Know Your Score

Using credit reporting tools, that are widely available online, will allow you to view your credit score and credit history. This will allow you to see a report that is similar to the ones that lenders will see when checking your credit. Essentially, giving you a snapshot of your current standing with your loans and debts to see if you are up to date on everything. Additionally this can help prevent identity theft by verifying there are no erroneous or fraudulent accounts opened in your name. It is a good idea to pull your credit report about once every 12 months to make sure everything is on the up and up!

Pay your bills on time – all the time

Paying suppliers and vendors on time, every time, is a great way of building payment history. Missing payments can result in a drop in your credit score, potentially causing the cost of financing to increase.

Credit Cards count too

Having credit card debt can be perfectly fine. In fact having this kind of “revolving” debt available to your business is a good thing. However maxing out credit cards can show negatively on a credit report. Try to avoid maxing out this type of revolving debt if possible, your credit score will thank you.

Don’t wait for problems to fix themselves

Back to the first point, pulling your credit can often uncover items that you may have not been properly informed about. If you discover some outstanding debt, judgements, or liens try your best to solve them as quickly as possible. As the saying goes, “Reputation, it takes a lifetime to build, but only a few moments to ruin”.