"Essential Steps to Establish Your Business and Build Credit"

- Consider getting a virtual address if you prefer not to use your home or business address. 

- Set up a dedicated business phone number. Many apps can forward calls to your personal phone while maintaining a professional presence. Recommended is Grasshopper Grasshopper is a virtual phone system built specifically for small business owners. 

- Obtain an EIN directly from the IRS at IRS.Gov It’s free and takes just a few minutes—no need to pay for this service.

- Register your business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp) with your state’s Secretary of State. Check if your state allows you to act as your own registered agent; otherwise, you’ll need to hire one. You’ll also need to visit NAICS to find the appropriate classification code for your business, as this is required during the registration process.

- List your business on platforms like 411, Google, and Yelp, as some lenders verify these listings when evaluating your creditworthiness.

- Create a professional website to establish credibility. UENI is Highly recommend for website building. Their platform is user-friendly, and the process is straightforward, making it easy for anyone to create a professional website. Plus, they offer a quick 7-day turnaround, so your site will be up and running in no time!

- Apply for a free D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet to help build your business credit profile.

- Open a business bank account. While many banks require you to apply in person with your EIN, state registration documents, and Operating Agreement, some offer online options.

- Sign up for credit monitoring through NAV . The free version provides a letter grade for your credit score, but the $29.99/month plan offers detailed credit reports, an actual score, and reporting to credit bureaus.

- Start building business credit by applying in stages (Tiers).