14 Amazing Free Chrome Extensions For SEO

Every SEO tool is different, and that includes all the SEO extensions for Chrome. Some have better keyword data, others have better link data, and others give better technical suggestions. I could go on.

In other words, there is no perfect tool, and I really mean that, even though I created Ubersuggest for you.

Plus, paying for a handful of SEO tools is often expensive and unrealistic, but don’t worry because today, I’m about to make your life a bit easier. Here are 14 free chrome extensions for SEO that may help give your site a boost in the SERPs and increase your online visibility.

The best thing about this list? When you combine them, you can tailor the extensions to suit your needs, or combine them all, and you’ve got just about everything you need.

Ready? Here goes.

Extension #1: Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest’s Chrome extension lets you view keyword data right from Google search results.

Ubersuggest's SEO Chrome extension tool.

It also shows you related keywords and their information without ever leaving the SERPs. You can export the data to CSV or click on any of the information headings under “People also search for…” It then takes you to the Ubersuggest dashboard for your chosen keyword.

This information makes it easy to run keyword research at-a-glance automatically from the SERPs.

Extension #2: Moz

Ever wonder what domain authority means? Well, it’s a metric created by Moz. Generally speaking, the higher your domain authority, the higher your rankings are.

Moz created a Chrome extension called MozBar that tells you the domain and page authority for any page on the web.

This extension is handy when you are browsing the internet and researching any potential competitors, as it quickly shows you how you stack up to them.

Additionally, as you go through your rival’s site, you can easily spot their most authoritative pages that need analyzing.

Extension #3: Similar Web

On the web, popularity is everything. We all want more traffic because that means more leads, and although more traffic doesn’t always mean more revenue, it almost always does.

Out of all the available tools, I’ve found that Similar Web gives the most accurate traffic estimations compared to anyone else.

Now, with the Similar Web extension, you can get traffic data without returning to their site.

Similar Web's SEO Chrome extension tool visits over time stats.

The first thing you can see with this extension is traffic data for the last 6 months. It even breaks down the bounce rate, average pages per visit, and visit duration.

Additionally, as you scroll down, you can see what countries the visitors are coming from, making it easier to target your audience by geographical location.

Similar Web's SEO Chrome extension tool geography stats.

Last but not least, it shows you the traffic makeup for each site, too. Is the traffic coming from search engines, social media, referral sources, or even direct traffic to the site? The more you know about your traffic sources, the better you can refine your content/marketing strategy.

Similar Web's SEO Chrome extension tool marketing mix stats.

Extension #4: Redirect Path

Redirect Path isn’t as well-known of an extension, but when you are doing technical SEO, it is a must.

As time goes on, your URLs change. Whether that is from a new structure or if you are deleting old content and consolidating your pages, this extension tells you when something goes wrong.

Through Redirect Path, you can quickly see if a redirect is broken or working correctly.

Redirect Path's SEO Chrome extension tool.

Extension #5: Buzzsumo

While surfing the web, you’ll naturally read some articles, including from your competitors. By using the Buzzsumo extension, you can see how many social shares a given article has and its backlinks.

You can even see the most popular articles from that website based on social sharing and backlink count.

This gives you a good idea about the type of content you need to start producing.

Extension #6: Meta SEO Inspector

Errors can really kill your traffic.

The smallest things like your meta tags can have a big impact on your rankings, so you need to ensure you’ve fully optimized them.

By using Meta SEO Inspector, you can quickly spot if you’ve set up your meta tags correctly.

Meta SEO Inspector's SEO Chrome extension tool.

As you can see from the screenshot above, it reports errors.

With that example, I quickly learned that one of my pages doesn’t have an open graph meta tag. That means when people share the page on the social web, it may not show up correctly, limiting my social media traffic.

Extension #7: Check My Links

Similar to the Redirect Path extension, if you spend a lot of time doing technical SEO and analyzing your competition, the more link data you have, the better.

Let me explain why this tool is so valuable: external links aren’t the only ones that help boost your rankings; knowing your data on internal links is vital, too.

Check My Links gives you all the internal link numbers you need when browsing any page on your site (or your competition’s).

Check My Link's SEO Chrome extension tool.

Not only do you get an overview, but you can also view details on the whole page as this extension highlights each link.

Check My Link's SEO Chrome extension tool highlighting links in a post.

Extension #8: Pagespeed Insights

Load time doesn’t just impact conversions; it also affects your rankings. If your website loads slowly, your prospects won’t wait around. Research from Digital.com shows that 53 percent of web users expect e-commerce websites to load within three seconds.

The study also illustrates how 39 percent of consumers think a website should load within two-three seconds, while 14 percent say they want websites to load in just one second!

Website loading times are all the more important for mobile search users, and there are plenty of them out there, with an estimated 211 million in the United States alone.

Through the Pagespeed Insights extension, you can quickly identify what you need to improve your load time on any website page.

For further information, just click ‘need more,’ and it takes you to a detailed report for more in-depth analysis, like this:

Pagespeed Insight's SEO Chrome extension tool.

When you find many errors, you’ll want to fix them as, over time, it will boost your rankings, which is where the next Chrome extension for SEO comes in.

Extension #9: SEO Minion

SEO is all about the long game.

If you just spend 10 minutes a day making improvements, it can have a huge impact on your traffic a year down the road. However, if you want an easy way to approach this task, our next SEO Chrome extension, SEO Minion, is for you.

One task that I have my team constantly look at through SEO Minion is broken links.

In addition, you can use it to find broken links on other websites, which comes with a bonus: if link building is a priority, then hit them up to replace the broken link with one from your site.

SEO Minion's SEO Chrome extension tool link report.

Another way to grow your SEO traffic is by translating your content into other languages.

This extension also breaks down hreflang data, which is needed when you are targeting other regions and languages.

SEO Minion's SEO Chrome extension tool Hfreflang Checker.

This is a great way to profile your on-page SEO.

SEO Minion's SEO Chrome extension Analyze on page tool.

Extension #10: SEOquake

Need a simple way to get an extensive overview of your website? SEOquake can help you out.

SEO Chrome extension provides a comprehensive overview of things like your Alexa rank, indexing information for Google, Bing, and your SEMrush rank.

From there, you can dive into specific reports such as a density or diagnosis report.

The density report breaks down the keyword density on any given page.

SEOquake's SEO Chrome extension keyword density report tool.

You don’t need to obsess about keyword density, but in general, if you don’t mention a keyword that you want to rank for, then chances are you won’t appear in the top SERPs.

The diagnosis report breaks down on-page SEO elements on any given page.

SEOquake's SEO Chrome extension page SEO audit tool.

And the most used feature of SEOquake is when you perform a Google search. You’re given information on every site that ranks.

SEOquake's SEO Chrome extension tool SERP overview.

Extension #11: Ninja Outreach

Your on-page SEO efforts are pointless without backlinks.

I know you hate this part of SEO, but manual outreach is one of the best ways to build links, even though it is tedious.

One way to make it easier is through Ninja Outreach. This SEO Chrome extension shows you the email addresses associated with a given domain.

Ninja Outreach's SEO Chrome extension tool.

Once you find a relevant site that you want to approach for a backlink opportunity, you can get their contact information through a click of a button and start crafting your custom email.

Extension #12: Keywords Everywhere

This is probably the most popular extension out there for SEOs, and Keywords Everywhere is great for anyone who is doing keyword research.

Just go to Google and type in any keyword that you are interested in going after. Keywords Everywhere shows you a laundry list of other related terms that you can target.

Keyword Everywhere's SEO Chrome extension tool.

You can quickly export the list and then compile a master list of worthwhile keywords you can build your content around.

What’s convenient about Keywords Everywhere is the data is provided right within Google versus having to go to a specific tool.

Extension #13: Fatrank

Although it is a bad habit, as SEOs, we all obsess about rankings.

If you want an easy and free way to track your rankings, you could set up a project on Ubersuggest.

However, you could also check out Fatrank to understand how your website’s performing. Just head to your site, click on the Fatrank Chrome SEO extension and type in a keyword to see if you rank for it.

If you rank in the top 100, it tells you the exact position.

If you don’t, it lets you know that you don’t rank in the top 100.

I use this as a spot check to ensure I’m doing decently well after a major Google algorithm update.

Extension #14: Keyword Surfer

It doesn’t matter if you use Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or SEMrush; there is one thing that all of those tools have in common: you have to keep going back to get the keyword data you need.

Now, wouldn’t it be easier if you could get keyword and backlink insights right in your Google browser? With Keyword Surfer, you can do just that.

When you do a search for anything, you see the global search volume along with the volume in your region.

On top of that, see a list of suggestions and search volume in the sidebar.

And if you scroll down a bit more, you’ll see how many backlinks each result has, which gives you a rough idea of how many links you need to rank in the top 10.

Surfer's SEO Chrome extension tool graphs.

FAQs

What Chrome Extensions For SEO Let Me Check Redirects?

There are several Chrome extensions for SEO you could use for this. They include Link Redirect Path, Redirect Path, and Redirect Check.

How Can I Quickly Check Metatags?

CheckSERP has a free meta tag analyzer. You could also use this free tool from rankwatch.com, or Heymeta.

Conclusion

There are a lot of options when it comes to Chrome extensions for SEO. You just have to find the ones that work well for you.

An easy place to start is with the extensions I mentioned above.

You don’t have to use all of them as it may be a bit overkill, but you can use any one of them or a combination to optimize your site and enhance its overall ranking.

What do you have to lose? Test out these SEO extensions and see what they do for your website rankings.

What other Chrome extensions do you use regularly?

How to Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession – Amazing!

The Fantastic Way to Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession and Get the Financing You Need – Even if the Economy Tanks

Crowdfunding has become all the rage and it’s not surprising. It’s (generally) free money which you do not have to repay. And you can get these funds without needing to give up any ownership or control over your small business. Additionally it can help you to determine the popularity of an idea or a prototype or invention. Because there is no sense in continuing if there is no interest in your design. Still, a lot of entrepreneurs can use crowdfunding to start a business in a recession.

You will need to make a lot of choices before you even launch a startup crowdfunding campaign. And this goes double in an economic downturn.

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession: How Much?

Your very first decision should be: just how much do I need to crowdfund? If you need $1 million, you are going to need to crowdfund more than that. Why? Because that is how crowdfunding platforms make their money– they take a percentage of any money you can raise. Thus, you will need to take that into consideration. Crowdfunding percent charges vary from 4% to 10%.

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession

Discover our business credit and finance guide, jam-packed with new ways to finance your business without emptying your wallet. Save your money during the recession!

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession: Will I Succeed?

Another decision has to do with how successful you think your campaign will be. If you are extremely confident that you will be 100% funded at the end of your campaign, then traditional funding is for you. If you are not sure, then try GoFundMe’s flexible funding.

With flexible funding, you, the campaign runner, can keep your donations even if your campaign falls short. However, for this benefit, you will have to pay a higher fee to GoFundMe. Other crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter don’t offer this option.

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession: What Should I Offer for Perks?

Yes, you will have to offer perks to your donors. Perks can take many forms– buttons, tees, book marks – every one of those are possible tangible perks. Consider a perk format which can sync with your business. If you sell homemade jam, then perhaps create a unique flavor just for the campaign, and offer bigger and bigger-sized jars depending on donation amount.

