Experian – this credit bureau has only one score, from 0-100, known as the credit score. It looks at the same metrics the other two credit bureaus do but also looks at additional factors such as public records on the business. Experian offers its credit reports directly through its website. You can access a one-time basic report for $39.95, making this the cheapest credit bureau in terms of credit report price. Additionally, you can purchase a more in-depth report for $49.95.

• Because your score conveys the likelihood of your business meeting its financial obligations, it’s one of the primary tools used to mitigate risk by parties interested in your business.
• Equifax, one of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies, experienced a data breach in mid-2017 that exposed personal information from 143 million Americans.
• Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® on everyday purchases and redeem for travel, cash back and more.
• We’ve also included some of the other services that cost money but can be worth the money if you’re looking for a comprehensive view of your business’s financial standing.

Even if you do, as your business grows, you may need some extra cash to pay your bills and pay your employees. However, you can’t do that if your business has a bad credit score. Insurance companies check your credit score in order to gauge the risk they’ll take to insure you. Studies have indicated that those with lower credit scores are likely to file more claims or have more expensive insurance claims, while those with higher credit scores are less likely to do so. Some business credit cards — like the Capital One Spark Cash for Business — offer cash back on all purchases. Others may offer bonuses on travel and other business-specific expenses.

Everything You Need To Know About Your Business Credit Score And How To Improve It

bridgeview While new business owners can use their personal credit scores instead of their business credit scores, this blurs the line between personal and business finances. Additionally, a business credit score can make life as a business owner much less stressful. Once established, business owners can more easily acquire loans, trade credit, and access other financial benefits.

Make All Payments On Time

Business credit card for your company, you probably have business credit scores, too — whether you know it or not. These scores may help you secure better terms the next time you apply for a small-business loan or get an insurance policy for your business. Register your business legally and apply for a federal employer identification number and a D-U-N-S®Number.

What Insurance Companies Do Not Want You To Know?

Every year, you’re entitled to one free credit report from each of the main credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You can access these reports for free at annualcreditreport.com, which is authorized by federal law. We recommend you don’t access all three reports at the same time, but instead space one report out every four months.

Can A Business Credit Card Help To Build Business Credit?

Nonetheless, their impact on your credit score and the time you require to recover from them depends on various factors. These include how big the credit missteps are and how recently you have made them. Overall, it always helps to have a high credit score, and so you must find ways to repair bad credit. Even if you ask your financial planner how you can fix bad credit, they will suggest working towards achieving a high credit score. As bad as all those financial things you can’t do with bad credit, there’s one more reason to protect your credit score.

However, if you sign up for CreditSignal, you will be able to access your score for 14 days, so this is a good option if you want to monitor your business credit score for a limited time. To build business credit, monitor your credit reports and dispute errors, avoid late payments, and maintain good business relationships. Unlike Dun & Bradstreet’s Paydex Score and Equifax’s Payment Index, Experian’s business credit score considers a broad range of factors other than your business’s payment history. Your company’s credit report tells creditors how consistently you’ve repaid past debts and how likely you are to make timely payments on future loans.