A real 90-day plan, not vague tips.
D-U-N-S number setup
Free with Dun & Bradstreet. We walk you through the application, expedite if needed, and make sure your file is open before trade lines report.
Starter trade lines
Curated list of vendors who report to D&B/Experian Business/Equifax Business AND extend net-30 terms with minimal credit history.
Pay-on-time discipline
PAYDEX is calculated on actual pay timing: paying EARLY scores higher than paying ON time. We coach the timing.
Unlock lender + lease credit
PAYDEX 80+ + Experian Intelliscore 76+ unlocks SBA lender comfort, real-estate lease approval, equipment financing without personal guarantee.
Avoid personal guarantee
Once business credit is established, most vendor and lender relationships can drop the personal guarantee.
Monitor + maintain
Pull your business credit reports quarterly. Dispute errors fast. Track PAYDEX in BOS dashboard.
A clean handoff, in 4 steps.
Foundation (days 1-15)
EIN active, entity in good standing, business bank account opened, D-U-N-S applied for, business listing claimed (LinkedIn, Google, BBB).
Starter tradelines (days 15-45)
Open 5-7 vendor accounts (Uline, Quill, Grainger, Crown Office, etc.) that report. Use them. Pay 10+ days early.
Score establishment (days 45-75)
PAYDEX file opens after 3+ reported trade experiences. Add a small business credit card. Pay on time.
Scale (days 75-90+)
Target PAYDEX 80+, request credit line increases, apply for lender or lease products. Drop personal guarantees.
One-time, or part of your BOS.
- Customized 90-day plan
- DUNS application help
- Curated trade line list (15+ vendors)
- Banking partner intros
- BOS credit tracker
- Everything in one-time plan
- Quarterly credit pulls
- PAYDEX change alerts
- Dispute coordination
- Lender intro program
- Compliance Subscription included
Common questions.
Why should I build business credit?
Business credit can mean better loan terms, vendor lines of credit like net-30 instead of prepayment, contract and leasing eligibility, and less reliance on your personal credit, and lenders increasingly evaluate it separately. We form the entity and help build the profile that makes this possible. See tradeline reporting.
How long does it take to build business credit?
Generally six to twelve months of consistent payment reporting before scores become meaningful, since a credit file matures over time and scores like PAYDEX need several tradelines reporting. We flag the path so you start building early rather than needing credit you have not yet established.
How do I start building business credit?
By forming an entity with its own EIN and bank account, then opening accounts that report to the business bureaus and paying on time, so the file forms around the business, not you. We handle the foundation and flag which accounts report so your on-time payments actually count.
What is a PAYDEX score?
PAYDEX is Dun and Bradstreet's business credit score, from 0 to 100, based on the payment history of tradelines reporting to D and B, where roughly 80 or above signals reliable payment and often unlocks net-30 terms. We flag how reporting tradelines builds toward a strong PAYDEX. See DUNS.
Which accounts build business credit?
Net-30 vendor accounts, certain business credit cards, and other tradelines that report to the business bureaus build credit, while accounts that do not report add nothing to the file. We flag which accounts report so you build credit deliberately rather than paying on time with nothing recorded. See tradeline reporting.
Do I need an entity to build business credit?
Effectively yes: a formed entity with its own EIN and bank account is what lets a separate business credit file exist, so building it starts with proper formation and separation from personal finances. We form the entity and keep it organized so your business credit has a foundation.
How does business credit help with financing?
A strong business credit profile improves your odds and terms when you seek financing, since lenders and vendors check it, so building credit is preparation for borrowing. We flag how the two connect so credit building is aimed at the financing you will actually want.
Does business credit affect my personal credit?
Building separate business credit can reduce reliance on your personal credit over time, though early on lenders may still consider personal credit, so the two are related but distinct. We flag how they interact so you build a business profile that increasingly stands on its own.
Can File.Business help me build business credit?
Yes: we form the entity, obtain the EIN, help separate your finances, and support enrolling with the bureaus and reporting tradelines, so your business builds its own credit profile over time, positioning you for better financing terms.