9 Types of Small Business Loans—Find the Best Option for You

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Types of Small Business Loans—Everything You Need To Know

Before you request a small business loan, you must understand the types of loans available so that you can land on the best one.

In this article, we will explain different types of small business loans and ways to qualify for one without a hassle. If you need to draft a loan request letter to apply for a small business loan, we are here to help! Subscribe to DoNotPay and create a watertight letter within minutes!

What Are Small Business Loans?

Small business loans are financial solutions that help people run their small and medium-scale businesses. Business owners request loans to meet expenditures, such as day-to-day expenses, purchasing new equipment, or working capital for cash flow. Since the loans are small, they are usually easy to qualify for because they:

  • Require minimal paperwork
  • Do not require a high credit score
  • Are usually processed quickly

Small Business Loan Types

Depending on your budget, there are several types of small business loans to choose from. Each category has different interest rates and repayment schedules, as mentioned below:

Small Business Loan TypeDescription
Small business line of credit
  • A line of credit works like a credit card. You can borrow money up to the credit limit and pay interest on it
  • Useful for people who are not sure of the exact amount of money they require
Merchant cash advance
  • With this loan, you borrow against your future earnings
  • The repayment starts on an agreed-upon percentage and repayment schedule
Startup loans
  • Best for entrepreneurs who require capital to cover the startup costs
  • The amount can range from $500 to $750,000 and has varied interest rates
Small business term loans
  • You get a lump sum that you pay back at a fixed interest rate
  • These loans are used to fund specific business investments
Microloans
  • Nonprofit or government organizations provide small loans of $50,000 or less
  • Ideal for business owners who don’t require a lot of cash right away
Real estate loans
  • Real estate loans help you finance a property for your business
Working capital loans
  • Working capital loans are used to finance the daily expenditures of a business, including rent, salary, and other expenses
SBA small business loans
  • These are loans offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Best for business owners searching for a low-cost loan
  • These loans can take up to three months to get approved
Equipment loans
  • Equipment loans help entrepreneurs replace or buy equipment if a business is expanding
  • They can be easy to acquire

Where To Get a Small Business Loan

Once you choose the type of small business loan you need for your company, the next step is deciding how to get it. Here are some of your options:

  1. Direct online lenders—Their prices are higher compared to other lending options, but the borrowing process is quick, and there aren’t too many requirements
  2. Commercial banks—Although banks can offer bigger loans, they have a demanding requirement process for small business loan borrowers. Banks require a good credit rating, and they have the advantage of giving lower interest rates
  3. Community banks—Community banks are locally operated and smaller than commercial banks. They have an easy loan approval policy compared to commercial banks and do not focus solely on credit scores
  4. Peer-to-peer lending sites—The P2P lending site acts as a middleman between the borrower and the lender. So, instead of a single lender, a group of investors lends the money to a business. This type of loan comes with high interest rates but is often easy to qualify for compared to other options
  5. Bank lenders funded by the SBA—Some SBA lenders are banks with a complicated application process but with lower down payment requirements, low interest rates, and a longer repayment term

How To Qualify for Different Types of Small Business Loans

There are several terms and conditions that you need to comply with to qualify for a small business loan:

  • Build up your credit score—If you intend to get your loan, you need to up your credit score. In case your score is lower than what you need, pay off your debts in time, keep a low balance on credit cards, and pay all your bills
  • Understand the requirements—You must go through the lender’s requirements and qualifications to increase your chances of getting approved for a loan
  • Develop a business plan—Show your lender how you plan to use and return the money. This can include the following aspects:
    • Purpose of your business
    • Reason for getting a loan
    • Market analysis
    • Payment schedule
    • Financial plans
  • Provide collateral if required—Some lenders require you to provide an asset as collateral to take out a small business loan

DoNotPay Can Help You Draft a Loan Request Letter

Have you decided on getting a small business loan from a lender but do not know how to draft the loan request letter? Worry no more because DoNotPay is here to help! Our AI-powered app can assist you in preparing a killer loan request letter in no time.

Here is what you should do once you sign up for DoNotPay:

  1. Search for the Business Loan Request Letter tool
  2. Collect and prepare credit scores and financial statements
  3. Provide information about the loan you intend to apply for or let us help you find the perfect lender for your needs
  4. Upload your documents

Our app will generate a customized loan request letter on your behalf that you can use to apply for the desired loan.

DoNotPay Has Everything You Need for Your Small Business

Navigating numerous business procedures can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have much experience. DoNotPay strives to make the situation easier for business owners, which is why we offer a number of simple-to-use products that can help you take care of various processes, including DMCA agent and Employer Identification Number registration, Privacy Shield program self-certification, and trademark registration and protection.

If you are not sure how to manage the filing of 83(b) election forms, DoNotPay has a solution that will automate the entire process and help you save time. Our app can even generate a convincing small business loan request letter for you. Don’t feel like walking or driving to the post office to send the letter? Use DoNotPay to fax or mail any document in a matter of clicks!

DoNotPay Helps You Deal With Bad Clients

If you need help handling unpleasant situations with your clients, you can rely on DoNotPay. We have created various products to assist you in:

  • Making sure your business is free of negative, illegitimate online reviews—DoNotPay will analyze the review in question, estimate the best reason for reporting it, and report the review until it is deleted
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Resolve various business issues without wasting time or money—DoNotPay has got your back!

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