Small Business Finance

If you’re a small business, the thought of managing your finances can be a daunting one. But with our clear, useful and practical guides covering all you need to know when it comes to small business finance, taking that next step and investing in your business is easier than you might think. With our articles covering every aspect of finance for small business, you can soon be an expert in your field when it comes to making your business profitable and getting yourself off the ground by using the best finance solutions for you.

This section covers everything from the various sources of finance for small businesses through to the different ways you might choose to finance your enterprise. Our expert guide offers you the foundations you need to understand, utilise and plan for finance without all the complicated jargon, difficult-to-understand information and legalese. We provide guidance on a variety of different topics and bust the myths surrounding small business finance to ensure you’re getting the most for your money.

Comparing sources of finance for small business
This article takes a look at the range of different sources available to small businesses for the purposes of finance, including the most common methods of funding such as banks, lenders and the government, in addition to a range of other alternative methods of finance that you may be considering for your business. We dive into the various differences between each form of funding, from online crowdfunding to credit unions, and offer insight into what, exactly, would be a good fit for your business.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with a little extra knowledge surrounding the different forms of small business finance available. By comparing and contrasting the services offered in a simple and clear way, it’s easier to see what source of finance for small businesses is the best fit for your specific needs. Every business is different, so one-size-fits-all certainly isn’t the best approach when it comes to meeting your financial needs. Other sources of finance covered include alternative finance lenders, supermarkets, peer-2-peer lenders, merchant cash advance companies, online-only lenders, and even lending through friends or family.

Click through to find out more about the different sources of finance available to small businesses, and to figure out which is the right choice for you.

Ultimate guide to finance for small business owners
This article provides tonnes of knowledge to small business owners when it comes to the challenges of finance – in fact, you could even call it the ultimate guide to all things finance. A range of different topics are covered clearly in this guide and included to provide you with the best possible overview of all the requirements of small business. Especially when it comes to your needs surrounding finance from any source.

This comprehensive guide covers everything from the challenges small business owners face with money management and cash flow, to the need to diversify to prevent dependence on a small group of clients. We also cover founder dependence, in addition to the tax requirements of small businesses, plus factors such as compliance and regulation with schemes such as GDPR. For those looking to learn more about how the economy impacts small businesses, we cover that too – as well as how to remain competitive in your chosen market.

Click through to discover more about the requirements and considerations every small business should have, from sources of finance to cash flow. With our ultimate guide, we provide insight into the basics of all you need to know before investing in funding for your small business.

Obtaining finance for a small business
One of the first challenges that small business owners face is how, exactly, to obtain the finance they need to expand, improve or even start their small business. This article takes a closer look at how small business owners – or those considering starting their own business – can find finance, through a variety of online and offline sources that are suited to small businesses in particular. We answer the most commonly asked questions to provide insight into the actual process of obtaining finance, from research to approval.

Within this article, we examine the various places small businesses can go to find finance, including comparison sites, direct to lenders, online, banks, alternative finance and more to provide a clear overview of the different options available to business owners. We also cover the pre-approval process, and what it means to be pre-approved for finance, as well as the requirements for a small business to be approved for finance; and how companies can improve their chances over time.

Click through for more in-depth information about the process of obtaining finance, from the places where small businesses can source funding to the pre-approval and approval processes required to get the finance needed.

Alternative finance
For small businesses looking beyond the typical methods of financing their requirements, alternative finance might be a viable alternative. For those new to the concept of alternative finance, this article provides a compact overview of precisely what alternative finance is in relation to small businesses, as well as answering a variety of other commonly-asked questions that may come up in the financing process.

This article covers everything from the basics of alternative finance, including what exactly is classified as alternative finance, in addition to guidance on funding your business through alternative finance. We also take a look at the bigger picture when it comes to financing in the UK, examining why exactly alternative funding is a must for this country as a different source of financing for small business. Finally, we go over some of the critical points of the alternative finance model, to provide a full overview of alternative finances as a whole.

Click through for more insight into why alternative finance funding might be the best choice for your business and the ways in which you can access or use alternative finance to help your enterprise to get off the ground or grow in the long term.

23 ways to finance a small business
This big-picture article gives readers an excellent overview of the wide range of different ways a small business can be financed. It offers information on just about every type of financing available to benefit, improve or expand your business by a variety of different means. We cover 23 different ways in total to adequately finance a small business, with a brief description and analysis of why each different type of funding might just work for you.

The wide range of finance methods includes financing a small business through friends or family or through personal savings, as well as more formal approaches such as bank loans, credit cards or business overdrafts. The variety of small business finance options also includes other practical options such as applying for government grants or even utilising agent investors, while also offering various lifestyle changes that can help to finance a small business or start-up, such as keeping a job, selling assets or working on the side.

Click through to find out more about the various ways in which a small business can be financed, from small-scale options to more expansive suggestions suited for start-ups and small businesses in just about any market or industry.

How to finance a start-up business
Unlike a typical small business, a start-up firm or company typically has more overheads and financial requirements attached to its setup; and as such, a higher level of risk required for its success. This article clearly explains the needs of start-up businesses in particular when it comes to sufficient financing, as well as taking a good look at the struggles related to setting up a brand-new company from the ground up.

