October 13, 2021

Online Business Loans: How to Secure This Type of Financing

Tags

  • Merchant Cash Advance

  • Small Business Loans

Many online lenders aren't banks in the traditional sense, but instead offer “alternative” financing. For example, an online lender might offer cash advances and invoice financing. Further, online lenders are often willing to work with businesses that traditional banks have shied away from. Many “bankable” clients are now working with online lenders as well. Why? Online loans are generally easier to apply for and financing is available faster than traditional bank funding. Due to this, small businesses that would easily qualify for traditional bank loans often choose online lenders instead. In this blog post, we'll explain everything you need to know about online business loan programs. Specifically, we'll review their benefits, downsides, and how the loan application process typically works.

The Pros of Online Lenders

Obtaining an online business loan comes with many advantages, including:
  • Application process that requires less documentation and can be completed anytime.
  • Quick response (often 1 business day or less)
  • Funds are generally distributed more quickly; often, they are sent to the applicants’ bank account within days.
  • Lenders may be willing to work with new businesses or those with poor credit scores.
These are just some of the many benefits of applying for a small business loan online. Of course, the most important advantage is access to financial capital that you can then invest in your business.

The Cons of Online Lenders

While obtaining an online business loan comes with many advantages, there are some drawbacks, including:
  • The plethora of funding options can be overwhelming.
  • Loan scams are prevalent on the Internet
  • In some cases, online business loans come with higher Interest rates in comparison to other funding options.
While there are drawbacks to applying for online business loans, many of them can be mitigated with due diligence.

Different Online Business Loan Options

Online lenders offer a variety of financing options including term loans, lines of credit, cash advances, and invoice financing. Each of these financing options provides its own unique advantages. We’ll examine a few popular options so you can select the online financing option that’s right for you.

Term Loans

Term loans require regular, fixed payments and interest is charged in exchange for financing. Typically, term loans are considered “traditional” loans.

The Benefits of Term Loans:

  • Streamlined application process.
  • Often affordable interest rates.
  • Not required to surrender equity or sales.

The Downsides of Term Loans:

  • Application process usually requires considerable documentation
  • Little to no flexibility in payments.

Business Lines of Credit

A line of credit is very similar to a business credit card. Once you receive a credit line, your business will be provided with a credit limit. Then, you can draw funds as needed until the limit is reached.

The Benefits of Business Credit Lines:

  • Offers quick and easy access to cash (once approved).
  • Provides financial flexibility.
  • Flexible repayment terms
  • Pay interest only on withdrawn loan amount.

The Downsides of Business Credit Lines:

  • May have to pay annual fees.
  • Need to monitor variable interest rates

Merchant Cash Advances

With a cash advance, you’ll sell a portion of your future credit card earnings in exchange for immediate funding.

The Benefits of Cash Advances:

  • Remittance is flexible, as it is based on your earnings.
  • Considered easy to qualify for
  • No upfront collateral required.

 The Downsides of Cash Advances:

  • Total costs can be higher than traditional financing options.
  • Will reduce future earnings, as you'll remit a percentage of your future credit card sales to fulfill your financial obligations.

Invoice Financing

Accounts receivable financing is like a cash advance in that you aren’t receiving a loan, but instead selling an asset. In this case, you’ll sell invoices in exchange for additional working capital.

The Benefits of Invoice Financing:

  • No need for collateral.
  • Lender assumes risk of collecting receivables.
  • Upfront collateral isn’t required

 The Downsides of Invoice Financing:

  • Total costs can be higher than more traditional financing options.
  • Will reduce future earnings

The Online Business Loan Application Process

The online application process will vary from lender to lender. The process will also be different for each financing option. Invoice Financing, for example, will require you to submit invoices. For a cash advance, the lender will require credit card receipts. You'll typically need to provide the following information:
  • Collect relevant documentation, including Profit/Loss sheets, income statements, and documented expenses.
  • Find your business license
  • Obtain a copy of your business lease and/or title for property.
  • Organize your bank statements from the last three months.
  • Gather your personal financial information, including your income tax returns.
  • Examine a variety of lender websites and review the terms and conditions.
Each loan application will differ depending on the lender. However, by following this list, you’ll already have most of the required documents and information on hand. Try to be as thorough as possible while examining financing options and ensure that you’ve completed your application correctly. New call-to-action

Conclusion: Consider Online Business Financing

Online business loans can be a great resource for businesses in need of financing. Online lenders offer a variety of financing options, allowing you to select the financing that works best for you. The relatively quick and painless application process is also a plus for busy small business owners. Regardless of your business's financial situation or funding needs, remember to consider online business loans! These loans offer business owners access to additional cash flow, a fast application process, and less prerequisites than other lending programs. Editor’s Note: This post was updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in October 2021.