Is cash flow holding back your small business dreams? Finding the funding you need is one of the biggest hurdles for small business start-ups.
Many small businesses turn to banks as their first port of call, but getting a start-up business loan isn’t always a viable option.
If you have bad credit, or no credit, or the bank doesn’t think you have enough experience or collateral, getting a loan can be difficult.
However, bank loans are not the only funding options for your start up business.
Here are some other avenues you can try….
Online Loans
Online loans can be a real boon if you need extra funding for your small business.
Online loan providers typically have a much shorter application process than banks, and are more willing to accept applicants with credit issues.
If you need money quickly, an online loan can help provide that.
Do be aware of how much you will need to pay back, and how quickly. Always read the small print.
Merchant Cash Advances
A merchant cash advance can be helpful when you need to raise money quickly.
With a merchant cash advance, you agree to pay your lender a certain amount of your future credit card sales until you have paid off your debt, plus any fees owed to them.
A merchant cash advance can be a viable option if you’re confident that you’ll be making enough credit card sales to pay back what you owe.
Equipment Loans
As the article “You Can Overcome The Challenges of Startup Business Loans” says, an equipment loan can help you get the equipment you need for your business.
The advantage of an equipment loan is that you can furnish your business with the tools you need to get started, and get selling.
Do be aware of the time scale when taking out an equipment loan, to make sure your equipment isn’t obsolete by the time you pay it off. Equipment loans are best used for items that won’t go out of date in a hurry.
Investors
Investors can be a viable option for your business.
Investors may be able to offer a smaller amount of money over a short to medium term, and of course repayment terms will vary between investors. Some can offer larger sums than others.
One of the advantages of working with an investor is that they can often give you sound advice about your business and products, helping you ascertain what is likely to do well.
Credit Cards
Credit cards can provide some much needed flexibility when it comes to smaller amounts. A credit card can give you that little bit of space that allows you to buy now, and then pay back in smaller increments.
If you’re using a credit card, always be aware of the interest you’ll need to pay, and try to pay more than the minimum each month if you can.
Crowd Funding
Crowd funding gives you the opportunity to get funds from several investors at once.
With crowd funding, you can set up your own page and market it, showcasing your business knowledge and why your idea is worth investing in.
Crowd funding doesn’t require paperwork or credit checks. If you have a good idea and the ability to talk about it persuasively, crowd funding could work for you.
When you need money to get your business up and running, bank loans are only one option.
Whichever option you decide to investigate, always read the small print and be sure you know what you will need to pay back and when, so you can plan for it and keep your cash flow healthy.
About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a variety of topics including social media, how to build customer relationships, content marketing and how to fund your small business start-up.