Summary:
Business credit cards offer excellent advantages to the small business owner with very few disadvantages. This article looks in closer detail at the business credit card.
In the past, many small businesses have struggled to open the line of credit that they need to finance their new venture. However, the business credit card has now been introduced and this has aided small business owners to make purchases of essential items and aid in the start up and maintenance of their company. The business credit card phenomenon is a fast growing trend, and already substantially more than half of small businesses have a credit card tailored specifically towards them. This is because there are several key advantages and only one, very minor, disadvantage.
The Annual Fee
The disadvantage, if you can call it that, of business credit cards is that there is an annual fee. However, when you start to compare business credit cards you will soon notice that this annual fee is only very small. You should, of course, still pay attention to all fees that may be associated with a particular credit card you are looking at but don't let the mention of the annual fee prevent you from looking around.
Credit Limits
Any new business venture is faced with sizable costs ranging from the purchase of furniture to office supplies and these costs soon mount up. Business credit cards usually offer a credit limit as high as $50,000 giving you the capital you require to stock your office and make many any other essential purchases. It is very difficult to find this kind of credit limit anywhere else as a new business.
Employee Expenses And Spending
As well as purchases that the business needs to make as a whole, certain employees may also require the use of company funds for business related purchases and expenses. A business credit card enables you to tightly control and monitor the spending while still offering your employees the funds they require to help make your business a success.
Separating Your Business Credit From Your Personal Credit
Business credit cards are not associated with your own personal credit limit. By keeping your business credit and your personal credit separate, your accounts will be easier to manage and tax returns will be considerably easier than without one. Because your personal credit rating is not taken into account, it also means that it is not reflected in your business transactions.
Business Rewards
Business credit cards are tailored towards businesses and generally offer excellent rewards to businesses. Whereas a personal credit card may offer holiday discounts, a business card may instead offer reduced travel expenses or accommodation.
In order to get the best deal you will need to compare business credit cards from all of the major lenders. Each card will often have its own benefits, its own rates and its own downfalls associated with its use. For this reason you should pay particular attention to spending limits, credit limits, fees and other factors when you compare business credit cards. Obviously, the biggest potential downfall of your new business credit card is the way you use it. A well-managed credit card account can be of huge benefit to your company, whereas a mismanaged account can lead to financial trouble.