For start-ups, this indispensable guide to financing a start-up business offers insight into the various requirements, processes and options available. These multiple methods include bootstrapping, in which the company relies on your own internal investment or revenue, as well as financing through friends or family as a viable alternative to more traditional, and costly, financing methods. We also take a look at the concept of angel investors and accelerators, and how these specific financing types can be of advantage to start-up businesses.

Click through to discover more about the various finance options for start-up businesses, including greater detail on the use of angel investors, accelerators and bootstrapping in the process of setting up and financing a business in the short and long-term.

How to finance a small business purchase
Beyond the initial set-up costs of a small business that is created and devised by the owner, many people instead take the option of purchasing an existing small business, providing potentially greater stability and a pre-existing system and customer base in comparison to a brand-new business. This article examines the process for financing the purchase of an existing small business, and the process required to decide upon that purchase in the first place.

This guide provides information on the full process of financing a small business, from the identification of an appropriate business or company to purchase to the best way to evaluate a potential purchase prior to instigating any financing processes. We also cover the various advantages of buying a pre-existing small business over creating your own from scratch. For individuals considering whether purchasing an existing small business is worth the investment, this article covers it all.

Click through to find out more about the various options available for those considering purchasing an existing business, plus some extra guidance on why purchasing an existing business might be the ideal alternative to starting fresh for many would-be business owners.

Understanding working capital finance
With so many different forms of jargon surrounding the process of running a small business, it’s no wonder that finance can quickly become confusing to decipher. This article specifically covers the world of working capital finance, from what the concept actually means to the various different types of funding that fall under the ‘umbrella’ of small business finance. This guide aims to explain it all, providing the insight needed to make understanding working capital finance easy.

Differing from more traditional investment loans used to expand or improve upon a small business, working capital finance is for the specific purpose of providing funding for everyday business operations and requirements, in order to cover the particular operational needs of the company or small business. We include the definition of working capital, plus the various sources of finance such as trade credit, bank overdraft, letters of credit and purchase of bills amongst others to provide a full overview of not only what working capital finance is, but also how it works.

Click through to discover the advantages of working capital management and finance for the purpose of small business, and the ways in which this form of finance differs from other types of financing for small businesses.

Merchant finance
There are many more types of businesses on the market than simply the typical small business; one of which is merchant businesses, a term that refers to companies which accept transactions and payments directly from customers, resorting in a far more substantial cashflow both in and out of the business than in many other types of small business. This article takes a closer look at the financing options specifically available for merchants, in order to maintain the standard of business required.

Unlike other small businesses, merchant businesses are unique in the type of finance they require. We take a closer look at what, exactly, merchant finance is, plus how it works in the more extensive requirements of a small business. We also define the various sources of funding for small merchant businesses, including merchant cash advances, to provide a clear overview of the ways in which companies of this type can finance growth, expansion or even working capital.

Click through for further guidance about the differences faced when merchant financing in comparison to funding for small business, plus a further explanation of the sources of financing for merchant finance businesses.

Small business finance calculators
Considering what the best finance option for your small business is? Our concise, comprehensive small business finance calculator provides instant insight into the best options for your business when it comes to the range of finance methods available on the market. Use our calculator today to discover if your business is eligible, or suitable, for specific finance methods, or to plan ahead for future growth and business development.

Our small business finance calculator is also a useful tool for individuals considering investing in a small business for the first time, to provide more insight into the financing options available, in addition to those considering purchasing an existing small business outright. Our calculator is a practical solution for small businesses of all sizes and types.

Click through to our calculator today to learn more about the best finance options for your small business, based on up-to-date information and calculations.

Small business loans are a perfect way for an SME to get an invaluable cash injection. But, who actually provides them? It’s all well and good knowing about what small business loans are – but it’s also important to know about where you should be looking for them.Here you’ll find everything you need to know about small business loan providers and the application process. This will allow you to have all the information necessary to make a successful loan application and take the first step towards the next stage of your business growth.

Who provides small business loans?
There are a number of financial institutions from which you can find a small business loan. They all have their own individual ways of formulating the structure of the loan, with unique application processes and requirements you need to satisfy before approval. You can get financing through the Government, through banks and credit unions, finance brokers, peer-to-peer lenders, as well as through alternative finance specialists – like Capify.

Capify’s small business loans
Unlike most banks, which usually require at least two years to have passed since your business was started, Capify only requires small businesses to have been in business for six months. Our loans are tailored directly to the needs of small businesses and can be just what you need to give your business a quick cash injection.

We lend to all sorts of small businesses, operating in all manner of industries – every small business needs financial assistance now and then, and Capify is here to provide it.

Direct small business loan providers vs brokers
Direct lenders operate as a single institution – you apply to one company, who assesses your application, and if you’re successful you get the funding from them. Brokers will take your details and then reach out to multiple lenders on your behalf. The benefit of a broker is that you only make one application, rather than to each individual lender. A drawback is that often brokers will place you and your business with the lender who provides them with the largest commission.

