Taking Your First Business Loan: What You Need to Know

Taking Your First Business Loan: What You Need to Know

A small business loan can help you successfully start and grow your entrepreneurial enterprise. As a small business owner, you may not have the working capital needed to invest in the supplies or people to help you get your business off the ground. There’s no shame in that whatsoever — countless small businesses rely on financial assistance to get up and running. A loan could be your answer, just make sure you’re informed as you look into this option.

While a new business loan can help you achieve your entrepreneurial dreams, it’s also worth noting that this type of loan carries responsibilities you shouldn’t take lightly. For instance, if you fail to make a monthly payment, the lender could institute a collections process or seize assets from your business as a form of payment.

With this in mind, again, you don’t want to take out a new business loan uninformed. Below, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about taking out your first business loan while answering any questions you might have about the application process to help you decide if this funding option is right for you.

What is a business loan?

A business loan provides the cash flow you need to establish, grow, and sustain your business. Whether you’re an individual freelancer or a multi-person startup, there will likely come a time when you could use this kind of extra cash flow. Some self-employed individuals assume that startup loans aren’t relevant to them, but this might not be true.

Say you’re a graphic designer, and after years of working in an agency, you’ve decided to become your own boss. To get started, you’ll have to invest in tools that were once provided by your company, such as a computer and design software like Adobe. This is on top of general startup costs, like creating a website and getting business cards. All of these expenses can add up, which is where a small business loan comes into play.

Here are some common reasons that entrepreneurs apply for loans:

The type of loan you get will depend on a few factors, so if you’re unsure where to start, we suggest visiting the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) site. They work with lenders to provide competitive terms and unique benefits, from flexible overhead requirements to lower down payments. Once your business has generated revenue for at least a year, more types of loans, including those from private business lenders, will become available to you.


Applying for a Business Loan for the First Time

As a first-time business owner, it can be overwhelming to figure out what business financing options are available to you as a borrower. You want to make sure you choose the best loan program to suit your unique needs. 

We’re here to help you explore the different loan options, and as a first-time business loan applicant, you’ll want to start with these four basic steps:

  1. Do your research
  2. Check your credit score
  3. Organize necessary documents
  4. Apply!

1. Do your research

As mentioned, lenders can provide loans for things like starting a new business, growing a business, operational costs, and even providing a safety net. It’s important that you research what loan is best for your needs. Once you have the purpose of your loan defined, you can look at the different types of lenders available and see which one best fits your needs.

Here are some of the different types of lenders:

2. Check your credit score

Your credit score is an important indicator of your financial health. It’s based on your financial history and considers everything, from whether you pay your utility bills on time to whether you’ve ever defaulted on a loan. Even though you are applying for a business loan and not a personal loan, lenders will look at your personal credit score. It’s a reflection of your fiscal responsibility and helps them assess your reliability (and how likely you are to pay them back).

Before you apply for any loan, find out your credit score so that you know where you stand. Knowing this baseline also allows you to take steps to improve your credit. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months (you can still get additional credit reports in a single year, but you’ll have to pay for them).

If you have a good credit score, you’re more likely to qualify for a business loan with a good interest rate and favorable terms. Ideally, your score should be at least in the mid-600 range. However, if you’re falling below this, don’t panic. Your credit score isn’t permanent. It’s always changing, and there are ways to improve it. Here are some ways you can improve your credit score:

3. Organize necessary documents

You can save time when applying for a loan by gathering all the paperwork you need in advance. Here’s a list of what you may need:

The exact paperwork requirements will vary depending on the type of loan you are applying for. This is just an overview of some basic documentation you’ll need.

4. Apply!

Once you have all your documents organized, you can apply for your business loan. The process will vary depending on the lender and type of loan you are applying for. If possible, try to look at two or three different options, comparing interest rates and terms. Ideally, you’ll secure a loan with the lowest possible APR. Keep in mind that response times will vary. As mentioned, a traditional bank loan will involve a longer review process than a microloan or online loan.


More Resources for First-Time Business Owners

A loan can help you start, grow, and maintain your business, ensuring long-term success. Finding the right loan for your business will take some time and effort. However, you don’t have to go through the process alone. ZenBusiness offers a variety of services to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

FAQs for First-Time Business Loans

  1. How do I get a first-time small business loan?

    You’ll need to apply and provide paperwork, such as a business plan, credit report, and old tax returns, to apply for a loan. The loan application process depends on the type and purpose of the loan. You can apply via an online lender, a traditional bank, or a microloan nonprofit.

  2. What is the easiest business loan to get?

    Applying for any type of loan requires you to go through a thorough application process and provide documentation attesting to personal and business financial details (tax returns, credit reports, etc.). In general, the smaller the loan is, the easier it will be to get. Microloans and online loans are usually faster and require a less rigorous approvals process than traditional bank loans.

  3. What credit score do you need to get a small business loan?

    A solid credit score (mid-600s range) will make it easier to get a loan with a low interest rate and favorable lending terms.

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