If you are a horseback riding stable, offer a complimentary lesson or a postcard with a favorite horse’s image on it, or something like that. Does your startup flip houses? Then consider offering a coupon to a neighborhood home supply company (work with them beforehand, of course) or the like.

Pro Tip on Perks

Physical perks are a pain! A lot of people love them, and they will stand out. However, you also have to ship physical perks. International shipping is extremely expensive, even for small items. So if you offer physical perks, specify whether you will allow international donor addresses.

Even if everything has to be shipped in the US, you are still left with working with a data base of names and addresses (a few of which might have misprints or be incomplete) and usually a range of available perks. Did Jane want the stuffed teddy bear or the book mark? Did Alan want the pennant or the tee shirt? Do Jane and Alan live at the same address so perhaps you could mail their perks out together? What if a perk is lost or broken in the mail? And what if it injures someone?

Because of this, if you can do it, try for digital perks. For a house flipping startup, you might record video footage about home design or repair. For a pastry shop, you could offer downloads of recipes. And for a health club, maybe offer digital coupons for a free month of membership.

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession

Discover our business credit and finance guide, jam-packed with new ways to finance your business without emptying your wallet. Save your money during the recession!

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession: Your Campaign

Your campaign’s success is far from assured. However, you can capitalize on a few proven approaches. First off consider these four feelings that you need to engender in donors. Use one or more of them as the focal point of your campaign as a starting point.

Urgency

The first two and last two days of a crowdfunding campaign are pretty much always the days with the biggest payoffs. Often, lengthening the campaign doesn’t make you significantly more money. So why not open a campaign for only a week? Don’t let donors feel they can contribute any old time they feel like it.

Scarcity

If you have thousands of something or other to supply as a perk, it will not be as desirable. If you only have a few copies of a specific perk, that will instill a feeling in some potential donors that they just have to have it. Do this with your larger donation levels only. Therefore, you might want to establish a perk/donation level system similar to this:

Donation Level	Number of Perks
Lowest	1,000
Second lowest	500 (reward also incorporates lowest level reward)
Second highest	50 (reward also includes two lower level rewards)
Highest	10 (reward also incorporates all other levels’ rewards)

Remember: a lot of variety in physical perks will make fulfillment a lot harder, so don’t work with greater than maybe five separate varieties of physical perks– and even that is pushing it.

Novelty

If you are offering the identical thing as a thousand other places, no one will want to make a donation. Your widget needs to be lighter, hotter, cheaper, or more resilient. Your food should be reduced in calories or higher in nutrition or better-tasting. Or your professional services need to be delivered better or quicker, by friendlier and more skilled employees. And it should come with a money back guarantee your competition does not provide.

Cool factor

Is your product a work of art? Is it a new, gadget-like innovation? Then it may have a coolness aspect which you can construct your campaign around. But don’t be discouraged if it isn’t! These days, some of the most unforgettable advertising campaigns are based around a product the majority of people found uninspiring not ten years ago– insurance.

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession: Crowdfunding Strategy

A few words on strategy:

Your Pitch Video Will Need to be Great

Use an expert to film it and develop the script. Are you unable to pay for experts? Then try schools, both pupils and educators. Your script doesn’t need to be verbatim but you should have points you wish to make and not babble. Write a script and stay with it. This is not the right time to ad-lib.

If You Have Tangible Evidence of Your Project, then Make Sure to Present it

Put it in your campaign video and on your campaign page. This means a picture of your health spa’s sign or a short video clip of your prototype robot. A number of people are naturally doubtful about crowdfunding. An image and a tangible thing will go a long way to assuring them that your project isn’t vaporware.

Manners Matter

Say please, thank you, and you’re welcome to everyone. Use these magic words in your pitch and in your communications with your donors, even in the cover letters you deliver with your perks (even internet perks can include a cover email message). You do not have to be servile, but you absolutely must be diplomatic.

In particular, be courteous when you want to use crowdfunding to start a business in a recession. After all, you have no idea what people may be going through.

Don’t be Greedy!

If you need $250,000 for your campaign, but you call for $1,000,000, that will not do anyone any good. You’ll just look like you want to leech off other peoples’ generosity. Instead, explain your expenses as plainly and transparently as possible.

And incidentally, if you misuse your funding, you may end up in an unpleasant meeting with your state’s attorney general. So be truthful!

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession

Discover our business credit and finance guide, jam-packed with new ways to finance your business without emptying your wallet. Save your money during the recession!

Your Stretch Goals Should be a Combination of Readily Achievable and Pie in the Sky

If you are crowdfunding for $100,000, a reasonably easy to attain stretch goal is $125,000. Pie in the sky going to be more like $300,000.

Make it abundantly clear what you will do with any added money if you are fortunate enough to get it. Will you buy the property your startup is in? Employ five more people? Replace your old equipment? Launch a brand-new market on another continent? Let your donors know what you are pursuing, so they can dream with you.

Be Gracious if Your Campaign Fails

Even if you use GoFundMe’s flexible funding option, you still may not receive enough to make an appreciable dent in your funding requirements. If you wanted $100,000 and you just got $500, your best option is to simply give back the money.

If you nearly made it with $95,000, then thank everybody who donated. And see what you can possibly do, although there’s a deficiency. And let them know what you are doing! Maybe you’ll purchase your building next year, or hire four people rather than five.

Once more; give your donors a stake in and an inside look at your startup. This will enable them to feel invested. And they may just opt to make up the deficiency themselves. Even if your crowdfunding campaign concludes does not mean a donor cannot send a check or buy extra goods or services. If that comes about, then politeness is essential.

Start a Business in a Recession with Crowdfunding Credit Suite

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession

Line up the Most Significant and Most Dependable Donors You Can Before You Start

Tell your mother or your brother in law or your former high school soccer coach to postpone on handing over their $1,000 or $10,000 donation till you start your campaign.

And ask them (nicely!) to release their donation at a very precise time. Which time? The initial or final day of the campaign (split the funds as well as you can. If the split isn’t around half and half, then request the larger chunk of donations to come on the very last day of the campaign.

Make the most of the novelty factor of the first day of the campaign, or the urgency factor of the very last. Just like a busker with a couple of her own bucks in her hat, to motivate people to toss in a few bucks for a song, you want your biggest donors to demonstrate to other donors that they believe in you and in your project. And you also want them to suggest your other donors that they had best get in on investing in your startup before the opportunity ends.

Share Your Campaign on Social Media

And ask your family and friends to do so, too. Tweet the link. Incorporate it as a Facebook status. Make it a Tumblr post or a snap on Snapchat or create a blog post about it. Ask your network to publicize the link.

The most effective technique to get your network to help you out is by assisting them in return. If your relative’s rock band is on Facebook, share their page, or tweet about it.

Be a collaborative member of your own personal network. And then your contacts will be more likely to help you out when you ask.

And rerun these social media postings. Considering time zones and our all-too hectic lives, people may not see your message the first time around. Mix it up and deliver it at odd hours (you can oftentimes use scheduling software such as HootSuite for this), including what is the middle of the night where you live.

Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession: Pay it Forward

Finally, if your small business crowdfunding campaign succeeds, think about donating a few dollars to others’ campaigns. Because your business goodwill and a good reputation are priceless. And you never know when the economic pendulum will swing the other way.

The post How to Use Crowdfunding to Start a Business in a Recession – Amazing! appeared first on Credit Suite.

Be Amazing– Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business and Tap into the Noble Spirit of Human Kindness

If you have ever wondered how to use recession crowdfunding to finance your business, then this one is for you! But before you commit to numbers, perks, a pitch, or anything of the sort, be sure to read this first. And, in particular, be sure to read this if that last sentence made no sense to you. Seriously!

And don’t despair – even in a bad economy, crowdfunding is still possible. People still want to believe in your dreams. But you will probably need to lower your expectations on funding totals when everyone is feeling the pinch.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: What Matters

Crowdfunding has become all the rage and there is no wonder. It is (usually) free money which you do not have to pay back. And you can get these funds without having to give up any ownership or control over your small business.

Plus it can help you to gauge the popularity of an idea or a prototype or invention. Because there is no sense in continuing if there is no interest in your handiwork.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: History

Before delving into how to do it, let’s first look at when and how crowdfunding came to be.

A History of Angels

In a way, crowdfunding is the child of angel investing. But what is an angel investor?

According to Investopedia: “Angel investors invest in small startups or entrepreneurs. Often, angel investors are among an entrepreneur’s family and friends. The capital angel investors provide may be a one-time investment to help the business propel or an ongoing injection of money to support and carry the company through its difficult early stages.”

The term comes from Broadway theater. Angels were originally the investors who backed plays, and they still do so. Those people are also called patrons of the arts.

But it Goes Back Even Earlier

The Statue of Liberty was essentially a crowdfunded endeavor. And that was in 1885. But it goes back more than that, as war bonds are a species of crowdfunding. Plus in the 1730s, the London mercantile community saved the Bank of England by supporting the currency. This averted a confidence disaster.

Heck, even the bank scenes in It’s a Wonderful Life show a form of nascent crowdfunding, because the citizens of the town forego full payments to help each other out.

Back to the Present

And then we get to crowdfunding on the internet. Kickstarter, for example, was started in 2009. And ArtistShare goes back to 2003. Today, there are several crowdfunding platforms. They handle everything from inventions to artistic endeavors to medical bills.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: Decisions, Decisions

So let’s get started. But you will have to make a lot of choices before you even start a business crowdfunding campaign.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: How much?

Your first decision should be: how much do I need to crowdfund? If you need $1 million, you are going to have to crowdfund more than that.

Why? Because that is how crowdfunding platforms make their money. They take a percentage of whatever money you can raise. Therefore, you will need to take that into consideration. Crowdfunding percentage charges range from 4% to 10%.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: Will I succeed?

Another decision is about how successful you believe your campaign is going to be. If you are super confident that you will be 100% funded at the end of your campaign, then traditional funding will be for you.

But if you are not sure, then try something like GoFundMe’s flexible funding. With flexible funding, you, the campaign runner, can keep your donations even if your campaign fails. But for this privilege, you will have to pay a higher fee to GoFundMe.

Other crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter do not offer this option.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: What should I offer for perks?

Yes, you will have to offer perks to your donors. Perks can take several forms. Consider buttons, tee shirts, book marks – all of those are possible physical perks.

Think about a perk format which can dovetail with your business. If you sell homemade jam, then maybe create a special flavor just for the campaign. And offer bigger and bigger-sized jars depending on donation amount. If you are a horseback riding stable, offer a free lesson or a postcard with a favorite horse’s picture on it, or the like. Does your business flip houses? Then consider offering a coupon to a local home supply company or the like. But do work with them beforehand, of course.

Physical versus Virtual Perks

Pro tip: physical perks are a pain! A lot of people love them, and they will attract attention. But physical perks also need to be shipped. International shipping is extremely expensive, even for small items. So if you offer physical perks, specify if you will allow international donor addresses.

And even if everything has to be shipped in America, you are still left with dealing with a database of names and addresses. And some of which might have typos or be incomplete.

Plus you often have to deal with a variety of available perks. Did Jane want the stuffed teddy bear or the bookmark? Did Alan want the pennant or the tee shirt? Do Jane and Alan live at the same address so maybe you can combine their perks?

