5 Strategic Investments to Put Your Small Business Credit to Work

hether you’re just starting out or are ready to make a big move, you need capital to power your small business. And if you don’t have the money readily accessible, you’ll likely need to access some form of small business credit in the form of a loan, line of credit, or merchant cash advance.

Before you start researching which lending product best fits your business, you’ll first need to make some key decisions. The first and most important is determining exactly how you plan to use your influx of cash and how you’ll pay it back. A strategic and focused plan on how you’ll put that money to work helps you get the most out of your business funds and positions your small business to succeed long-term.

Every business is different, but here are a few popular areas business owners invest in when they have access to extra funds.

Top 5 Areas To Invest Your Funds As A Small Business Owner

1. Purchasing inventory

If you’re a retailer, e-commerce merchant, or drop shipper, having extra cash on hand is an excellent opportunity to stock up on inventory strategically. Not only does more inventory give businesses more to sell, but you may find it easier to get discounted bulk pricing, manage seasonal dips, replenish stock, or try a new product line.

2. Purchasing equipment

Another common reason small businesses seek loans or other influxes of cash is for large, impactful purchases. Using a credit-based product to purchase or repair expensive equipment allows a business to spread payments over several months rather than paying the total cost upfront.

The same logic applies to technology products. Whether a new computer or point of sale system, or a new accounting or customer relationship management (CRM) software, investing in your company’s technology can improve your efficiency and ability to deliver a great experience to customers.

3. Improving short-term cash flow

Sometimes a little extra peace of mind can go a long way. Many businesses take out loans or access similar credit-based products to avoid cash-flow crunches or lost momentum to avoid late payments to themselves, their employees, or vendors.

Whether you’re just getting started or weathering a slow period, access to extra capital can keep your day-to-day operations running smoothly, so you can focus on identifying growth opportunities for your business.

4. Hiring

Every business wants to grow, but growth doesn’t come without challenges. Growing your team with a full- or part-time employee can sometimes be the best path to capitalize on your business opportunity. Business credit can help you navigate the upfront costs of hiring.

5. Sales and Marketing

While businesses generally consider sales and marketing secondary concerns to their product, growth requires attracting and engaging new customers and retaining existing ones. Whether through paid marketing efforts, tools to manage your online presence, or software to build long-term relationships with your existing customers, investing in marketing can help your business take meaningful steps forward.

The Takeaway

Consider which type of investment will drive the highest positive impact and position you for long-term success. A game plan for how you intend to spend your business funds will help you decide how much your business should borrow and which lending product is right for you.