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Zero to Business Credit: A Simple 90-Day Playbook

Sep 01, 2025By Adam Dudley
Adam Dudley

Read This First: Why Business Credit Comes Before Applications

Most entrepreneurs sprint to credit cards and lines—then get declined because the basics aren’t set. Business credit isn’t a hack; it’s a sequence. When your foundation is clean (entity, EIN, address, phone, website, bank), vendors can find you in the bureaus, invoices start reporting, and scores move. That’s what unlocks real terms and higher limits without dragging your personal credit into every purchase.

In plain English: business credit lets you buy what you need now and pay later—while keeping your personal profile out of day-to-day swings. It also signals legitimacy to landlords, suppliers, and insurers. The goal isn’t to “collect accounts”; it’s to build a track record of early, consistent payments with companies that actually report.

Follow this playbook and, in ~90 days, you should have:

  • 5–8 reporting tradelines paid early,
  • a PAYDEX 80 target in reach,
  • eligibility for fleet/store lines and select revenue-based corporate cards,
  • and a cleaner paper trail for future approvals (and better terms).

No noise. Just setup → small purchases → early pay → repeat.

Why business credit matters (plain English)

Business credit is your company’s financial reputation—separate from your personal credit when set up correctly. Strong business credit helps you:

  • Get Net-30/Net-60 terms (better cash flow).
  • Qualify for higher limits and lower rates over time.
  • Keep your personal credit out of routine business spend.
  • Look legit to vendors, landlords, and insurers.

There’s no magic. Open accounts that report, use them, and pay early.

Step 0: Fundability checklist (fix this first)

  • Make sure every database sees the same business.
  • Entity: Form an LLC or Corporation (separates business from you).
  • EIN: Free from the IRS. Don’t use your SSN.
  • Business address: Physical or reputable virtual office (avoid P.O. Boxes).
  • Phone: Business number (VOIP is fine) listed publicly (411/directories).
  • Domain & email: Your own domain + [email protected] (avoid free personal email on apps).
  • Website: Simple, professional, shows services, address, contact.
  • Banking: Open a business checking account. Don’t commingle funds.
  • Licenses: Any required licenses in the business name and address.

Credit bureaus:

  • Get your free D-U-N-S® Number (Dun & Bradstreet).
  • Make sure Experian Business and Equifax Business can locate your company (files grow as data reports).
  • Consistency: Exact legal name, address, and phone match everywhere (state, IRS, bank, website, invoices).

Pro tip: Keep a master text file with your legal details. Copy-paste into every application to avoid mismatches.

Days 0–30: Establish identity + first tradelines

Goal: Open 3–5 Net-30 accounts that report. Make small purchases. Pay 10–15 days early.

1. Finish the fundability checklist above.

2. Apply for starter vendors (examples—always verify current reporting on each site or via support before you apply):

  • Office/supplies/industrial: Uline, Quill, Grainger, Summa Office Supplies, Crown Office Supplies, HD Supply.
  • Services/data: NAV Business (a paid plan can add a reporting tradeline and gives monitoring).

3. Place modest orders ($50–$100), let invoices post, then pay early.

4. Track: invoice date, due date, payment date, amount, and which bureau(s) they report to.

Target: PAYDEX 80 (D&B) = you pay on time/early.

Days 31–60: Add depth + start monitoring

Goal: Round out your file and watch scores appear.

  • Add 2–3 more reporting vendors (verify reporting first).
  • Start monitoring: D&B (PAYDEX), Experian (Intelliscore), Equifax Business. Tools like NAV can show all three.
  • Fix any name/address/phone mismatches you see.
  • Keep paying early—a single late pay can crush a thin file.
  • Some vendors will report with a request or minimum spend—ask.

Days 61–90: Graduate to higher tiers

Goal: Move beyond starter tradelines into tools that help operations.

  • Fleet fuel cards (WEX/FleetCor/Shell/BP). Some allow no PG with a solid file; others want a small deposit or PG when you’re new.
  • Store lines (Staples/Office Depot, Lowe’s/Home Depot, etc.). Requirements vary; many ask for a PG until your file matures.
  • Revenue-based corporate cards (if eligible): Ramp, Brex, Divvy/Bill—tend to weigh cash balance and revenue more than personal credit.
  • Traditional business credit cards: Often need a personal guarantee early on. Prefer issuers that don’t report routine balances to personal credit (policies change—verify first).

Reality check: True no-PG is rare for brand-new businesses. Build history and revisit.

How business credit is scored (quick)

  • D&B PAYDEX (0–100): Heavily based on payment timeliness to reporting vendors. 80 = on time; higher often means early.
  • Experian Intelliscore (1–100): Mix of tradelines, balances, payment behavior, collections, public records.
  • Equifax Business: Looks at payment trends, days beyond terms, public records, industry risk.

Your easiest lever: consistently pay early to accounts that report.

Common mistakes (skip these)

  • Applying before you fix fundability.
  • Using vendors that don’t report (verify first).
  • Paying on the due date (pay early, especially with thin files).
  • Commingling personal and business money.
  • Inconsistent legal name/address/phone across IRS, bank, and bureaus.
  • Buying tradelines (risky, often non-compliant, short-lived).
  • Shotgunning applications (inquiries + declines = ugly file).

One-page checklist (screenshot this)

  • LLC/Corp formed • EIN issued • Address/phone/domain/site live
  • Business bank account open • Licenses in business name
  • D-U-N-S obtained • Experian/Equifax files located/created
  • 3–5 Net-30 vendors (reporting confirmed)
  • Small orders placed; invoices paid 10–15 days early
  • Add 2–3 more vendors by day 60; start monitoring
  • Apply for fleet/store lines or revenue-based corporate cards by day 90 (if eligible)
  • Keep everything consistent and on time — aim for PAYDEX 80

Glossary (fast)

  • Net-30/Net-60: You have 30/60 days to pay the invoice.
  • Tradeline: A reporting account on your business credit file.
  • PAYDEX 80: D&B score that signals on-time payment behavior.
  • PG (Personal Guarantee): You personally back the debt.
  • UCC filing: Lender’s claim on business assets for a specific line.

FAQs

  1. How fast can I get a PAYDEX score?
    Once 3+ reporting tradelines hit and you pay on time/early, scores often appear within a few cycles.
  2. Do I really need a D-U-N-S number?
    Yes—for D&B scoring and many vendor relationships. It’s free.
  3. Can I build business credit with no revenue?
    You can build vendor history and data. Higher limits and no-PG products usually require revenue and time in business.
  4. Is using a PG a bad thing?
    Not automatically. Some issuers don’t report normal activity to personal credit unless you default. Verify current policy before applying.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and isn’t financial, legal, or tax advice. Product policies and reporting practices change—verify directly with each vendor or issuer before applying. Results vary based on your business profile and payment behavior.