What Is a Business Card Why Should You Get One
Undoubtedly, money cannot fix all problems, but no one would deny that having a lot of it isn’t helpful. Businesses with adequate funds can satisfy their requirements, make prudent investments, and adapt effectively to changes in the market. There are several ways to obtain additional funding for your company. Acquiring a business credit card is an excellent move to start. The following article can guide you on how a business credit card could help you establish and grow your business.
Business Credit Cards Explained
Business owners are the intended audience for business credit cards. You can obtain a business credit card whether you run a small or newly formed business, are the head of a global company, are a sole proprietor, or run a partnership. Certain business credit cards could suit your business needs more effectively than others. Most companies use credit cards to make payments for work-related expenses, like travel or purchasing office supplies and furnishings.
Nevertheless, the terms and conditions of certain business credit cards restrict customers from using them for minor expenses. A business credit card is highly beneficial if you ever request a loan. As lenders and other banks consider your business credit card, it will make the process easier. Certain credit cards enable short-term loans if you require financing for a significant purchase.
Who Can Apply for a Business Credit Card?
Indeed, a business credit card is an appropriate choice if you intend to separate your personal and professional expenses. Moreover, you should also possess the required personal credit to get the card in question. However, some credit cards may ask for evidence of income, but it is optional to have a storefront or a big staff.
Consider applying for a business credit card if your business falls under any of the following categories:
- Major business owners
- Small business owners
- Limited-risk businesses
- Sole proprietors
- Corporations
- Freelancers
Why Should You Consider a Business Credit Card?
Business credit cards include both benefits and drawbacks, similar to everything else. The following are among the most common benefits associated with a business credit card.
Separation Of Personal and Business Expenses
Personal and business expenses must be kept separately to simplify your financial operations. You can maintain clean records by refraining from combining your personal belongings with the firm’s assets. Using a separate credit card solely for business purposes can protect your assets and keep your accounts organized.
Easy To Use
When you make a transaction, a business credit card tends to be much simpler and quicker. In addition, it is easy to carry in your wallet instead of carrying a lot of cash or your checkbook. Significantly, using a business credit card for internet purchases is much more convenient. Given the market’s rapid transition to a cashless economy, certain goods and services could only be purchased with a credit card.
Secure Mode of Purchase
The majority of cards give you the option to dispute any erroneous payments on the account. Moreover, you can hold the price until the issue is addressed. In unfortunate events of your products being misplaced, stolen, or not delivered, several credit cards guarantee some purchase protection.
More Accessible Than Getting a Loan
Applying for a business credit card tends to be more accessible and less complicated than applying for a traditional small business loan. This can be the case if you lack sufficient collateral, which banks and other lenders frequently request. It could be either for a conventional loan or a business line of credit.
Less Cash Flow Concerns
Most fresh entrepreneurs begin their businesses with a small investment. Regardless of whether you need more cash, a business credit card can assist you in purchasing the required items. This can eventually smooth out the cash flow, lessening the impact of temporary fluctuations in your business.
Labeling Of Costs
Several business credit cards offer a breakdown of costs by grouping, including supplies for the office, lodging, dining, etc., which can simplify the accounting process and filing taxes. It could particularly be beneficial if you are the focus of a tax audit.
Good Terms
Business credit cards frequently come with more favorable conditions than personal credit cards. They include reduced rates of interest, greater limits on credits, lengthier interest-free periods, and rewards to encourage timely payments.
Develop Business Credit
An excellent history of payments can assist in developing and enhancing the credit ratings of your business. Indeed, improving your credit score can benefit you in many ways. It enables you to obtain more money at lower interest rates, reduce your insurance costs, and possibly make it more feasible to rent a property.
The same thing applies to your business credit. The owners are often required to provide a personal guarantee of the loans to the businesses, regardless of how a company operates as an LLC or a corporation. Personal guarantees could be eliminated once the business achieves an excellent credit record.
Maintain Staff Spending Limits
You could obtain more credit cards for your work staff once you open a business credit card account. With this account, you can monitor your work staff’s expenditures, making running the business less complicated. Placing spending caps on each staff member is best to ensure they stay within their permitted spending limits.
Travel Perks
A business credit card might come bundled with more benefits than personal cards. It could offer higher cash-back or frequent-flier points, waived baggage costs, entry to airline lounges, and savings on hotels and rental cars. A cash-back rewards card can be ideal if you do not often travel on business trips.
Drawbacks of Using a Business Credit Card
Less Extensive Consumer Protections
Given the law, business credit cards have no obligation to provide CARD Act protections, which personal credit cards offer to their customers. Yet, many business credit card providers have freely agreed to customer protections.
High APRs
Unlike the SBA loan or a standard loan, a business credit card will be more costly when used to pay for business expenses. Business credit cards are subjected to higher regular APRs, much like most credit cards utilized for personal expenses.
Personal credit evaluation and guarantee
Nearly all business credit cards need to examine applicants’ personal credit history. This is since any outstanding balance the merchant fails to pay becomes the cardholder’s responsibility.
Bottom Line
You must be mindful of the significant differences between a business and a personal credit card. Consider applying for a business credit card and ensure to separate your personal and business expenses. As the intended purpose of a business credit card is to work for your benefit, be attentive and prudent before making your choice to avoid creating any issues in the latter stages. You can enjoy numerous benefits and rewards that a business credit card offers if you manage your finances effectively while maintaining excellent credit, as desired.