Comparing Business Credit Card Offers
If you’re a small business owner, you’ll probably need business financing at some time, whether to start up your company or continue its growth. Business credit cards can help you get what your business needs while earning perks or rewards in the process.
If applying for a business credit card is something you’ve been thinking about but you still aren’t quite sure, consider some of these reasons for getting a credit card specifically tailored to your business. Then, if you’re convinced, we’ll give you some tips on comparing individual business credit card offers.
Reasons to Consider Applying for a Business Credit Card
Business credit cards can help your business in several ways. Here are some of the biggest benefits you should consider when deciding if it’s time to start comparing offers:
1. Business credit cards give you added convenience. You can place quick orders online or over the phone. You can have additional cards issued for employees who need purchasing power. You don’t have to whip out cash or write a cheque.
2. Business credit cards help you keep business finances separate from your personal finances. That’s why it’s a good idea not to use your personal credit cards for business expenses. It can make things more complicated at tax time.
3. Business credit cards might offer higher spending limits than similar personal credit cards, making them ideal for even some of your larger business expenses.
Do those benefits of business credit cards appeal to you? If so, it’s time to think about comparing specific cards.
How to Compare and Apply for Business Credit Cards
When comparing business credit cards you need to think about your business needs rather than your own personal needs and shopping habits. For example, even if you personally pay off your credit card balances in full each month that doesn’t mean your business will be equipped to do the same (especially if you’re financing large purchases during the start up phase). In that case, you might want to avoid business credit cards like the American Express Gold Business card which doesn’t have pre-set spending limits, but where you’re expected to pay off the full balance sooner than more traditional credit cards.
Another big consideration when choosing business credit cards is the rewards programme. If you run a small local business, you might not feel the annual fee for a rewards card is worthwhile as an extra business expense. Then again if you do a lot of travelling for your business, you might want to get a business rewards card like the Citibusiness credit card — they might let you earn frequent flyer points or at least give you free travel insurance.
Choosing a business credit card is a very similar process to choosing a personal one. You still need to determine what you want, how you plan to use the card, and how much you’re willing to pay in fees and interest. You just need to do those things with business interests in mind.