Guide to Building/Checking a Business Credit Rating

Obtain a DUNS number and get listed with D&B

If someone wants to check your creditworthiness they'll often look first to D&B. A DUNS number from D&B is the industry standard for business listings. Getting one puts you in D&B's database and lets you use D&B as a credit reference.

I recommend: Apply for a DUNS number and build your business credit file at D&B Small Business Solutions. CreditBuilder lets you create a complete credit file from the ground up. Update your record anytime with eUpdate.

Check your file or others

For small, growing companies - especially those doing business with large companies or government entities - a positive credit report is vital. Knowing what's in your file is important since missing or incorrect info can hurt you. And if you grant credit to others, you'll want to know their credit history.

I recommend: Review the business credit solutions offered by the major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. For instant business credit reports online visit Business Reports USA, an Experian affiliate.

Shortcut: Services to help you build business credit

A business credit consulting service can help new business owners separate personal and business credit histories and establish separate business credit.

I recommend: Business Credit Services can help.

High-Volume, low-cost reports

To confirm information on new clients, make low-risk, low-dollar credit decisions, pre-qualify prospects or even generate sales leads, you'll need a subscription credit report service offering unlimited access to data on millions of businesses.

I recommend: Credit.net, a division of database giant InfoUSA, offers low cost solutions for small business.

International credit reports

Doing business outside the U.S.? Accurate and reliable information about the creditworthiness of overseas clients is critical.

I recommend: Get international credit reports here.