Small Business Loans – What Are the Top Options?

If you are considering starting your own business, one of the biggest questions is – “what should I do about small business loans?” There are many ideas out there that can help you get started, but finding the right small business loans takes some research.

You need to understand the available options for small business loans. Many businesses are being built today as the economy suffers. To help you out, we have put together a shortlist of top business loans and funding opportunities to help you along your way.

Startup Loans & Small Business Financing Options. Getting the right startup business loans can be difficult, especially when you consider the fact that small business loans are usually unsecured. That means there is no collateral or asset to secure it, which makes the lending process much riskier than traditional loans. This makes it imperative that you have a great idea for a startup before looking for startup capital. But even if you do, finding startup funding can be tricky.

Angel Investors & Small Business Loan Options. If you have an existing business that’s generating income, it can be very difficult to raise venture capital – which is where angel investors come in. They are usually wealthy individuals who are willing to invest in your startup, often for a large percentage of the company’s future profits. Angel investors provide small business loans, but they are much rarer than traditional lending sources.

Business Acquisition Loans & Small Business Financing Options. If you don’t currently own a property that you can use as collateral, you might want to look into acquisition loans. When you acquire a business, however, you don’t take all of the equity out of the current operation. Instead, you take a note of it and use it for additional funding.

Typically, business acquisition loans are used for purchasing existing businesses. If the market conditions are favorable, this type of financing can be extremely helpful for small businesses.

Self-Certification Loans & SBA Loans. The Small Business Administration offers many different programs that small business owners can qualify for, including both traditional and self-certification loans. The self-certification loan requires that borrowers pledge their personal property as collateral, which makes it easier for the lender to verify claims and make sure that the proceeds will be used for the anticipated expenses.

Here are just five of the different types of Small Business Loans available. Depending on your needs and financial situation, you may find that these specific types of Small Business Loans can help you get the funding you need to grow your business.

Each has its benefits and disadvantages. If you’re starting a business from scratch, there probably aren’t any special requirements for funding. But for those who have been acquired and already operating for some time, there should be a way for you to qualify for the right loan.