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Business Loans

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The small business loans section has in-depth advice articles and guides on how and where start-up companies and small businesses can get a UK business loan, whether from established commercial finance providers, online providers or even family and friends. SmallBusiness.co.uk is working with a panel of trusted partners to help you find the right finance for your business.

A business loan can be sought for many reasons but is typically used to either: start a new enterprise, fund expansion, fund major capital expenditures, or to cover operational costs that a company may otherwise be unable to afford (i.e. for cash flow reasons).

There are two key categories of loan – secured or unsecured – and both types can be made available over short, medium or long-term periods. There are a wide variety of lenders servicing the many different niches and almost all will usually approve business loans based upon the financial strength of the borrowing business and its perceived ability to earn a profit.

Borrowing money is a major step for a company and almost inevitably introduces a raised level risk. However, taking on debt in the form of a loan is also one of the commonest forms of financing small business operations. Our experts write about business loans from the perspective of the UK SME community and our aim is to help readers understand how small business loans work, the many options available, and how to compare and choose between them.

Ultimately, though, a business loan may not always be the best finance option, so we also encourage readers to look at other routes such as grants and the ever expanding alternative finance channels.

Best small business loans in the UK

We explore whether a loan is the right finance option for you along with some of the best small business loans in the UK market

Business Loans

Business Loans

A guide to small business funding: Loans, eligibility and applications

Applying for business funding can be a complex task, so we want to help make things as simple as possible with this easy-to-follow guide.  

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Business Loans

What documents do you need when applying for a business loan?

Different lenders require different business loan documents. Get prepared with this business loan checklist

Business Loans

Fast business funding and loans

Worried about cashflow for your small business? Need cash fast? Find out more about fast business funding and who the key providers are

Business Loans

Business loans for starting up abroad

Here is brief overview on getting finance for an overseas business in the UK – can you do it and what do you need to know?

Business Loans

Getting small business loans with bad credit

Even a small business owner with bad credit may need to borrow unexpectedly for stock or a sudden car repair. Where can you turn to for a small business loan with bad credit?

Business Loans

Alternative business funding for small businesses

For the third year in a row, challenger banks account for a higher share of gross lending to small businesses than the ‘big five’ banks

Business Loans

Getting small business loans with bad credit

Even a small business owner with bad credit may need to borrow unexpectedly for stock or a sudden car repair. Where can you turn to for a small business loan with bad credit?

Business Loans

Alternative business funding for small businesses

For the third year in a row, challenger banks account for a higher share of gross lending to small businesses than the ‘big five’ banks

Business Loans

How to get funding for your business with The Prince’s Trust

The Prince's Trust could give you with a useful mix of funding and mentoring as well as getting to grips with cashflow forecasting.

Business Loans

Personal guarantees for loans stifling growth, say business owners

Small business lobbyist calls out banks’ use of harsh personal guarantees, which can force small business owners to put their homes on the line

Business Loans

How to get a business loan in 5 steps

Follow this 5-step plan if you want to secure a loan for your small business. There is a wealth of high-street banks and alternative SME lenders to choose from.

Business Loans

What is a working capital loan for your business?

A working capital loan can cover your short-term operational needs, whether that’s payroll, rent and any debt repayments. They are especially useful for seasonal businesses.

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16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

Partner content

Why your business should switch to a broadband-based phone network

Analogue phone systems are increasingly being replaced by smarter broadband based networks – here’s why you should consider switching