What happens if a perk is lost or damaged in the mail?

Therefore, if you can do it, try for virtual perks. For a house flipping company, you might record videos about home decorating or repairs. Or for a bakery, you could offer downloads of recipes. And for a health club, maybe offer electronic coupons for a free month of membership.

Give the People what they (think they) Want

There is absolutely nothing wrong with just going ahead and asking your potential donors about what they might like for perks. They might surprise you. Of course, the final decision will be your own.

But this is an excellent means of investing your donors and potential donors in the process. This is far more vital than you may think. That is because, when the donors are invested in your process, they will be invested in you. And they will want very badly for you to succeed. This will stand you in good stead if you have delays. And it will also help you out, big time, when your company is up and running.

Furthermore, if you ever crowdfund again, treating your donors right and giving them a seat at the table will assure that they just might follow you to your next campaign.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: Your Campaign

Your campaign’s success will be far from guaranteed. But you can take advantage of a few known strategies. First of all consider these four feelings that you want to engender in donors. Use one or more of them as the centerpiece of your campaign as a starting point. We will start with two today and the other two in the next post.

Urgency

The first two and last two days of a crowdfunding campaign are nearly always the days with the biggest payoffs. Often, dragging out the campaign does not make you significantly more money.

So why not open a campaign for just a week? Do not let donors think they can contribute any old time they feel like it. If you give them the feeling that they had better act now, or else lose out, you will get more people to donate.

The fear of missing out is a very real thing.

Demolish your funding problems with our rock-solid guide about 27 killer ways to get cash for your business. Get money even during the worst of a recession.

Scarcity

If you have thousands of something or other to offer as a perk, it will not be as desirable to your donors. But if you only have one or two of a particular perk, that will create a feeling in some people that they just have to have it. Scarcity can create a bit of anxiety in your donors. And you do want that.

So do this with your higher donation levels only. Therefore, you might want to set up a perk/donation level scheme which looks something like this:

Donation Level	Number of Perks
Lowest	1,000
Second lowest	500 (this reward also includes the lowest level reward)
Middle	100 (this reward also includes the two lower level rewards)
Second highest	50 (this reward also includes the three lower level rewards)
Highest	10 (this reward also includes all of the other level rewards)

But be sure to remember: a lot of variation in physical perks will make fulfillment a lot harder. So do not work with more than maybe five separate types of physical perks. And even that is pushing it. After all, look at the complexity already inherent in five tiers (see the table, above).

Multiply that by all of the donors you get to your campaign. Larger platforms offer software for fulfillment purposes. It will nearly always be best to work with it.

But if you have to do it all yourself, then seriously consider no more than three tiers. Trust me. You will thank me later.

Novelty

If you are offering the same thing as a thousand other places, no one will want to make a donation. Your widget has to be lighter, hotter, cheaper, or more durable. Your food has to be lower in calories or higher in nutrition. Or at least it should be better-tasting.

Or your services have to be delivered better, by friendlier and more knowledgeable people. And they should come with a money back guarantee your competitors just plain do not offer.

Think about how services or goods can differentiate themselves. Why do some people prefer Macs? Why do others prefer PCs? And why do some people want to get their insurance from Progressive? But others want theirs from Liberty Mutual.

Consumer choice, particularly in the United States these days, is huge! So offering true novelty can be a way to try to get beyond all of that clutter. And it is a lot of clutter indeed. Have you been to a toothpaste aisle in a drug store lately? Yeah. It is just like that.

Cool factor

Is your product a form of art? Is it a new, gadget-like invention?

Then it might have a coolness factor. And then you can build your campaign around that. But do not be discouraged if it is not! These days, some of the most memorable ad campaigns are based around a product most people found dull not ten years ago – insurance.

Now is the time for us to get back into the nitty gritty of the crowdfunding campaign itself.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: Strategy

Here are a few words on strategy.

There’s the Windup and here’s the Pitch!

You will not get anywhere without a pitch video. Yes, even you, you camera shy business owner, you!

Your pitch video needs to be good. Use a professional to film it and write the script. Can’t afford professionals? Then try schools, both students and teachers. Your script does not have to be word for word. But you should have points you want to make and not ramble. A script will help you to focus on exactly what you need to say. This is absolutely not the time to wing it.

Taking time with a script will show in every frame of the finished product. And your professional film maker? They might be charging you by the hour. So it is a really good idea to spend some time on a script or at least an outline of one. Do this before your professional film maker goes on the clock.

Evidence, Your Honor

If you have physical evidence of your project, show it in your campaign video and on your campaign page. This means a picture of your health club’s sign. Or it could be a short video of your prototype robot.

A lot of people are understandably skeptical about crowdfunding. A picture and a tangible thing will go a long way to assuring them that your project is not vaporware.

Demolish your funding problems with our rock-solid guide about 27 killer ways to get cash for your business. Get money even during the worst of a recession.

Your Mother Was Right

Manners matter. ALWAYS. Say please, thank you, and you’re welcome to everyone. Use these magic words in your pitch and in your communications with your donors. And even use them in the cover letters you send with your perks. This is because even virtual perks can come with a cover email. And they should, as that is another chance to connect with your donors.

Greed is Not Good

Do not get greedy! If you need $250,000 for your campaign, but you ask for $1,000,000, that does not do anyone any good. You will just look like you want to freeload off others’ generosity.

Instead, work hard to account for your expenses as clearly and transparently as possible. And by the way, if you misuse your funds, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable meeting with your state’s attorney general. So always, always, ALWAYS be honest!

If you need help, then hire an accountant or at least a bookkeeper. Much like with your pitch video, if you are low on cash, you can then try a local school.

Keep Your Feet on the Ground, and Your Head in the Clouds

Your stretch goals should be a mix of easily attainable and pie in the sky. If you are crowdfunding for $100,000, a fairly easy to attain stretch goal could be $125,000. Pie in the sky could be $300,000. Only you know your donors, or at least you know some of them. Be realistic about your prospects when it comes to your base. But for stretch goals, feel free to go just a little bit wild.

Make it abundantly clear what you will do with any extra cash if you are fortunate enough to get it. Will you buy the building your business is in? Hire five more people? Replace your old equipment? Open up a new market on another continent? Let your donors know what you are striving for.

This is also an excellent way to help get your donors to feel more invested in your project.

Grace is Amazing

Be gracious if your campaign fails. Even if you use GoFundMe’s flexible funding option, you still might not get enough to make a dent in your funding needs. And of course with most forms of crowdfunding, you have to give everything back no matter what.

But let’s look at how to handle this kind of a situation if you took advantage of the flexible funding option.

Make an executive decision about the funds. If you wanted $100,000 and you only got $500, then your best bet is to just return the money. This kind of a shortfall should also give you a reason to take a good, hard look at your pitch, your campaign, and even your idea. Maybe you are being overly optimistic. A bad failure in crowdfunding can have a way of throwing a bucket of cold water on your dream, yes. But sometimes, that is exactly what you need.

If you almost made it with $95,000, then thank everyone who donated. And see what you can do, even though you have a shortfall. But also tell them what you are doing! Maybe you really will buy your building next year, or hire four people instead of five. Once again, get your donors invested in what you are doing. It will make an enormous difference.

Timing is everything

Line up the biggest donors you can before you get started. Talk to your mother or your brother in law or your former high school football coach. And ask them to hold off on handing over their $1,000 or $10,000 donation until you start your campaign.

Also ask them (nicely!) to release their funds at a very specific time. Which time? The best times will always be the first or last day of the campaign.

Take advantage of the novelty factor of the first day of the campaign. Or take advantage of the urgency factor on the last day of your campaign.

Think about the busker (street musician) with a few of her own dollars in her hat, to encourage people to throw a few bucks for a song. Taking your cue from her, you want your biggest donors to show other donors that they have confidence in you and in your project.

Demolish your funding problems with our rock-solid guide about 27 killer ways to get cash for your business. Get money even during the worst of a recession.

When You Care, You Share

Make sure to share your campaign on social media. And always ask your friends and family to do so, too. Tweet the link. Add it as a Facebook status. Make it a Tumblr post or a snap on Snapchat. Or write a blog post about it. Be proud of what you are doing! Tell the world!

Also, ask your network to circulate the link. The best way to get your network to help you out is by helping them in return. So if your cousin’s band is on Facebook, share their page, or tweet about it.

Be a cooperative member of your own personal community. And then your network will be far more likely to help you out when you ask.

Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business: Takeaways

Finally, if your small business recession crowdfunding campaign is successful, consider donating a few bucks to others’ campaigns. Or at least donate a few dollars to charity. And this is because business goodwill and a good reputation are going to be priceless. Karma in crowdfunding matters.

The post Be Amazing– Use Recession Crowdfunding to Finance Your Business appeared first on Credit Suite.

13 Amazing Free Chrome Extensions For SEO

Every SEO tool is different.

Some have better keyword data, others have better link data,
others give better technical suggestions… in other words, there is no
perfect tool.

And I really mean that, even though I created Ubersuggest for you.

Plus paying for a handful of SEO tools can be expensive and
isn’t realistic.

But don’t worry, because today, I’m about to make your life a bit easier. Here are 13 free chrome extensions that will help you with your SEO.

What’s beautiful is that when you combine them all, you’ll have everything you need.

So here goes.

Extension #1: Keyword Surfer

It doesn’t matter if you use Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or SEMrush…
there is one thing that all of those tools have in common.

You as a user have to keep going back to them to get the
keyword data you need.

Wouldn’t it be easier if you can get keyword insights and some backlink insights right in your Google browser?

With Keyword Surfer, you can get insights through Google’s interface. So, when you do a search for anything, you see the global search volume as well as the volume within your region.

On top of that, you’ll see a list of suggestions and search volume in the sidebar.

And if you scroll down a bit more you’ll see how many backlinks
each result has, which gives you a rough idea of how many links you need to
rank in the top 10.

Extension #2: Moz

Domain authority is a metric made up by Moz. Generally speaking, the higher your domain authority, the higher your rankings are.

Moz created a Chrome extension called Mozbar
that tells you the domain authority and page authority for any page on the web.

This extension is handy when you are browsing the web and
researching any potential competitors as it will quickly show you how you stack
up to them and as you are going through their site you can easily spot their
most authoritative pages that you need to analyze.

Extension #3: Similar Web

On the web, popularity is everything. We all want more
traffic.

Although more traffic doesn’t always mean more revenue, in
most cases it does.

Out of all the tools out there, I’ve found that Similar Web
gives the most accurate traffic estimations compared to anyone else.

Now with the Similar Web extension, you can get traffic data without going back to their site.

The first thing you can see with this extension is traffic
data for the last 6 months. It even breaks down the bounce rate, average pages
per visit, and visit duration.

And as you scroll down you’ll be able to see what countries the
visitors are coming from.

Last, but not least, it shows you the traffic makeup for each site as well. Is the traffic coming from search engines, social media, referral sources, or even direct traffic to the site?

Extension #4: Redirect Path

Redirect Path isn’t as well-known of an extension, but when you are doing technical SEO it is a must.

As time goes on, your URLs are going to change. Whether that is from a new structure or if you are deleting old content and consolidating your pages, this extension will tell you when something goes wrong.

Through Redirect Path, you can quickly see if a redirect is broken or working correctly.

