best Credit Unions for Small Business Banking

When the time comes to apply for credit, you may also need operating agreements and other business documents, so keep every record handy. 

Step 3: Network With Local Banks

3. Network With Local Banks

A network is crucial to success in anything. Buildings require electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems while business credit involves a network of real people – bankers and other financial professionals. 

If you can, attend local Chamber of Commerce events. If you’re not able to, network online with locals that you can build rapport with. Through authentic relationships, these people can teach you to about the underwriting processes for establishing major lines of business credit.  

Note: When you drive around in your community, keep track of all of the small community banks and credit unions in you see. Then, research what financing programs they offer. 

We recommend a spreadsheet of all business credit cards, business lines of credit, business loans, and other offers for each bank near you so that you can see them side-by-side before you make a decision. Furthermore, you’ll want to know if these banks lend their own money. If they don’t, find out who their underwriter is so you can get a feel for what the requirements will be. 

Step 4: Setup Business Credit Profiles

4. Setup Business Credit Profiles

Setting up business credit profiles is like installing insulation in a building. This is the padding within the walls of your business that will make it so that banks are willing to lend to you. 

Your business will have a few business credit scores. The most important is your PAYDEX score from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Since businesses don’t automatically have a D&B profile, you will need to set yours up and establish a DUNS number. 

You can expedite the process of obtaining a DUNS number for $49 so that you don’t have to wait a month to receive it. 

See Also: Everything You Need to Know About a DUNS Number

You will also want to monitor your Equifax and Experian business credit scores, which can be done for free here: 

  • Equifax small business 
  • Experian small business

If you do see inaccuracies, now is the time to fix them. 

I recommend you monitor your business credit with Nav (essentially the CreditKarma for businesses). There are a ton of business credit monitoring services that cost anywhere from $4 to $30 per month. Stay away from them. You can get everything you need for free through Nav. 

The only time I recommend paying for full credit reports and scores is if something doesn’t look right and you need to dispute or correct an item on your report. 

Step 5: Build Small Trade Lines of Credit 

5. Build Small Trade Lines of Credit

To make a building habitable, you need to add drywall, flooring, siding, and roofing. And, in business credit, your small tradelines of credit are what actually seal the deal. Once you have established the proper number of tradelines and those tradelines have reported to the credit bureaus, you will have a perfect PAYDEX score. 

See Also:  30 Day Net Vendors That Report to D&B

I’ll say it one more time: the key to a high business credit score is that the trade lines you establish report your on-time payments to business credit bureaus, including D&B. You can also use gas cards and store cards. Just be sure to do your research and make sure your payments will be reported. 

While you might be able to qualify for some revolving lines of credit at this point, I recommend you always start with tradelines. Crawl before you walk if you want to remain stable. 

Final Takeaway

Establishing and building business credit is crucial for companies who want more freedom in the way they fund their operations. Once you’ve completed the steps above, all you need to do is optimize your credit score and apply for funding, which is like adding trim, fixtures, mirrors, and windows then taking a final walk through the home you’ve built. 

To dive deeper into the full, seven-step process, read exclusive business tips, learn exactly how to setup your credit profiles the right way, and ultimately learn how to obtain $100K in business credit in 30 days, sign up for Business Credit Workshop.

Expert Weighs in on Credit Suite Reviews: Is the Service Worthwhile?

By Joe

Since the onset of COVID-19, many businesses have been scrambling to access capital to keep their doors open. PPP loans and other Coronavirus relief can only get companies so far. More than ever, owners turn to creative ways to finance their operations. Now, Credit Suite is an increasingly popular option. So, can you trust all of the positive reviews? 

Credit Suite Reviews

As of August 2020, less than 1% of users on TrustPilot have reported bad service from the brand. And, it’s pretty much the same on BBB and SoTellUs. Now, Before you take other peoples’ word for it, let’s examine the offering, determine what you would get yourself into if you signed up, and compare the service to other options. 

This is what you’ll find here: 

  • What is Credit Suite?
    • What Will the Service Help You Accomplish?
    • How Much Does Credit Suite Cost?
    • Credit Suite’s Credit Monitoring Overview
  • Credit Suite Complaints
  • How Does Credit Suite Stack Up to Competitors?
  • Final Takeaway

So, let’s get to it… 

First, What is Credit Suite? 

Credit Suite is a system, powered by Finance Suite™ software, designed to help businesses build credit and obtain capital through lines of credit and loans. Via their Partner Program, they also offer the software as a white label solution for B2B companies to help get capital for their customers. 

In a nutshell, there are three services offered: 

  1. Business credit building consultation
  2. White label business credit software 
  3. Credit monitoring 

Learn more about the complete offer before you decide if it’s right for you. 

What Will the Service Help You Accomplish? 

The goal of leveraging the Credit Suite system is to build and obtain credit for your EIN that is not linked to your SSN (no personal guarantee/credit check). You will learn about a DUNS number, discover a few net 30 vendors, and the rest of the basics of business credit. 

