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When a business is unable to pay its bills on time, their credit falls. This inability to ensure the payments on time refers to Bad Credit. Having bad credit makes it hard for businesses to attain a loan because banks consider them riskier than the rest of the borrowers. It is so because of the failure of businesses to keep up with their payments that they might not be able to pay on time in the future either. 

Obstacles a Small Business faces due to the Bad Credit:

The biggest hurdle for a small business is attaining proper funding to move towards real growth. However, obtaining the fund can be difficult because it is effortless for a small business to lose track of payments and damage the credit score. However, it is the little things that make all the difference. You do not get a bad credit overnight. It is the sand that is slowly sifting through your hand, which, if you can realize, will make all the difference. 

Marketing is an obstacle. However, if you are doing it wisely , using cheap means to get to a bigger audience, you can solve another big hurdle. You can target the right audience. Once you are getting the customers, you can work towards retaining them. As soon as you are selling big, the money would start coming in, ensuring that you make your payment on time. All you need is to be wise, be strategic while planning out a business. It will enable you to make sure you have good credit. However, if you go through a mishap, your credit score falls, it is only your strategic planning which will get you out of that situation. If your credit falls, you should be aware of all the options that can help you improve your score. 

Yes, you need a loan to help your bad credit because your business is out of money. However, that is not the only option to improve your bad credit. There are little things you can opt for to help your bad credit score. 

Firstly, it is vital to keep a check on your credit reports. It enables you to know where you went wrong and also allows you to see if the statement is correct because several times, there are mistakes in the credit report. Then, you can start to keep track of your payments. Promptly payments have helped many businesses improve their bad credit. Also, be wise while paying: first, complete the sum of the loans with more interest rates. Do not open more credit accounts or close the ones that you already have to keep things stable. Also, ask your family and friends for monetary help. If you borrow money from them, it does not add up to your credit score, so it is a great option. Also, opt for crowdfunding. 

Once you have made sure that the system of your business is on the right track, you can look at the loan options that you have with a bad credit score. Hereunder are all of them:

A Merchant Cash Advance, though they act like loans, are advance money. You have to promise a decided piece of your future sales if you are getting a merchant cash advance for bad credit. In exchange, the lender will provide you with a lump sum of money. Merchant cash advances are a suitable choice for small businesses with bad credit because they do not require you to have an excellent credit score. They are easier to obtain, too, with minimum paperwork and prerequisites. Also, it only takes a few hours for the funds to get to you. It is precisely the most accessible funding option, always lying on the table. That is the reason you should know the needs of your business before acquiring a merchant cash advance or any loan at all. 

Short Term Loans are a lot like installment loans. However, installment loans are traditional loans; they require much paperwork and are not easy to obtain. Also, the installments take years to pay back. With Short Term Loans, you can get the money you need, which you will have to pay back in small frequent installments which do not take years. Also, they are a lot easier to obtain bad credit. The great feature of this loan is that there is no interest rate but a fixed fee. It is the reason they are the most appropriate for small businesses.  

If you have bad credit, but you need a physical thing/equipment for your business instead of cash, equipment financing is the best option for you. It is the most risk-free method and cost-effective option. The lenders let you buy the equipment without any charges. That equipment itself acts as collateral. Once you can pay back, you do that. If you are not able to pay back, the lenders will repossess the equipment. 

Accounts Receivable Financing is the essential option you should opt for to ensure the cash flow for the sake of building credit. Opting for this option ahead of bad credit enables you to pay on time. However, if you are stuck with bad credit, accounts receivable financing can help you get back on track. A/R financing takes away your worry of the unpaid invoices and pays them as soon as the customer purchases credit to ensure cash flow. Thus, whenever the customer pays you the invoice, it goes directly to your lender, and they cut a minimum fee for their services. 

A business line of credit is the option that gives you a certain amount of money immediately. You have the flexibility to payback time to time or all together at once. Another positive feature of this kind of funding is that your credit limit increases when you pay back in time. Thus, the business line of credit creates a flexible cycle: you use the money, you pay back, and you use the money again. This option is great for small businesses trying to ensure their cash flow for the sake of improving their credit score. 

Even though you are aware of the loans you can obtain for your small business even with bad credit, it is crucial to determine which kind of loan would benefit you the most. The credit score that is below 600 is usually considered bad. However, if your credit falls from 500, you should be alert because now your business is going down just because you have been unable to make your payments on time. Moreover, knowing what constitutes a credit score also helps to understand and maintain a credit score. Your payment history and amounts owed make 60% of your total credit score. Other than that, your accounts history, new credit, and credit mix are also taken into account to conclude your overall credit score. It tells that you have quite a space for improvement and will take little steps if you cannot only maintain a good score but also improve it if, for some reason, it has deteriorated. If you are planning strategically to maintain the cash flow, chances are your business will boom eventually. Good Luck!