5 Best Ways to Build Business Credit

If you want your business to grow and thrive, one of the smartest moves you can make is building strong business credit. Good credit not only helps you qualify for loans and lines of credit, but it also improves your business reputation, lowers your borrowing costs, and separates your personal finances from your business.

Here are five of the best ways to start building business credit today:

1. Establish Your Business Legally

Before you can build credit, your business needs to be recognized as a separate legal entity. This usually means registering as an LLC or corporation, getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and opening a business bank account. Lenders and credit bureaus need to see your business as its own entity, not just an extension of you.

2. Open Trade Lines with Vendors

Many suppliers and vendors offer net-30 or net-60 accounts (meaning you have 30–60 days to pay). By opening accounts with vendors who report to credit bureaus, and paying on time (or early), you’ll start to build a positive credit history.

3. Get a Business Credit Card

A business credit card is a simple but powerful tool for building credit. Use it for small business expenses and pay it off in full each month. Consistent, responsible use builds your payment history and improves your credit profile.

4. Keep Your Utilization Low

Credit utilization—the percentage of your available credit you’re using—matters for businesses just like it does for personal credit. Try to use less than 30% of your available credit. This shows lenders you’re responsible and not overextended.

5. Pay On Time, Every Time

The biggest factor in business credit is payment history. Late payments can undo months of progress, while consistent on-time (or early) payments build trust and credibility with lenders and vendors.

Why Business Credit Matters for Your Legacy

Strong business credit doesn’t just help you today—it creates opportunities for future growth. It allows you to scale your business, hire staff, invest in equipment, and ultimately build a company that can outlast you. That’s the kind of financial stewardship that supports your legacy.

 If you’re serious about building business credit but don’t know where to start, coaching can help. We’ll walk you through setting up your business structure, building vendor relationships, and creating a plan to grow your credit step by step.