As we edge ever closer towards a completely cashless society, credit cards are becoming more and more necessary. Business credit cards are also enormously helpful for bookkeeping, payment protection and emergency funds. So long as you manage your account well, a business credit card can really help you to manage your cash flow more effectively and smooth out any bumps along the way. Here are the top reasons to get a credit card for your small business.
Separate Business and Personal Transactions
It’s important to keep your personal and business transactions separate. When you use the same account for both types of expenses it becomes very difficult to understand how your business is actually faring financially. Furthermore, it can be tricky to remember which transactions were personal and which were business-related, leading to problems and headaches when it comes to filing your tax return – not to mention missed deductions. A business credit card keeps a simple log of all of your transactions, functioning as a basic bookkeeping system and giving you a clearer picture of your financial situation.
Most business credit cards provide summaries of your spending, simplifying your data for you. Better still, many providers allow you to export your transactions to your cloud accounting software program so that you don’t have to waste time on data entry. This is enormously useful for analysing your spending habits and creating cash flow projections to help you better manage your money.
Build a Better Credit Score
A business credit card is an excellent way to build a good credit history or improve a less-than-stellar reputation. Of course, in order to do this you must manage your card well, keeping your balance low and making fast repayments. Doing so will increase your score and mean that you will be a more appealing borrower and receive better interest rates.
Convenience and Protection
A business credit card gives you easy access to funds – no waiting for clearance or processing. You can make purchases quickly and easily, and you’ll benefit from free purchase protection, too. This provides your small business with a basic line of defence against theft and fraud.
A Cash Reserve
Every business needs a cash reserve for emergencies or difficult times. A business credit card provides a line of credit, allowing you to continue operations when funds are running low. This also gives you more freedom and flexibility when making purchases to grow your business. As a small business owner, you often have to spend money in order to make money and a credit card can really help with this.
Of course, a business credit card should only be used as a short-term solution to avoid mounting debts and interest. It’s very useful when a customer is late with payment or you’re waiting for funds to clear, but it can’t keep you afloat forever.
Discounts and Rewards
Some business credit cards offer lucrative bonuses and discounts which can be good news for your cash flow. You may also be able to earn cashback on certain purchases and earn rewards points, which you can later cash in for business expenses.
There are many great business credit cards out there with an array of lucrative rewards. It’s worth shopping around to ensure that you choose the card that’s most closely suited to your needs. For example, if you travel a lot for business purposes then a card which allows you to earn AirMiles would be a wise choice.
Summary
A business credit card offers flexibility, convenience and peace of mind for small business owners. Using a business credit card can simplify your financial records, save you money and protect your company during tough times and emergencies. So long as you keep a close eye on your balance and keep up with repayments, using a business credit card can greatly improve your cash flow management.