Extension #5: Buzzsumo

Whether you love or hate Facebook, it’s still a popular site
that can drive a lot of traffic.

As you are surfing the web, you’ll naturally end up reading some articles. Some of them will be on your competitor’s site and you may be wondering if the article did well or not.

Using the Buzzsumo extension, you can see how many social shares a given article has as well as their backlinks.

You can even see all the most popular articles from that website based on social sharing and backlink count.

This will give you a good idea about the type of content you need to start producing.

Extension #6: Meta SEO Inspector

Errors can really kill your traffic.

The smallest things like your meta tags can have a big impact on your rankings, so you’ll want to make sure they are fully optimized.

Using Meta SEO Inspector, you can quickly see if your meta tags are set up correctly.

As you can see from the screenshot above, it reports errors.

With that example, I quickly learned that one of my pages doesn’t have an open graph meta tag. That means that when people share that page on the social web, it may not show up correctly, meaning I won’t get as much social media traffic.

Extension #7: Check My Links

Similar to the Redirect Path extension as you are spending more time doing technical SEO and analyzing your competition, the more link data you have the better.

And external links aren’t the only ones that can help boost
your rankings.

Knowing data on internal links is important as well.

Check
My Links will give you all of the internal links numbers you need when
browsing any page on your site (or your competition’s).

And not only will you see an overview, but you can also get
details on the whole page as this extension highlights each link.

Extension #8: Pagespeed Insights

Load time doesn’t just impact conversions, it also impacts your rankings.

With nearly 60% of the searches being done from mobile devices, your load time is now more important than ever.

Through the Pagespeed Insights extension, you can quickly see what you need to do to improve your load time on any page on your site.

And if you see a score you don’t like, just click “need more” and it will take you to a detailed report that will give you feedback like this:

When you find a lot of errors, you’ll want to fix them as
over time it will boost your rankings.

Extension #9: SEO Minion

SEO is all about the long game.

If you just spend 10 minutes a day making improvements, it can have a huge impact on your traffic a year down the road.

An easy way to get work done each day is through SEO
Minion.

One task that I have my team constantly look at through SEO Minion is broken links.

You’ll want to fix any on your website. In addition, you can use it to find broken links on other websites and then hit them up to replace the broken link to one from your site.

Another way to grow your SEO traffic is by translating your content into other languages.

This extension also breaks down hreflang data, which is needed when you are targeting other regions and languages.

You’ll be given data on your on-page SEO.

Extension #10: SEOquake

SEOquake is the easiest way to get a detailed overview of your site.

The extension provides a detailed overview of things like your Alexa rank, indexing information for Google and Bing as well as your SEMrush rank.

From there, you can dive into specific reports such as a density or diagnosis report.

The density report breaks down the keyword density on any
given page.

You don’t need to obsess about keyword density, but in general, if you don’t mention a keyword that you want to rank for then chances are you won’t rank for it.

The diagnosis report breaks down on-page SEO elements on any given page.

And the most used feature of SEOquake is when you perform a
Google search. You’re given information on every site that ranks.

Extension #11: Ninja Outreach

No matter how much on-page SEO you do, you won’t rank well if you don’t build any links.

I know you hate this part of SEO, but manual outreach is one of the best ways to build links even though it is tedious.

One way to make it easier is through Ninja
Outreach. This extension shows you all of the email addresses associated
with a given domain.

Once you find a relevant site that you want to approach for
a backlink opportunity, you can get their contact information through a click
of a button and start crafting your custom email.

Extension #12: Keywords Everywhere

This is probably the most popular extension out there for
SEOs.

Keywords Everywhere is great for anyone who is doing keyword research.

Just go to Google and type in any keyword that you are interested in going after. Keywords Everywhere will show you a laundry list of other related terms that you can go after as well.

You can quickly export the list and then compile a master
list of keywords that are worth targeting.

What’s convenient about Keywords Everywhere is the data is
provided right within Google versus having to go to a specific tool.

Extension #13: Fatrank

Although it is a bad habit, as SEOs, we all obsess about rankings.

If you want an easy and free way to track your rankings, just set up a project on Ubersuggest.

Another easy solution to see how you are ranking is by using
Fatrank.

All you have to do is head to your site, click on the Fatrank extension, and type in a keyword to see if you rank for it.

If you rank in the top 100, it will tell you the exact
position.

If you don’t, it will let you know that you don’t rank in
the top 100.

I use this as a spot check to make sure I am doing decently
well after a major Google
algorithm update.

Conclusion

There are a lot of options when it comes to SEO. You just
have to find the ones that work well for you.

An easy place to start is with the extensions I mentioned
above.

You don’t have to use all of them as it may be a bit
overkill… but you can use any one of them or a combination to make sure your
site is optimized.

What do you have to lose? Test them out as they are free.

What other Chrome extensions do you use on a regular basis?

The post 13 Amazing Free Chrome Extensions For SEO appeared first on Neil Patel.

Get Amazing Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Business Credit Cards With Rewards? They Can Be Yours! Get business credit cards with rewards now. We checked out a ton of business credit cards with rewards and did the research for you. So, here are our picks. Per the SBA, company credit card limits are a whopping 10 – 100 times that of consumer … Continue reading Get Amazing Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Get Amazing Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Business Credit Cards With Rewards? They Can Be Yours!

Get business credit cards with rewards now.

We checked out a ton of business credit cards with rewards and did the research for you. So, here are our picks.

Per the SBA, company credit card limits are a whopping 10 – 100 times that of consumer cards!

This shows you can get a lot more money with small business credit. And it also means you can have personal credit cards at retailers. So, you would now have an extra card at the same retailers for your business.

And you will not need collateral, cash flow, or financial data to get small business credit.

Business Credit Cards With Rewards: Benefits

Perks can differ. So, make sure to pick the perk you like from this variety of options.

Unbeatable Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Ink Business Preferred ℠ Credit Card

So check this out when you’re looking at business credit cards with rewards. Get a look at the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card from Chase. Cardholders earn 3 points for every dollar spent on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone and qualifying advertising with the card. So, this is up to $150,000 each year. And all other purchases earn an unlimited one point per dollar spent.

This is a Visa credit card.

Cardholders get benefits like purchase protection, trip cancellation or interruption insurance. They also get cellphone protection. And they get extended warranty coverage. And they get an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Details

Get 80,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the initial 3 months from account opening. There is an annual fee of $95. You can add employee credit cards at no additional cost.

This credit card only offers 3 points per dollar to a limit of $150,000 a year. So, this is for travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone and qualifying advertising. All other purchases earn an unlimited flat rate of one point per dollar. And there is no introductory APR

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/small-business-credit-cards/ink-business-preferred

Terrific Business Credit Cards For Cash Back

SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express

Take a look at the SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express. There is a $0 yearly fee. And there is a 0% APR on purchases So this is for the initial 15 months an account is open.

But when the introductory period runs out, the APR for purchases is 14.24 to 21.24%. So, this is variable and based on creditworthiness.

Details

This card has several benefits. These include purchase protection, car rental loss and damage insurance. And they also include a baggage insurance plan, extended warranty coverage and a global assist hotline.

Also, get 5% cash back at US office supply stores and on wireless telephone services. So, these must be bought from United States providers. But this pertains to the initial $50,000 of annual spending. Then, you earn 1% cash back.

You also get 3% cash back on spending category of your choice. So, this is from eight distinct categories. They include airfare, gas, advertising and computer purchases. But it applies to the first $50,000 of annual spending. Then, you earn 1% cash back.

Cash-back bonuses are automatically credited to the customer’s billing statement.

Note: you cannot use this card for balance transfers. There is a foreign transaction fee of 2.7%. The card charges up to $38 in late fees. And the returned check fee is also $38. The penalty APR is 29.99%.

And, it applies if you have two or more late payments within 12 months. It can also apply if you fail to make the minimum payment on time or have a returned payment.

Get it here: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/credit-cards/simply-cash-plus-business-credit-card/44279

Capital One® Quicksilver® Card

Make sure to check out the Capital One® Quicksilver® Card. It offers flat-rate rewards of 1.5% on all purchases. There are no limits to the amount of cash back rewards that cardholders can earn. Also, the card has a $0 annual fee.

New cardholders have a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after opening the account. Then afterwards they have a 14.74 – 24.74% (variable) APR after that.

A cash bonus of $150 is on offer for those who make a minimum of $500 in purchases in 3 months of account opening.

Details

Also, cash back rewards do not expire for the life of the account. And there is no limit to how much you can earn.

This credit card also offers travel accident insurance. And you get an auto rental collision damage waiver. There are no foreign transaction fees. And there is extended warranty coverage.

Downsides are the flat reward rate, not allowing for any more than that. And the higher APR after the first 15 months.

Get it here: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilver/

Establish business credit fast with our research-backed guide to 12 business credit cards and lines.

Small Business Credit Cards with 0% APR – Pay Absolutely Nothing! A Terrific Alternative to Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card has no yearly fee and comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the initial nine months. Afterwards, the card has a 13.24 – 23.24% variable APR

Earn 3 points/dollar spent when you book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points/dollar on all other purchases. You can get unlimited points and points never expire.

Details

There is a 25,000-point sign-up bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 60 days of opening up the account. Cardholders get travel accident insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.

They additionally get trip cancellation coverage, trip delay reimbursement and other perks.

There is no introductory rate for balance transfers. Also, bonus categories are limited.

Get it here: https://www.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/credit-cards/products/travel-rewards-business-credit-card/

JetBlue Plus Card

Consider the JetBlue Plus Card for yet another offer of a 0% introductory APR

Get six points/dollar on JetBlue purchases, two points/dollar at restaurants and grocery stores. And get one point/dollar on all other purchases.

Details

Spend $1,000 in the initial 90 days and pay the annual fee, and earn 40,000 bonus points. New cardholders receive a 12 month, 0% initial APR on balance transfers made in 45 days of account opening.

Afterwards, the variable APR on purchases and balance transfers is 17.99%, 21.99% or 26.99%, based upon creditworthiness. Benefits include a free first checked bag and 50% savings on in-flight purchases.

There is a $99 annual fee for this card.

Get it here: https://cards.barclaycardus.com/cards/jetblue-card/

Remarkable Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fee – a Great Complement to Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Uber Visa Card

Check out the Uber Visa Card. Uber is the very first ride-sharing service to offer a credit card, in a partnership with Visa and Barclays.

The card offers 4% back per dollar spent at restaurants, takeout and bars, including UberEATS. Also, earn 3% back on hotel, airfare and vacation home rentals. And earn 2% back on online purchases.

So, this includes retailers and subscription services like Uber and Netflix. And earn 1% back on all other purchases. Each percent/point has a value of 1 cent. Redeem points for cash back, gift cards or Uber credits directly in the app.

By spending a minimum of $500 in the first 90 days, users can earn a $100 sign-up bonus. Cardholders spending at least $5,000 yearly are eligible to receive a $50 credit toward online subscription services.

Details

If you pay your cell phone bill with this card, you are insured up to $600 for cellphone damage or theft.

Cardholders are eligible for exclusive access to certain events and offers. Uber anticipates the majority of these offers will be available in major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and DC. There is no foreign transaction fee.

But there is no introductory rate. The APR is a variable 16.99%, 22.74% or 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Cardholders with less than stellar credit will be on the higher end of the range.

