Building business credit is one of the most important things you can do as an entrepreneur. Strong business credit helps you secure funding, qualify for better loan terms, and separate your personal and business finances. However, many small business owners don’t know where to start or assume they need years of history to build good credit.
The truth? You can build business credit fast—even if you’re just starting out. In this guide, we’ll break down how business credit works, why it matters, and the exact steps to build your business credit in 2025.
Why Business Credit Matters
Just like your personal credit score, your business credit score determines how lenders, banks, and suppliers view your business financially. The better your business credit, the easier it is to get approved for loans, credit cards, and vendor accounts.
The Benefits of Good Business Credit
- Easier Loan Approvals – Lenders will be more likely to approve you for loans and lines of credit.
- Higher Credit Limits – Business credit allows you to borrow more money than personal credit.
- Better Interest Rates – A strong business credit profile means lower interest rates on loans and credit cards.
- Separate Personal & Business Finances – Protect your personal credit and assets.
- Qualify for Vendor Trade Accounts – Get net 30, net 60, and net 90 accounts with suppliers to improve cash flow.
Without business credit, you may have to personally guarantee all business expenses, putting your personal assets at risk.
Step 1: Register Your Business Properly
Before you can start building credit, you need to set up your business the right way.
1. Choose the Right Business Structure
The best way to separate your personal and business credit is to form an LLC or Corporation. A sole proprietorship does not separate you legally, making it harder to build credit. If you decide to form an LLC, check out our state-specific LLC guide.
2. Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is like a social security number for your business. It’s free to apply through the IRS website and is required for:
- Opening a business bank account
- Applying for business credit cards and loans
- Establishing business credit with vendors
3. Open a Business Bank Account
Lenders and credit agencies look for a business bank account when evaluating creditworthiness. Keep your business finances separate from personal funds by opening a dedicated business account.
Popular online banks for small businesses include:
- Mercury (Best for startups and online businesses)
- Novo (No monthly fees and great for freelancers)
- Bluevine (Offers business lines of credit)
Step 2: Get Listed with Business Credit Bureaus
Business credit scores aren’t tracked by personal credit agencies like Experian or Equifax. Instead, they are reported separately by business credit bureaus.
To start building business credit, make sure your business is listed with:
- Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) – Get a D-U-N-S number (required for business credit).
- Experian Business – Register your business so lenders can report your payments.
- Equifax Business – Tracks business financial health and trade lines.
Getting a D-U-N-S Number from Dun & Bradstreet is completely free and essential for building business credit.
Step 3: Start with Vendor Trade Lines
If you don’t qualify for business credit cards yet, vendor trade lines are the best way to start building business credit.
What Are Vendor Trade Lines?
Vendor trade lines allow businesses to buy products or services on credit and pay them back later. They typically offer net 30, net 60, or net 90 terms, meaning you have 30, 60, or 90 days to pay.
Best Vendor Accounts to Build Business Credit Fast
- Quill – Office supplies with net 30 terms.
- Grainger – Industrial and safety supplies.
- Uline – Shipping and packaging supplies with net 30 accounts.
- Crown Office Supplies – Reports to all major business credit bureaus.
- NAV Business Boost – Helps report business credit activity to agencies.
Using vendor accounts responsibly helps establish credit history quickly. Pay invoices on time and in full to build your business credit profile.
Step 4: Get a Business Credit Card
Once you have a few vendor trade lines, the next step is applying for a business credit card. This helps you:
- Increase your available credit
- Build a strong credit history
- Separate business and personal expenses
Best Business Credit Cards for Beginners
- Brex – No personal guarantee, great for startups.
- Capital One Spark Classic – Easier approval for businesses with fair credit.
- Chase Ink Business Cash – High credit limits and cash-back rewards.
- American Express Blue Business Cash – Good for businesses with some credit history.
Make small purchases on your business credit card and pay them off in full every month to build a solid credit history.
Step 5: Apply for a Business Line of Credit or Loan
Once your business credit improves, you can qualify for higher credit limits, loans, and lines of credit. Two strong funding options for businesses in 2025 include:
1. Bluevine Business Line of Credit
- Credit lines up to $250,000.
- Fast approvals and flexible repayment options.
- Ideal for businesses with at least $40,000 monthly revenue.
2. Fora Financial Small Business Loan
Loan amounts from $5,000 to $1.5 million.
- Approvals in as little as 4 hours, with funding in 72 hours.
- Lower credit requirements (minimum 570 FICO score).
- No collateral is required.
Both Bluevine and Fora Financial offer fast approvals, flexible terms, and options for businesses with different financial needs.
Step 6: Monitor Your Business Credit Score
Just like personal credit, your business credit score changes over time. Monitoring your business credit helps you:
- Detect errors or fraudulent activity.
- Ensure lenders and vendors report your payments correctly.
- Track your progress as your credit score improves.
Best Tools to Monitor Business Credit
- Nav – Monitors business credit scores from D&B, Experian, and Equifax.
- Dun & Bradstreet Credit Signal – Tracks D-U-N-S scores and financial health.
Regularly reviewing your business credit reports helps you stay on top of your financial standing and make adjustments as needed.
Final Thoughts: How to Build Business Credit Fast
Building business credit doesn’t happen overnight, but following the right steps can speed up the process.
Quick Recap:
- Register your business properly – LLC, EIN, and business bank account.
- Get listed with business credit bureaus such as Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax.
- Open vendor trade lines – Start with net 30 accounts like Uline and Quill.
- Apply for a business credit card – Use it responsibly to build a credit history.
- Secure additional funding – Consider a Bluevine business line of credit or a Fora Financial small business loan.
- Monitor your business credit score – Track progress and correct errors.
By following these steps, you can build strong business credit within months, not years. Having great business credit means better financing options, lower interest rates, and greater financial flexibility.
