How to build business credit in 10 simple ways?

When you’re applying for business loans a good business credit score is helpful because it quickly solves cash flow problems. Lenders tend to check your business credit score when you apply for financing. A business credit score that is in higher ranges will significantly boost the profitability of approval for any application you make for business lines of credit, small business loans, or other business financing products. A good business credit score is essentially an indicator to lenders that the business in question is capable of making repayments on time.

You should focus on how to build business credit because a positive score enables improved chances of obtaining trade credit and better repayment terms from suppliers and vendors. A good business credit score portrays your business as a client that is trustworthy. This means you will have better chances of getting repayment structures that are flexible.

By building your business credit score you can also ensure that your personal credit score stays protected at all times. Using personal credit is a big no-no for making expenses related to your business. If your credit utilization score is high there will be a negative impact on your personal credit score.

Getting the unique identification number is probably the first step if you don’t have a business credit score.

Employer identification number in different countries:

- The United States

If your business is put up in the US region, apply for the employer identification number online from IRS (Internal Revenue Service). You are eligible to get an identification number whether you are a sole proprietor or a corporation. The online process is very simple in that it takes only a few hours.

- Australia

In Australia, this identification number for businesses is called the ‘Australian Business Number (ABN)’. The registration process is free and you can do it through the online government portal. ABN is different from ACN (Australian Company Number). Australian Company Number is for companies that are registered as separate entities.

- Singapore

In Singapore, ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore) issues UEN for local companies and businesses around the time of business registration. After choosing the entity type, businesses need to register themselves in the Bizfile portal maintained by ACRA, Singapore.

- India

If you have a business established in India, you need a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN) which is assigned by the IRS once you register your firm. It is 11 digit number also known as the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The registration process can be done both online and offline.

- Indonesia

To be qualified for enlisting VAT, the Indonesia VAT regulation sets an edge of IDR 4.8 billion deals each year. All paper-based applications for VAT enlistment should be submitted to the territorial duty office of the organization. When the individual or business registers for VAT charge, a unique Tax Identification Number (NPWP) of 15 digits is allowed to them.

- Philippines

A nine-digit number used as the following number by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is alluded to as a Tax Identification Number (TIN). You can also register for your tax identification number (TIN) online using the BIR eRegistration portal. However, only the individuals who fall under the category of self-employed, employees, unemployed, and mixed-income earners under the Executive Order No.98 are liable to register online.

Getting an employer identification number qualifies you to get your corporate bank account, file taxes under your business identification, start building your business credit score. 

Countries other than the US have their business taxpayer identification system where employers can register themselves.

The next step is to register the business based on your corporate entity. If you are already a registered organization in your local jurisdiction, you can ignore this step. But if you haven’t, be aware of the terms LLP, LLC, and corp based on the business structure. Here is a short explanation of the terms.

1. LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) is almost the same as a sole proprietorship, except you have partners who sign the limited liability partnership bonds. The general partner or proprietor will most likely monitor business activities and have a significant say in them, whereas the limited partners are there only to provide financial backup.

2. LLC (Limited Liability Company) - it’s a hybrid between sole proprietorship and partnership. We mean the word hybrid because LLC can help the business owners pass-through taxation while getting the limited liability benefits of a corporation. Find the proper business structure that suits your entity and get incorporated from the state corporation.

You must have chosen a business name around the time of the incorporation. Since you have the name, you can update your business name and location. And you can claim the business if it’s already available. Google is the primary point of the search when someone has to research a business and its credibility and performance. Before establishing the credit score, claiming the company and establishing a name must be done.

Separating personal finances from business finance is a must as it can help you maintain clear records and pay taxes quickly. To begin with, you can open a business checking account with any banking services vendor in your locality.



Opening a business account can also help you when you have sudden financial difficulties and need a small loan. Having an account in the bank can play an added advantage while getting the loan approved at competitive interest rates. Even when you have a corporate credit card, you can still use your business checking account to pay back the dues.

On-time payment is a no-brainer if you are focused on building or improving your business credit score. Build and maintain the vendor credits. Whether it’s the monthly dues of a credit card, bank loan, or a vendor payment, paying it at the earliest keeps you in good books and plays a crucial role in improving your credit score.

Delayed or missed payments are unprofessional and demeaning, creating a bad reputation. It also affects the future deals that stand in line and trigger late payments charges. It’s not just the repayment but the credit utilization which affects your scores. So, use your credit card or credit line wisely and never use it up to or beyond the maximum limit allocated.

Each bureau has a different way of credit score computation. But no way you can progress towards a high credit score with a bad history of delayed and late payments. Automating and scheduling the payments beforehand is exactly how to build business credit and develop good payment practices.

Vendors can offer you big-time support in boosting your credit score. When you sign up with a vendor and purchase products/services from them, try repaying them as early as possible and building trust. Try to maintain a good relationship with them and continue to be on cordial terms as you purchase from them.

Once you gain their trust, you can earn vendor credits from them. Your vendor might have accounts with a different bureau. Check which vendors report to which agencies and work closely with them to gain recognition.

There are different business credit bureaus whose primary function is to collect a company's financial records, analyze and compute its business credit score. As mentioned before, each bureau has its theories, formulas, methods, and regulations. Some of the well-established bureaus are Equifax, Dun & Bradstreet, Transunion, and Experien. Also, FICO is the most accurate and most used, which lenders use all the time to make loaning decisions.

Your money lenders, investors, and vendors can present in anyone. So, it’s best to get registered in all of them to get business credit scores. This way, you can get identified when they search for your score in the above systems.

Cash flow management is a delicate thing that you must manage efficiently; otherwise, you would run out of money to keep your business moving. To regulate your cash flow and make expensing stress-free, you will need assistance from corporate credit cards. Find a vendor who has attractive plans, easy signup policies, less interest and FX rates, and more cashbacks.

Each business has different needs. To analyze the features in-depth and choose technically and financially strong ones. When you have a credit card with an assigned line of credit, you can manage your bill and vendor payments. With that card at the end of the month, you can repay them conveniently.

Some platforms offer you discounts for using credit cards too. Now using this credit card can benefit you in two ways. One, you can pay your loans and dues on time. Two, by establishing a quick credit card due to repayment strategy, you can boost your credit score too. Be aware that it can also backfire when you don’t pay the credit back on time by impacting your score negatively.

Given the steps that have been discussed before, it’s evident that you will consider getting a business account and credit card. But it’s not too uncommon where small businesses to use their personal credit and account when they run out of cash. Whether you are in the budding stage or already established, keeping the business and personal expenses separated can set off a smooth financial journey.

Without knowing where you stand, you will be clueless about what, when, and how to build business credit and keep improving things. Keep reminders to frequently check your business credit reports and scores in all the bureaus you have registered at. There are also possibilities for minor computational errors, and when you don’t check, you will never get the opportunity to rectify them.