Also, there are restrictions on Uber credits. To redeem points as credits within the Uber app, accumulate at least 500 points, or $5. Cardholders can convert a maximum of 50,000 points, or $500, per day.

Get it here: https://www.uber.com/c/uber-credit-card/

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Not taking Uber? Then you’ll want to fill your gas tank in some way. Why not do so with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi?

This card earns cash back with every purchase. Get 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on eligible gas purchases annually (1% after that). Get 3% cash back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases. Also, get 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com. And earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Note: the $0 annual fee is only for Costco members. And an active Costco membership is required. Cardholders will get access to damage and theft purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and travel accident insurance.

Also, there is no sign-up bonus available with this card.

Get it here: https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-business-credit-card

Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

Check out the Ink Business Cash ℠ Credit Card. Small businesses can earn cash back with every purchase. Spend $3,000 in the first three months from account opening. And you’ll get a $500 bonus cash back.

There is a $0 yearly fee with a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR is a 15.24 – 21.24% variable.

The credit card features travel and purchase coverage benefits. So, this includes an auto rental collision damage waiver and extended warranty protection.

Details

Earn extra cash back on business categories. So, these include office supply stores, telecommunications, gas stations and restaurants.

Note: this card has a balance transfer fee. Pay 5% of the amount transferred or $5, whichever is more. Also, there is a foreign transaction fee of 3%.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/small-business-credit-cards/ink-cash

United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

Get a good look at the United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card.

Get 2 miles/dollar with United and at restaurants, filling stations and office supply stores. All other purchases earn 1 mile/dollar. Earn a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 in the initial three months from account opening.

Benefits include priority boarding, a free first checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation.

Details

Also, get two United Club passes annually. And get hotel and resort perks including upgrades. On top of that, get early check-in and late checkout. And get an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Also, get baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Finally, get trip delay reimbursement, purchase protection, price protection and concierge service.

After the first year, the card has an annual fee of $95. APR of 17.99% – 24.99%, based on creditworthiness.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/small-business-credit-cards/united-mileageplus-explorer-business

Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

Another option is the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express.

This card is for those who stay at Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott hotels often. Get six points per dollar of eligible purchases at participating SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels.

And get four points per dollar at US restaurants, American filling stations, and on American purchases for shipping.

Also, get four points to the dollar on wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service providers. For all other eligible purchases, get two points per dollar.

Details

Earn 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. Benefits include free in-room premium internet access, Sheraton Club lounge access, and purchase protection.

Plus, you get car rental loss and damage insurance. And you get baggage insurance. There is also a global assistance hotline. And there is a roadside assistance hotline. And get travel accident insurance and extended warranty coverage.

The biggest issue is the annual fee. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then it’s $95 after that. Plus, there is no 0% introductory APR. Instead, there is a 17.74 – 26.74% variable APR

Get it here: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/business/business-credit-cards/spg-amex-starwood-credit-card

Reliable Low APR/Balance Transfers Business Credit Cards

Discover it® Cash Back

Look at the Discover it® Cash Back card. There is a 10.99% introductory APR for six months from date of first transfer. So, this is for transfers under this offer which post to your account by January 10, 2019.

After the introductory APR expires, your APR will be 14.99% to 23.99%. So, this is based on your creditworthiness. Your APR will vary with the market, which is based upon the Prime Rate.

Details

You can earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter. So, these are establishments like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs. But this is up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. Also, automatically earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

You will get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you have gotten at the end of your first year, automatically.

Get it here: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/it-card.html

Credit Builder Company Credit Cards – Make Your Credit Surge!

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Make sure to look at the Discover it® Student Cash Back card. It has no yearly fee. The credit card also has a six-month introductory period of 0% APR on purchases. And there is an APR of 14.99 – 23.99% variable on all purchases after that period.

One one-of-a-kind feature is that it provides an incentive for scholars to maintain good grades with a $20 statement credit. If scholars earn a GPA of 3.0 or better each school year, the card will award the $20 statement credit every year for up to five years.

Details

Use this credit card to build personal credit. While this is a personal card versus a company card, for new credit users, their FICO scores will be vital. And this card offers an excellent way to raise FICO while also getting rewards.

You can earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants or Amazon.com up to the quarterly maximum. After that, this card offers unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.

In the first year, all cash back rewards are matched 100%.

Downsides include a cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. And although they waive the first late payment fee, a fee of up to $37 applies on all other late payments. There is also a returned payment fee of up to $37.

Get it here: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/it-card.html

Secure Business Credit Cards for Average Credit

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

For fair credit, we like the Capital One Spark Classic for Business. It has no annual fee. There are cash-back rewards. The card gets an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. There is an annual fee of $0.

With this card, you will get benefits including an auto rental collision damage waiver, and purchase security. And you also get extended warranty coverage. And you get travel and emergency assistance services.

But KEEP IN MIND: the ongoing APR is 24.74% variable APR. And the penalty APR is even higher, 31.15%. Also, there is no sign-up bonus.

Get it here: https://www.capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/spark-classic/

Establish business credit fast with our research-backed guide to 12 business credit cards and lines.

Small Business Credit Cards for Luxurious Travel Points

Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business

Be sure to check out the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business card. So, with this card, you can earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. When you spend $4,500 within the first 3 months of opening an account, you can earn 50,000 miles. So, that is worth $500 in travel.

Benefits for cardholders include an auto rental collision damage waiver, and purchase security. And they also include extended warranty coverage. And you get travel and emergency assistance services.

Cardholders will pay $0 introductory for first year. But they will pay $95 after that for the annual fee.

There is no 0% APR for purchases or balance transfers with this card. The APR is 18.74% (variable).

Get it here: https://www.capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/spark-miles/

Establish business credit fast with our research-backed guide to 12 business credit cards and lines.

IHG ® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

Consider the IHG ® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. it earns hotel rewards worldwide. For each dollar spent at participating IHG hotels, get 10 points. Earn two points per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants.

And all, other purchases earn one point. New cardholders can get an 80,000-point sign-up bonus when they spend $2,000 in the first three months of account opening.

Details

This card provides a free one-night hotel stay annually. Plus, there is a range of benefits like travel and purchase coverage and an upgrade to Platinum Elite status with the IHG Rewards Club. The club offers complimentary room upgrades when available and guaranteed room availability.

The biggest issue is that the card does not offer a zero percent APR introductory rate. And the standard APR is 17.99 – 24.99% variable. Also, the annual fee is $89.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/ihg/premiernaep

Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card

This credit card earns six points/dollar spent at participating Marriott and SPG hotels. And get two points/dollar on all other purchases.

Spend $3,000 in the first three months from account opening and get two free night awards (each worth up to 35,000 points).

Cardholders get access to perks including a free one-night stay yearly after account anniversary. Also get travel and purchase protection. So, this includes free standard in-room Wi-Fi and priority late checkout.

Details

Perks include baggage delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement. There is also trip delay reimbursement. And there is purchase protection. In addition, there are concierge service and automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a 20% bonus on points.

Spend $35,000 each account year, and get an upgrade to Gold Elite status. So, that includes a complimentary room upgrade, free daily breakfast and 4 PM late checkout.

So there is an annual fee of $95. The APR is a 17.99– 24.99% variable.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/marriott/apply

Ironclad Secured Credit Cards

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card

Look at the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card. It charges a $25 yearly fee per credit card (up to 10 employee cards). It also requires a minimum security deposit of $500 (up to $25,000) and it is meant to help cardholders develop or rebuild their credit.

Pick this card if you wish to get 1.5% per dollar in purchases with no limits or get one point for every dollar in purchases. You also earn 1,000 bonus points for every month your company makes $1,000 in purchases on the card.

Details

Also, you get free FICO scores every month. There are no foreign transaction fees. So it is possible to upgrade to unsecured credit. Your account is regularly reviewed. And you may become eligible for an upgrade to an unsecured card with responsible use over time. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on factors including how you manage this and your other accounts.

APR is the current prime rate plus 11.90%. There is no introductory APR period and no sign-up bonus. This is not a credit card for balance transfers.

So, get it here: https://www.wellsfargo.com/biz/business-credit/credit-cards/secured-card/

The Perfect Business Credit Cards With Rewards for You

Your outright best business credit cards with rewards will hinge on your credit history and scores.

Only you can select which features you want and need. So, make sure to do your homework. What is outstanding for you could be disastrous for other people.

So, as always, be sure to develop credit in the recommended order for the best, quickest benefits.

The post Get Amazing Business Credit Cards With Rewards appeared first on Credit Suite.

Get an Amazing Building Business Credit Card

Get the Best Building Business Credit Card

We checked out every building business credit card we could find and did the research for you. So, here are our preferences.

Per the SBA, small business credit card limits are a whopping 10 – 100 times that of personal credit cards!

This reveals you can get a lot more money with small business credit. And it also means you can have personal credit cards at retail stores. So, you would now have an extra card at the same stores for your business.

And you will not need collateral, cash flow, or financials to get small business credit.

Building Business Credit Card Advantages

Perks vary. So, make sure to choose the perk you would prefer from this array of options.

Building Business Credit Cards – Make Your Credit Surge!

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Be sure to check out the Discover it® Student Cash Back card. It has no yearly fee. The credit card also has a six-month introductory period of 0% APR on purchases. And there is an APR of 14.99 – 23.99% variable on all purchases after that period.

One special feature is that it provides an incentive for students to maintain good grades with a $20 statement credit. If students earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher each school year, the card will award the $20 statement credit annually for up to five years.

Details

Use this card to build personal credit. While this is a personal credit card versus a business credit card, for new credit users, their FICO scores will matter. And this credit card offers an excellent way to raise FICO while also getting rewards.

You can get 5% cash back at different places each quarter like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants or Amazon.com up to the quarterly maximum. After that, this credit card offers unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.

In the initial year, all cash back rewards are matched 100%.

Downsides include a cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is more. And though they waive the first late payment fee, a fee of up to $37 applies on all other late payments. There is also a returned payment fee of up to $37.

Get it here: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/it-card.html

Secure Business Credit Cards for Average Credit: A Great Alternative to a Building Business Credit Card

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

For average credit, we like the Capital One Spark Classic for Business. It has no yearly fee. There are cash-back rewards. The card earns an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. There is an annual fee of $0.

But KEEP IN MIND: the ongoing APR is 24.74% variable APR. And the penalty APR is even higher, 31.15%. Also, there is no sign-up bonus.

Get it here: https://www.capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/spark-classic/

Ironclad Secured Credit Cards: A Consideration When Looking at a Building Business Credit Card

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card

Have a look at the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card. It charges a $25 annual fee per card (up to 10 employee cards). It also requires a minimum security deposit of $500 (up to $25,000) and it is designed to help cardholders build or rebuild their credit.

Select this card if you wish to get 1.5% per dollar in purchases without any limits or earn one point for every dollar in purchases. You also earn 1,000 bonus points for every month your company makes $1,000 in purchases on the card.

Details

Also, you get free FICO scores every month. There are no foreign transaction fees. It is possible to upgrade to unsecured credit. Your account is regularly reviewed. And you may become eligible for an upgrade to an unsecured card with responsible use over time. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on factors including how you manage this and your other accounts.

