Types of Alternative Financing for Small Businesses
Extra financing a common problem for small businesses. Maybe you need to hire an employee or you require additional equipment to manage incoming orders. Whatever the case, you need capital to keep the business not just running but growing too.
There is the traditional bank loan, but you’re not sure you’ll qualify. Maybe your application was rejected. Now you’re wondering what alternatives you have.
If you’re looking for alternative financing options for small business, then check out these choices. One of them may be the right fit for your business.
Check Out a Merchant Cash Advance
The first alternative financing option to consider is a merchant cash advance, or MCA. This is different from a loan, because the lender looks at your future sales.
They examine your past credit card sales to determine trends in the business. They use that information to estimate your likely future sales. Then they make you an offer for a cash advance.
The MCA offers more flexibility than a traditional business loan, which makes it more attractive to small businesses. Your payments can fluctuate with your actual sales. If you do more credit card sales in a month, you’ll pay your advance back faster. If you have a bad month, your payment will be smaller, which can take the pressure off your business.
Think about a Line of Credit or Credit Card
A line of credit or business credit card are flexible options. These financing solutions are known as revolving credit. That means you can use them, in full or in part, to fund pretty much whatever your business needs at the moment.
You can then pay them back as possible. As you pay down the line of credit or credit card, the funds become available for you to use again. This could be a great solution for a business with ongoing credit needs or one with some small cash flow issues.
Consider a Microloan
If you only need a small amount of money, you may be turned down for a business loan through the bank. That’s because institutional lenders tend to make big loans. They’re more lucrative for the lender.
One option you have is a microloan. Microloans are typically offered by online lenders or other businesses, not big institutions, so do your research and choose a lender that works for you.
Look at Peer-to-Peer Lending
Yet another option you have is peer-to-peer lending. This could be a loan from a colleague or it might be run through a P2P lending platform.
In the business world, there might be business-to-business, or B2B, lenders as well. These lenders can typically make you a better offer than an institution, and they may be more willing to finance smaller loan needs. You can usually find them online.
You Have Plenty of Options
As you can see, there are plenty of financing options available for small business. If you’ve been turned down for that bank loan, don’t fret. You can still find the funding you need.
Is a merchant cash advance the right solution for you? Get in touch with the experts, and get the funds you need today.