Business Credit Building Framework

The system used is based on a simple, 4-step framework: 

  1. Build Business Credibility
  2. Establish Business Credit Reports
  3. Get Initial Business Credit
  4. Get revolving credit

Recommended: 7 most important steps of building your business credit profile so you can obtain business credit without showing financials!

By the end of your journey, the brand claims to help you get multiple revolving lines of credit from $5K to $50K each. And, their users seem to be pleased. Here are some of the features boasted by clients.  

  • Continuous contact from support via call, text, & email
  • Business credit education
  • An offer of $20K in personal credit 
  • A 5-month business credit program
  • Exceptional customer service

And, as far as resources go, the blog has some decent info for beginners who want to learn about expanding their business credit options. For example, one recent topic is “Crowdfunding Terms You Should Know in a Recession.” They also share content about trade references and NAICS and SIC codes.

How Much Does Credit Suite Cost? 

Credit Suite’s core offer to help you build business credit costs either $2,997 or 7 payments of $597 ($4,179). 

The Partner Program, on the other hand, is classified as an investment and will cost more. This offer is broken down into two tiers: 

  1. VIP: $4,497 or 8 payments of $697 ($5,576)
    1. Get business credit and financing
    2. Become a licensed partner (Finance Suite™ user) 
    3. Leverage direct funding for your customers
  2. Ultimate: $6,497 or 9 payments of $897 ($8,073)
    1. Everything above 
    2. Marketing funnels to boost your sales

Credit Suite’s Credit Monitoring Overview

If you’re only interested in seeing your business credit scores, the brand has a less expensive intro offer. Credit Suite’s credit monitoring software enables companies to monitor credit through D&B, Experian, and Equifax. 

Business Credit Building Software

As a standalone product, the software costs $24 per month after a 30-day free trial. So, let’s compare this choice to your other business credit monitoring service options. 

MonitoringServiceD&BReportExperian ReportEquifax ReportCost
Credit Suite YesYesYes$24/mo
NavYesYesYesFree to $49.99/mo
ExperianNoYesNoFree+
EquifaxNoNoYesFree+
D&BYesNoNoFree+
FunderaNoNoYesFree+

As the above comparison shows, you have several free options to pull business credit reports. While you can pay to upgrade with most of these services to see advanced insights, including your business credit scores, I don’t usually recommend it. If, however, you might have some negative history to clear up, it can be a good idea. 

The top competitor for Credit Suite’s credit monitoring solution is probably Nav. And, Nav’s paid monitoring services range from $30 to $50. While you might pay a few more dollars per month to access full reports and scores, you can see basic summaries at no cost. So, subscribe to Credit Suite’s monitoring service at your own risk.  

Recommended: 2020 Nav Review: A Tool to Build Your Business Credit Score

Now, Let’s Look at Credit Suite Complaints

While the system mostly seems to satisfy users, it is not free from grievances. The most dirt I could find on Credit Suite had to do with their refund policies. Users who were apparently speaking to the Partner Program (not the core business credit building services) complained of being overcharged and/or not receiving a refund when they believed they were entitled to one. 

Yet, in at least one case, a Credit Suite representative replied and claimed to have made an attempt to process the refund after all. So, this criticism should be taken with a grain of salt. All in all, the service maintains 4.5-4.8 out of 5 stars across the board. 

If you are interested in the white-label business financing software options, I recommend shopping around. Check out Funding CEO, Blue Street Capital, and Mulligan Funding just to get an idea of how many fish swim in this sea. 

And, How Does Credit Suite’s Core Offer Stack Up to the Key Competitors? 

To play the devil’s advocate here, I might argue that businesses could save themselves a couple thousand dollars by diligently researching their options. These business owners would make sure they have the right fit because there are several worthy Credit Suite competitors. For example, Fund&Grow, LenCred, and many others offer similar business credit acquisition solutions. 

CompanyFunding ClaimCost
Credit SuiteMultiple revolving lines from $5K to $50K$2,997 to $4,179
Fund&Grow$100K to $250K $3,997 or 9% of Funding Obtained 
LenCred$25K to $150K5 to 10% of Funding Obtained
Business Credit Builders$50K to $150K $3,500
One-Stop Funding Solutions$25K to $200K$99 to $3,950
Midwest Corporate CreditUp to $500K8% of Funding Obtained


Plus, some contenders have pretty amazing bonuses. Fund&Grow, for example, offers private getaways and vacations. So, I recommend studying the business credit building marketplace before you sign up. 

Final Takeaway

The answer you’ve been waiting for: Can you believe the positive Credit Suite reviews? Probably.

It sounds like users are happy with their results and that Credit Suite’s customer service is impressive. The service is legitimate and seems capable of coaching you to get large lines of business credit, as long as you work the program. Furthermore, the white label service is a standout feature not offered by direct competitors.

However, I wouldn’t recommend the credit monitoring software that Credit Suite offers — I say check out Nav instead. And, if you’re interested in the white label product, reach out and talk to some people who have purchased it because there are many comparable finance software products that could be a better fit. Now, if you’re looking to boost your business credit score and obtain large business lines of credit without paying high origination fees, learn how to obtain $100K in business credit in 30 days.

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