APR is the current prime rate plus 11.90%. There is no introductory APR period and no sign-up bonus. This is not a card for balance transfers.

Get it here: https://www.wellsfargo.com/biz/business-credit/credit-cards/secured-card/

Reliable Low APR/Balance Transfers Business Credit Cards: Important Considerations When Choosing a Building Business Credit Card

Discover it® Cash Back

Check out the Discover it® Cash Back card. There is a 10.99% introductory APR for six months from date of first transfer. So, this is for transfers under this offer which post to your account by January 10, 2019.

After the introductory APR expires, your APR will be 14.99% to 23.99%. So, this is based on your creditworthiness. Your APR will vary with the market, which is based on the Prime Rate.

Details

You can get 5% cash back at different places each quarter. So, these are places like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs. But this is up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. In addition, automatically get unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

You will get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you have earned at the end of your first year, automatically.

Get it here: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/it-card.html

Small Business Credit Cards with 0% APR – Pay Absolutely Nothing! Good Accompaniments to a Building Business Credit Card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card has no annual fee and comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the initial nine months. Afterwards, the card has a 13.24 – 23.24% variable APR

Earn 3 points/dollar spent when you book travel with the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points/dollar on all other purchases. You can earn unlimited points and points never expire.

Details

There is a 25,000-point sign-up bonus when you spend $1,000 within the initial 60 days of starting the account. Cardholders get travel accident insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.

They also get trip cancellation coverage, trip delay reimbursement and other perks.

There is no introductory rate for balance transfers. Also, bonus categories are limited.

Get it here: https://www.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/credit-cards/products/travel-rewards-business-credit-card/

JetBlue Plus Card

Check out the JetBlue Plus Card for another offer of a 0% introductory APR

Earn six points/dollar on JetBlue purchases, two points/dollar at restaurants and grocery stores. And get one point/dollar on all other purchases.

Details

Spend $1,000 in the initial 90 days and pay the annual fee and earn 40,000 bonus points. New cardholders get a 12-month, 0% initial APR on balance transfers made in 45 days of account opening.

Thereafter, the variable APR on purchases and balance transfers is 17.99%, 21.99% or 26.99%, based on creditworthiness. Benefits include a free first checked bag and 50% savings on in-flight purchases.

There is a $99 annual fee for this card.

Get it here: https://cards.barclaycardus.com/cards/jetblue-card/

Establish business credit fast with our research-backed guide to 12 business credit cards and lines.

Uber Visa Card

Check out the Uber Visa Card. Uber is the very first ride-sharing service to offer a credit card, in a partnership with Visa and Barclays.

The card offers 4% back per dollar spent at restaurants, takeout and bars, including UberEATS. Also, get 3% back on hotel, airfare and vacation home rentals. And earn 2% back on online purchases.

So, this includes retailers and subscription services like Uber and Netflix. And get 1% back on all other purchases. Each percent/point has a value of 1 cent. Redeem points for cash back, gift cards or Uber credits directly within the app.

By spending at least $500 in the first 90 days, users can earn a $100 sign-up bonus. Cardholders spending at least $5,000 yearly are eligible to receive a $50 credit toward online subscription services.

Details

If you pay your cell phone bill with this card, you are insured up to $600 for cellphone damage or theft.

Cardholders are eligible for exclusive access to specific events and offers. Uber anticipates the majority of these offers to be available in major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and DC. There is no foreign transaction fee.

But there is no introductory rate. The APR is a variable 16.99%, 22.74% or 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Cardholders with less than stellar credit will be on the higher end of the range.

Get it here: https://www.uber.com/c/uber-credit-card/

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Not taking Uber? Then you’ll need to fill your gas tank somehow. Why not do so with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi?

This credit card earns cash back with every purchase. Get 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on eligible gas purchases annually (1% after that). Earn 3% cash back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases. Also, earn 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com. And earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Also, there is no sign-up bonus offered with this card.

Get it here: https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-business-credit-card

Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

There is a $0 yearly fee with a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Afterwards, the APR is a 15.24 – 21.24% variable.

The credit card features travel and purchase coverage benefits. So, this includes an auto rental collision damage waiver and extended warranty protection.

Details

Earn additional cash back on business categories. So, these include office supply stores, telecommunications, gas stations and restaurants.

Note: this card has a balance transfer fee. Pay 5% of the amount transferred or $5, whichever is more. Also, there is a foreign transaction fee of 3%.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/small-business-credit-cards/ink-cash

United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

Get a good look at the United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card.

Earn 2 miles/dollar with United and at restaurants, filling stations and office supply stores. All other purchases earn 1 mile/dollar. Earn a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 in the initial three months from account opening.

Benefits include priority boarding, a free first checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation.

Details

Also, get two United Club passes annually. And get hotel and resort perks including upgrades. In addition, get early check-in and late checkout. And get an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Plus, get baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Finally, get trip delay reimbursement, purchase protection, price protection and concierge service.

After the first year, the card has an annual fee of $95. There’s an APR of 17.99% – 24.99%, based on creditworthiness.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/small-business-credit-cards/united-mileageplus-explorer-business

Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

Another choice is the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express.

This card is for those who stay at Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott hotels often. Get six points per dollar of eligible purchases at participating SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels.

And earn four points per dollar at American restaurants, American filling stations, and on American purchases for shipping.

Also, earn four points to the dollar on wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service providers. For all other eligible purchases, get two points per dollar.

Details

Get 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. Benefits include free in-room premium internet access, Sheraton Club lounge access, and purchase protection.

The biggest issue is the annual fee. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then it’s $95 thereafter. Plus, there is no 0% introductory APR. Instead, there is a 17.74 – 26.74% variable APR

Get it here: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/business/business-credit-cards/spg-amex-starwood-credit-card

Terrific Cards for Cash Back: A Complement to a Building Business Credit Card

SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express

Check out the SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express. There is a $0 annual fee. And there is a 0% APR on purchases. So, this is for the initial 15 months an account is open.

But when the introductory period runs out, the APR for purchases is 14.24 to 21.24%. So, this is variable and based on creditworthiness.

Details

Also, earn 5% cash back at US office supply stores and on wireless telephone services. So, these must be bought from American service providers. But this applies to the initial $50,000 of yearly spending. Then, you earn 1% cash back.

Cash-back bonuses are automatically credited to the customer’s billing statement.

And, it applies if you have two or more late payments within 12 months. It can also apply if you fail to make the minimum payment on time or have a returned payment.

Get it here: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/credit-cards/simply-cash-plus-business-credit-card/44279

Capital One® Quicksilver® Card

Check out the Capital One® Quicksilver® Card. It offers flat-rate rewards of 1.5% on all purchases. There are no limits to the amount of cash back rewards that cardholders can earn. Also, the card has a $0 yearly fee.

New cardholders have a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after opening the account. Then afterwards they have a 14.74 – 24.74% (variable) APR after that.

A cash bonus of $150 is available for those who make at the very least $500 in purchases in 3 months of account opening.

Details

Also, cash back rewards do not expire for the life of the account. And there is no limit to how much you can earn.

This card also offers travel accident insurance. And you get an auto rental collision damage waiver. There are no foreign transaction fees. And there is extended warranty coverage.

Downsides are the flat reward rate, not allowing for any more than that. And the higher APR after the first 15 months.

Get it here: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilver/

Establish business credit fast with our research-backed guide to 12 business credit cards and lines.

Unbeatable Cards for Jackpot Rewards: For When You Graduate from a Building Business Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Have a look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for travel points.

You can get two points to the dollar spent on travel and dining at restaurants. And you can earn one point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be traded in for cash back, gift cards, or travel.

The card’s benefits include trip cancellation insurance, travel and emergency assistance services. They also include an auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

When you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening, you will earn 50,000 bonus points. These points are worth $625 if you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Details

You can earn an unlimited two points per dollar for travel and dining at restaurants. And then earn one point per dollar for all other purchases. Points will transfer equally to 13 leading frequent travel programs with partners. So, these include British Airways, Southwest Airlines, United, and Marriott.

There is no 0% introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers. The card’s standard APR is 17.74 – 24.74% variable. Also, the card has an annual fee of $0 introductory for the first year. And then it skyrockets to $95.

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/rewards-credit-cards/chase-sapphire-preferred

Ink Business Preferred ℠ Credit Card

Get a look at the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card from Chase. Cardholders earn 3 points for every dollar spent on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone and qualifying advertising with the card. So, this is up to $150,000 each year. And all other purchases earn an unlimited one point per dollar spent.

This is a Visa credit card.

Details

Earn 80,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the initial 3 months from account opening. There is an annual fee of $95. You can add employee cards at no additional cost.

This card only offers 3 points per dollar to a limit of $150,000 a year. So, this is for travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone and qualifying advertising. All other purchases earn an unlimited flat rate of one point per dollar. And there is no introductory APR

Get it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/small-business-credit-cards/ink-business-preferred

Establish business credit fast with our research-backed guide to 12 business credit cards and lines.

Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

Have a look at the Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card, which earns hotel rewards points. Earn up to 12 points per dollar of eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels or resorts.

Automatically get Hilton Honors Gold status. And this includes room upgrades when available, a 5th night free when you book a rewards stay of 5 nights or more.

And get free internet access and late checkout. It also includes a 25% bonus on base points earned with Hilton Honors.

This credit card has a variable purchase APR of 17.74 – 26.74%. There is an annual fee of $95.

Details

Cardholders can get a 125,000-point welcome offer after making $2,000 in eligible purchases in 3 months from account opening. Earn a free weekend night award after making $15,000 in eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.

Benefits include purchase protection. And there is extended warranty coverage. They also include car rental loss and damage insurance and travel accident insurance.

If you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases with the card within a calendar year, you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. This status includes all the benefits of Gold status.

It also includes a 50% bonus on base points earned with Hilton Honors and exclusive floor lounge access at select properties. But that is awfully high spending required for elite status. Only you can decide if that’s worth it.

Get it here: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/hilton-honors-ascend/

The Best Building Business Credit Card for You

Your outright best building business credit card will hinge on your credit history and scores.

Only you can choose which features you want and need. So, be sure to do your homework. What is excellent for you could be disastrous for someone else.

And, as always, make certain to develop credit in the recommended order for the best, fastest benefits.

The post Get an Amazing Building Business Credit Card appeared first on Credit Suite.

5 Amazing Ways You Can Get a Free Credit Score for Business

Get a Free Credit Score for Business – We Show You 5 Easy Ways to Do It

You can get a free credit score for business. There are 5 that entrepreneurs should understand.

Keeping your credit scores high is essential, so be sure you don’t miss any of these. You need to be proactive to get and improve any free credit score for business.

1. Free Credit Score for Business: Dun & Bradstreet’s PAYDEX

A PAYDEX Score from Dun & Bradstreet ranges from 0 to 100. This score has a basis in payment data which is on report to the bureau. Or it is on report to data-gathering companies partnering with the CRA. https://creditreports.dnb.com/m/business-glossary/paydex-score.html

D & B uses this data, along with a credit score and Financial Stress Score, so as to advise how much credit a loan provider should extend to your business.

Obtaining a Free Credit Score for Business from D&B’s PAYDEX

To get a PAYDEX score, you need to apply for a D-U-N-S number by using Dun & Bradstreet’s website. The number is at no cost. Plus the CRA will require to have reports of your payments with four or more merchants.