Like all loans, small business loans aren’t just given out to everyone who applies. There are certain requirements you need to satisfy before you’ll be approved for the loan. Those individual criteria will vary from lender to lender, but there are certain general criteria that apply to most. Knowing them means you can make sure you’re able to satisfy them before you apply. Ultimately this saves you time and effort and means you can get your small business loan paid into your account that much faster.

What is the eligibility criteria for a small business loan?
It varies depending on the type of loan, the amount you’re applying for, and the way the specific vendor operates. Some examples would be turnover/profit data, recent bank statements and filed accounts. An overview of your trading history might be necessary, as well as any information about previous debts or county court judgements (if applicable).

You may need to provide evidence of what you intend to use the loan for, as well as a proposal for how you’ll make your monthly repayments. A form of collateral will need to be provided for a secured loan – with valuation and proof of ownership.

This is just a general overview – check with your loan provider for their specific requirements before you apply to make sure you’re eligible.

How affordable are small business loans
While affordability is subjective, it’s discussed more thoroughly in our detailed article. A number of things affect how “affordable” your loan will be. First is what you can actually afford. Then you need to consider how much money you need to borrow, and over what sort of time frame.

If you have any concerns, it’s important that you reach out to your proposed lender before you apply for the loan – they will be able to give you more specific advice. Depending on your circumstances they have a more appropriate path to financing to offer you.

Understanding loan credit checks/scores
It can be intimidating trying to understand what you need in order to have an “acceptable” credit history – but remember that most lenders will not deny you a loan for no reason. In fact, credit rating is almost never the sole reason for a loan application being accepted or denied – even if you have a bad credit history, many lenders may still consider your application in the right circumstances.

Remember that if you’re a sole trader, your personal credit will come into play as your finances are not considered separate from your business finances – they would be if you ran a Limited Company. Your business credit will be thoroughly checked, but if you have any doubts it’s best to be upfront as soon as possible.

What if you’ve been declined a loan?
It can be demoralising to go through the rigmarole of the application process only to be denied, especially if your business really could use that cash injection. It’s important that if you are denied that you understand why – this will prevent you from making multiple applications that are denied for the same reason.

If you’ve been declined a loan, remember that it doesn’t prevent you from applying for another with a different lender. For example, if you’ve been declined by your bank because you don’t meet their more stringent criteria, you can still apply for business financing through Capify – providing you meet our more attainable requirements.

Now you understand more about the background of the various types of lenders that can offer you a path to small business financing, and you understand the sorts of things they’re going to look for when you apply. It’s time to consider actually making the application. It can be a daunting prospect but provided you have some understanding of the process, it can be done relatively simply.

Do your best to be as prepared as possible before you apply. Have all your information to hand, to make it as quick as you can. Here’s what you need to know.

The business loan application process
Before you start your application you should think about how much money you actually want to borrow – if you are using the money for something specific, make sure you’ve properly costed it. You should also be familiar with what you can realistically afford to pay back. Remember that you need to take into account potential interest rates, depending on the loan you choose. Investing the time making sure you know exactly what you need will prevent you from over or under-borrowing.

Applying for a small business loan online
Apply for a small business loan with Capify is easy – take the sting out of the process and use our simple Quick Quote tool to get the ball rolling – you could potentially be pre-approved in minutes!

Where can you find a small business loan?
Direct lenders, such as Capify, can offer you a quick decision and fast payout, but you will have to make your applications one at a time if applying to multiple lenders. Brokers can allow you to choose the most appealing deal, but their broad-stroke searches may miss out key information. A government grant can offer very favourable rates of repayment, however, they may be earmarked for very specific circumstances so have more stringent requirements in the application. Banks, building societies, and credit unions may not be suited for new businesses who cannot provide proof of at least two years in business, however, if you do satisfy their application process you could potentially borrow a larger amount of money.

How long does it take?
It depends entirely on the nature of your loan and the way your lender operates. The actual application can often be done in minutes if you have all the right information to hand. If applying to a bank, it might take several weeks to be processed. Smaller direct lenders may be able to process your application in around a week, depending on their workload. Certain vendors, like Capify, will aim to have your application processed and your loan paid out in as little as a few days.

What do you actually need to apply?
As always, the specifics will vary depending on the loan and your provider. But it’s a good idea to make sure you have a business plan – give some idea about what the money is going to be used for, and present accurate, up to date costings where possible. You should also provide links to your online presence – website, social media feeds etc. Many lenders use these to establish your business standing, to see how you interact with customers, and if you have consistently negative reviews.

You should have your financial documents ready to present – namely bank statements, filed accounts, receipts and invoices, etc. Anything to give your lender a picture of your business’ recent and current financial health. Proof of your time in business will be necessary. You’ll have to provide different proof depending on the lender, but, if you’re applying with Capify you’ll need to demonstrate at least six months in business.

If you have any history of debt/judgements/warrants or any other evidence of a chequered financial history, present these as well. It’s important you’re honest. You’re far more likely to be successful if you’re as truthful as possible than if you try and hide things you think will count against you. If you have collateral to offer as a part of a secured loan, you should prevent a thorough description of it along with a current valuation and proof of ownership.