Your firm’s PAYDEX score reveals if your payments are usually made promptly or ahead of schedule. As you may expect, a higher number is better.

PAYDEX Score Information

The scores break down as follows:

80 – 100: A low risk of late payments
50 – 79: A medium risk of late payments
0 – 49: A high risk of late payments

D&B Business Credit Scores

Your company’s credit rating ranges from 1 to 5. 1 is the best score. This matches your business with other companies with comparable payment histories. The score shows just how often those firms tend to pay without delay.

This information can actually help loan providers to identify your company’s standing. Yet it does not really show every one of the payment records from your business.

Financial Stress Score

The Financial Stress Score also runs from 1 to 5. It matches your business with other companies sharing comparable financial and company characteristics.

These resemblances are in areas such as size or amount of time in business. This score shows just how regularly those businesses have a tendency to pay on time. As before, 1 is the very best score. This score is a more comprehensive examination of the business landscape, versus an analysis of your company’s real payment history.

An amazing PAYDEX score for your company is 80 – 100.

Find out why so many companies are using our proven methods to improve their business credit scores.

2. Free Credit Score for Business: Experian Credit Scores

Experian’s scoring system is called Intelliscore Plus. http://www.experian.com/business-information/credit-risk-management.html

What is the Intelliscore Plus Free Credit Score for Business?

The Intelliscore Plus credit score is a statistically based credit-risk assessment. The essential purpose of Intelliscore Plus is to aid companies, investors, and possible future loan providers make wise judgments regarding who they should or should not do business with.

Like an automobile dealer makes use of a customer’s FICO score to swiftly identify just how much of a credit risk a potential customer may be, the Intelliscore Plus credit score can offer insight on just how much of a credit risk a business or business owner might be.

Intelliscore Plus Credit Score Range

The Intelliscore scores vary from 1 to 100. So the higher your score, the lower your risk class. The chart below details each Intelliscore Plus credit score range as well as its associated meaning.

Score Range/Risk Class

76 – 100 Low
51 – 752 Low – Medium
26 – 503 Medium
11 – 254 High – Medium
1 – 105 High

Computing an Intelliscore Plus Credit Score

In the credit world, Intelliscore Plus is regarded one of the most dependable tools in effectively forecasting risk. Among the ways Intelliscore Plus maintains this claim to fame is by acknowledging the significant variables that show if a business is likely to pay their debts.

Though there more than 800 business and owner variables constituting an Intelliscore Plus credit score, the variables can be broken down into these essential elements:

Payment History

The bureaus call this recency however in the real world, it’s nothing more than your current payment status. This includes the number of times your accounts become delinquent, the number of accounts that are currently delinquent, and your overall trade balance.

Frequency

Similar to payment history, frequency make up the quantity of times your accounts have been sent to collections, the quantity of liens as well as judgments you may have, and any bankruptcies connecting with your business or personal accounts.

Frequency can also include information connecting to your payment patterns. Were you regularly slow or tardy with payment? Did you begin paying expenses late, yet over time, stopped doing so? These variables will certainly all be taken into consideration.

Monetary

This particular facet focuses on exactly how you use credit. As an example, just how much of your offered credit is presently in use? Do you have a high proportion of delinquent equilibrium in comparison with your credit line?

If you’re about to begin a company or are rather new to this game, the checklist above may appear a bit overwhelming. If you haven’t begun or don’t have a lengthy history of company-based purchases, exactly how will Intelliscore Plus rate you?

Intelliscore Plus handles these situations by using a “blended model” to develop your score. This implies that they take your consumer credit score right into consideration when determining your company’s credit score.

Find out why so many companies are using our proven methods to improve their business credit scores.

3. Free Credit Score for Business: Equifax Business Credit Scores

The Equifax Credit Risk Score originates from a model which they use to place specific risks. Equifax uses these details in its calculations, consisting of the depth of the credit details Experian can obtain the length of your company’s credit history, as well as your firm’s payment delinquency history. http://www.equifax.com/business/equifax-risk-score

http://www.equifax.com/assets/USCIS/efx-00178_efx_risk_score.pdf

http://www.equifax.com/assets/USCIS/efx-00164-9-13_efx_bni.pdf

Equifax then sectors some five separate scorecards together, by using statistical analysis. In order to enhance their precision, Equifax suggests combining their Credit Risk Score with their exclusive Equifax Bankruptcy Navigator Index.

The Bankruptcy Navigator Index helps forecast the likelihood of your business declaring bankruptcy in the next 24 months. Equifax bases its predictive model on over 270 million different accounts.

Equifax shows three separate company determinations on its business credit reports. These are the Equifax Payment Index, your business’s Credit Risk Score, and its Business Failure Score.

Equifax Payment Index

Comparable to the PAYDEX rating, Equifax’s Payment Index, which has its measurement on a scale of 100, shows how many of your firm’s payments were made punctually. These include both data from credit providers and suppliers.

However it’s not indicated to forecast future habits. That is what the other two scores are for.

Equifax Credit Risk Score

Equifax’s Credit Risk Score analyzes just how likely it is your business will become severely overdue on payments. Scores vary from 101 to 992, and they examine:

Available credit limit on revolving credit accounts, e. g. credit cards
Your business’s size
Proof of any kind of non-financial transactions (e. g. vendor invoices) which are delinquent or were on charge off for two or more payment cycles
Length of time since the opening of the earliest financial account

Find out why so many companies are using our proven methods to improve their business credit scores.

Equifax Business Failure Score

Finally, Equifax’s Business Failure Score looks at the risk of your company closing. It ranges from 1,000 to 1,600, assessing these aspects:

Total balance to total current credit limit average utilization in the previous three months
How much time since the opening of the oldest financial account
Your business’s worst payment status on all trades in the previous 24 months
Documentation of any non-financial transactions (e. g. supplier invoices) which are past due or have gotten on fee off for two or more billing cycles.

Equifax Scoring Analysis

For the credit risk as well as business failure scores, a rating of 0 means bankruptcy.

An amazing Equifax score for your firm is as follows:

Payment Index 0 – 10
Credit Score 892 – 992
Business Failure Score 1400 – 1600

4. Free Credit Score for Business: FICO Business Credit Scores

FICO uses its SBSS (Small Business Scoring Service) Score to integrate consumer bureau, economic, application, and business bureau data. FICO then validates their SBSS models for transactions such as Line of Credit transactions, Term Loans, and Commercial Card obligations which go up to $1 million. Their idea is to examine how your company pays back all kinds of loans. http://www.fico.com/en/node/8140?file=6045

Business credit providers make use of the FICO SBSS score as a tool to determine whether they should authorize a loan to your business at all.

The SBA uses this score too, to authorize or approve company loans. It has a basis in your company and consumer credit history as well as not simply your business’s financial health.

The score factors in the evaluation of the risks inherent in your company’s credit applications. With SBSS, lenders make their determinations in a matter of hours, instead of days. Lenders are more confident in their lending judgments, and your company gets quicker decisions on your loan applications.

The SBA’s Participation

The FICO Small Business Score or SBSS score is the main figure that the SBA thinks about while figuring out to approve a loan, especially when it involves the SBA’s 7(a) loans.

Computing a FICO SBSS Score

The FICO SBSS Score shows the likelihood or probability of you, the candidate, covering your month-to-month bills in a timely manner. The score runs from 0 to 300. A higher score means lower risks and commonly generates more favorable credit terms. The score originates from your company as well as personal history of credit use together with your company’s financial data. Variables also include your company’s age, and its years or complete time in business.

Since 2014, all SBA 7(a) loans must go through a business credit score pre-screen, as well as for SBA loans, you could perhaps not get an approval if you had a score less than 140. However the cutoff was typically set to 160, and frequently, a score below 160 meant a rejection. A lot of lending institutions will only accept scores over 160 or 180, to lend as much as $1 million. But a rating lower than 160 or 180 can still qualify you for a smaller loan.

The formula for the FICO SBSS Score is as follows:

The last year of PAYDEX scores from Dun & Bradstreet
Amounts and types of any judgements against your firm
The amounts and kinds of any liens against your company’s real or personal property.
Your firm’s available resources
Your company’s profit
Plus other, less distinct monetary information

If you have no document of company credit and had a modest or short time in your business, then the possible greatest FICO SBSS score you can possibly anticipate is 140.

Usage and Sorts of SBSS Model Lenders

A FICO SBSS rating includes the choice to opt for certain models which are market-specific for enhanced and better decision making. As an example, one model is an agricultural leasing and lending model. Another model was made especially for Canada. Additionally, the insights of the SBSS score provide support for the SBRI (Small Business Risk Insight, from Dun & Bradstreet) and the SBFE (Small Business Financial Exchange) information repositories.

Validating the SBSS models is necessary for credit lines, commercial cards, as well as term loans of as much as one million dollars. If you are asking for one million dollars or less from bank financing, then there are chances that your SBSS score will be under review.

The Kind of Information in the Score

The SBSS provides the credit issuers of businesses different information blends to make sure that they can analyze your company’s credit risks. For instance, a specific issuer of credit can choose only to assess a concept proprietor’s application data, or the credit issuer can choose to consist of one or multiple business bureaus’ information.

Or the credit issuer can only decide to prioritize one element over another. This intelligent rating originates from various business bureaus on an automated basis, in any type of order or whatever priority the issuer of the credit chooses. As a result, if the loan provider chooses the score of Dun & Bradstreet’s PAYDEX as its default, the SBSS will pull that set of data.

SBSS Credit Offer Index: Just How It Works and Why It Is Important

The Credit Index is an aspect of the FICO SBSS Credit Score for your small business, made to aid credit issuers understand your capacity. It works as the standards against all businesses with comparable profiles.

The SBSS Credit Offer Index includes economic application details, business bureau documents, and credit bureau information for consumer. It provides a percentile ranking of the present against other smaller companies with identical or similar features and total requested money from all those businesses.

The Updated SBSS

Reporting agencies like Experian power the newer FICO SBSS Score model. The SBFE data might be used to prepare for charge-offs, bankruptcy, or three plus cycles overdue or misbehavior over a duration of two years.

5. Free Credit Score for Business: SBA Credit Scoring

The SBA’s tool has a basis in FICO. Their idea is to speed up their credit decisions for loan approvals. The tool uses several information sources and over one hundred combinations of company and consumer analytical models. They use a designated cutoff. https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/mo/st-louis/resources/small-business-loan-credit-scoring

Their general stats on their over $60 billion profile show that companies with ratings at, or above the assigned cut-off will have excellent payment history. So in a way, this isn’t a free credit score for business – it’s more of a score derived from other scores.

Just How Do You Enhance Your Business Credit Scores?

The big question has arrived, and while there is no golden solution, these concepts can definitely assist you increase your rating.

Make Your Payments on Schedule

Your payment patterns and history are a driving force in your overall credit score. Over time, paying your bills promptly will help establish your company as one that pays their financial obligations. This will inevitably help push your rating up as well as show other firms you are a low risk.

Keep Your Debt-to-Income Ratio in Check

The more debt you have on your plate, the more invoices you have, and the less disposable income you have. If your total debt approaches or exceeds your income level, then you’re more than likely to be seen as high-risk.

Keep your financial obligations in check and consistently pay them off to keep a healthy balance between what you make and what you owe.

Use Your Credit

Keeping your financial obligations low remains sound advice. Still, opening and sensibly benefiting from business credit accounts can help you broaden your available credit and improve your credit score.

Maintain a Healthy Personal Credit Profile

By now, you know that your own personal credit is fair game when it involves your Intelliscore Plus rating. Running a company is difficult work, however don’t let your personal finances suffer. Make certain that you remain on top of your individual monthly bills, stay clear of unnecessary credit inquiries, and refrain from compromising your personal credit for business needs.

Check Your Credit Reports

Regardless of what your credit score is, it is critical that you continue to be attentive and evaluate your personal and business credit reports. This can help you locate possible problems and stay educated by yourself credit profile.

Free Credit Score for Business: Takeaways

When you recognize where to check your free credit score for business, you have a much better chance of getting on top of it, and staying there.

The post 5 Amazing Ways You Can Get a Free Credit Score for Business appeared first on Credit Suite.

Amazing Funding for Women Owned Businesses

The Best Funding For Women Owned Businesses

We scoured the internet for the very best funding for women owned businesses. There are a number of fantastic choices which women can make use of today.

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Collateral-Based Financing

Collateral-based financing offers low rate financing. Personal credit quality and profits don’t determine your approval. Some accepted collateral includes:

Account receivables and purchase orders
401k, IRA, stocks, and bonds
Inventory
Equipment

The idea behind collateral-based funding is that a lender needs an assurance. For the creditor, a great assurance that you will pay back funding is when your property is at risk if you don’t.

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Cash Flow and Unsecured Financing

Cash flow financing is another great loan program for women, if you’ve been in business one year or more and have $10,000 in monthly revenue.

Unsecured financing is readily available for female small business owners, for up to $150,000. You can get an approval if you have good personal credit, and get 0% intro rates for 6-18 months … even as a startup.

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: The Small Business Administration

The SBA offers some terrific loan programs including their 7( a) loan for working capital. To get approved you’ll have to have:.

3 years of company and personal tax returns
Good personal, business, and bank credit
Collateral for 50-70% of what you’re borrowing

SBA Express

The SBA Express program is a great loan program for women. You can get approved for a loan up to $350,000. Get rates of 4.5-6.5%. Get a line-of-credit good for 7 years. No collateral is required for up to $25,000. There is a turn-around in 36 hours.

SBA’s Women’s Business Centers

They can help you get access to capital. See: https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/wbc

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)

For women who are also military veterans, the Veterans Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is an SBA funded program offered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families which includes online training, a conference that utilizes the unique team spirit of women veterans and female military spouses, and follow-on mentoring through a community of partners.

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Amber Grants

$1,000 to a different women-owned business each month. At the end of the year, one of the monthly grant winners gets $10,000 more. See: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-amber-grant/

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Alternative Lenders

If you have decent personal credit and tax returns for 2 years that show a profit, alternative lenders have programs that could work. You could be approved with rates of 7% or lower. Lenders will need to see some kind of profit on your tax returns.

There’s also business credit building!

Learn more here and get started toward building business credit.

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Small Business Credit Building

Business credit is credit in a company’s name. It doesn’t attach to an entrepreneur’s consumer credit, not even if the owner is a sole proprietor and the only employee of the company.

Accordingly, a business owner’s business and personal credit scores can be very different.

The Advantages

Considering that company credit is distinct from individual, it helps to secure a business owner’s personal assets, in the event of court action or business insolvency.

Also, with two distinct credit scores, an entrepreneur can get two different cards from the same merchant. This effectively doubles purchasing power.

Another benefit is that even startup companies can do this. Heading to a bank for a business loan can be a recipe for frustration. But building business credit, when done properly, is a plan for success.

Individual credit scores rely on payments but also various other considerations like credit usage percentages.

But for small business credit, the scores actually merely hinge on if a company pays its bills promptly. It is a terrific source of funding for women owned businesses.

The Process

Growing small business credit is a process, and it does not occur automatically. A business has to proactively work to establish company credit.

Nonetheless, it can be done easily and quickly, and it is much speedier than developing individual credit scores.

Vendors are a big aspect of this process.

Carrying out the steps out of order will cause repetitive rejections. Nobody can start at the top with small business credit. For instance, you can’t start with retail or cash credit from your bank. If you do, you’ll get a denial 100% of the time.

Company Fundability

A small business needs to be fundable to lenders and merchants.

Hence, a company will need a professional-looking website and email address. And it needs to have website hosting from a merchant like GoDaddy.

And also, business telephone and fax numbers need to have a listing on ListYourself.net.

Also, the company phone number should be toll-free (800 exchange or similar).

A business will also need a bank account devoted solely to it, and it must have every one of the licenses essential for running.

Licenses

These licenses all must be in the correct, appropriate name of the company. And they must have the same small business address and telephone numbers.

So keep in mind, that this means not just state licenses, but potentially also city licenses.

Learn more here and get started toward building business credit.

Dealing with the IRS

Visit the IRS website and get an EIN for the small business. They’re free of charge. Pick a business entity like corporation, LLC, etc.

A business can start off as a sole proprietor. But they will more than likely want to change to a form of corporation or an LLC.

This is in order to decrease risk. And it will make best use of tax benefits.

A business entity will matter when it involves tax obligations and liability in case of a lawsuit. A sole proprietorship means the owner is it when it comes to liability and taxes. No one else is responsible.

Sole Proprietors Take Note

If you operate a business as a sole proprietor, then at least be sure to file for a DBA. This is ‘doing business as’ status.

If you do not, then your personal name is the same as the company name. Because of this, you can wind up being directly accountable for all small business financial obligations.

Plus, per the IRS, by having this structure there is a 1 in 7 chance of an IRS audit. There is a 1 in 50 probability for corporations! Prevent confusion and noticeably decrease the odds of an IRS audit as well.

Kicking Off the Business Credit Reporting Process

Start at the D&B website and obtain a totally free D-U-N-S number. A D-U-N-S number is how D&B gets a business into their system, to produce a PAYDEX score. If there is no D-U-N-S number, then there is no record and no PAYDEX score.

Once in D&B’s system, search Equifax and Experian’s sites for the company. You can do this at www.creditsuite.com/reports. If there is a record with them, check it for correctness and completeness. If there are no records with them, go to the next step in the process.

This way, Experian and Equifax will have activity to report on.

Vendor Credit Tier

First you must build trade lines that report. This is also called the vendor credit tier. Then you’ll have an established credit profile, and you’ll get a business credit score.

And with an established business credit profile and score you can start to get credit in the retail and cash credit tiers.

These kinds of accounts often tend to be for the things bought all the time, like marketing materials, shipping boxes, outdoor work wear, ink and toner, and office furniture.

But first off, what is trade credit? These trade lines are credit issuers who will give you starter credit when you have none now. Terms are in most cases Net 30, instead of revolving.

So, if you get approval for $1,000 in vendor credit and use all of it, you need to pay that money back in a set term, like within 30 days on a Net 30 account.

Details

Net 30 accounts must be paid in full within 30 days. 60 accounts need to be paid fully within 60 days. In contrast to with revolving accounts, you have a set time when you have to pay back what you borrowed or the credit you made use of.

To launch your business credit profile properly, you ought to get approval for vendor accounts that report to the business credit reporting agencies. Once that’s done, you can then use the credit.

Then repay what you used, and the account is on report to Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, or Equifax.

Vendor Credit Tier – It Helps

Not every vendor can help in the same way true starter credit can. These are merchants that will grant an approval with minimal effort. You also want them to be reporting to one or more of the big three CRAs: Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian.

You want 5 to 8 of these to move onto the next step, which is the retail credit tier. But you may have to apply more than one time to these vendors. So, this is to demonstrate you are dependable and will pay promptly. Here are some stellar choices from us: https://www.creditsuite.com/blog/5-vendor-accounts-that-build-your-business-credit/

Retail Credit Tier

Once there are 5 to 8 or more vendor trade accounts reporting to at least one of the CRAs, then progress to the retail credit tier. These are service providers which include Office Depot and Staples.

Just use your SSN and date of birth on these applications for verification purposes. For credit checks and guarantees, use the business’s EIN on these credit applications.

One example is Lowe’s. They report to D&B, Equifax and Business Experian. They need to see a D-U-N-S and a PAYDEX score of 78 or more.

Fleet Credit Tier

Are there 8 to 10 accounts reporting? Then move to the fleet credit tier. These are companies like BP and Conoco. Use this credit to buy fuel, and to repair, and maintain vehicles. Just use your Social Security Number and date of birth on these applications for verification purposes. For credit checks and guarantees, make certain to apply using the small business’s EIN.

One such example is Shell. They report to D&B and Business Experian. They want to see a PAYDEX Score of 78 or more and a 411 small business telephone listing.

Shell may say they want a certain amount of time in business or profits. But if you already have adequate vendor accounts, that won’t be necessary. And you can still get an approval.

Learn more here and get started toward building business credit.

Cash Credit Tier

Have you been responsibly handling the credit you’ve up to this point? Then progress to the cash credit tier. These are service providers like Visa and MasterCard. Only use your Social Security Number and date of birth on these applications for verification purposes. For credit checks and guarantees, use your EIN instead.

One example is the Fuelman MasterCard. They report to D&B and Equifax Business. They want to see a PAYDEX Score of 78 or higher. And they also want you to have 10 trade lines reporting on your D&B report.

Plus, they want to see a $10,000 high credit limit reporting on your D&B report (other account reporting).

In addition, they want you to have an established small business.

These are companies such as Walmart and Dell, and also Home Depot, BP, and Racetrac. These are usually MasterCard credit cards. If you have 14 trade accounts reporting, then these are in reach.

Monitor Your Business Credit

Know what is happening with your credit. Make sure it is being reported and deal with any inaccuracies as soon as possible. Get in the habit of taking a look at credit reports and digging into the details, and not just the scores.

We can help you monitor business credit at Experian and D&B for 90% less than it would cost you at the CRAs. See: www.creditsuite.com/monitoring.

At Equifax, you can monitor your account at: www.equifax.com/business/business-credit-monitor-small-business. Equifax will cost about $19.99.

Update Your Data

Update the information if there are inaccuracies or the info is incomplete.

Fix Your Business Credit

So, what’s all this monitoring for? It’s to contest any mistakes in your records. Mistakes in your credit report(s) can be fixed. But the CRAs generally want you to dispute in a particular way.

Disputing credit report errors commonly means you send a paper letter with copies of any proofs of payment with it. These are documents like receipts and cancelled checks. Never send the original copies. Always send copies and keep the originals.

Fixing credit report errors also means you precisely detail any charges you contest. Make your dispute letter as understandable as possible. Be specific about the issues with your report. Use certified mail so that you will have proof that you mailed in your dispute.

A Word about Building Business Credit

Always use credit smartly! Never borrow beyond what you can pay off. Keep track of balances and deadlines for payments. Paying off on time and fully will do more to boost business credit scores than pretty much anything else.

Growing company credit pays. Excellent business credit scores help a small business get loans. Your lending institution knows the company can pay its financial obligations. They know the business is for real.

The small business’s EIN connects to high scores and lenders won’t feel the need to call for a personal guarantee.

Funding for Women Owned Businesses: Takeaways

Get creative and grab the best funding for women owned businesses around!

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