How to get a loan to start a small business (UK)

If you are trying to start a small business, getting a loan may seem like a daunting task. You may not know how to go about finding the right place to get the loan, or you may be worried you will be rejected.

Here are some tips on how to get a loan to start a small business:

Set your goals

The first step to getting a loan is to find out exactly why you need the money. Make a plan on how you will use the money to help your business. Don’t just say something like “I need it to pay for everything.” Instead, choose a location for your business and start pricing items such as rent, supplies, and advertising. If you have a clear idea of what the money will be going toward, it could give you a better chance of getting clients or customers because you can show you are prepared and have done your research.

Choose the loan and lender

After deciding where your money will go once you obtain it, it is time to choose the right kind of business loan based on your needs. There are a few different kinds of loans, and they don’t work the same for everyone, so do your research on how each type works and decide which one would better suit your plans. Once you find the right loan, you have to also find the best lender. This is a matter of looking at the terms of each loan to decide where you will get the best deal and make sure that you don’t face problems in the future when trying to pay the loan back.

Look at qualifications for approval

Once you have chosen the right loan and the right lender, look into the qualifications the lender sets for small business loans in the UK. Check your credit score as well as your annual revenue information, if applicable, before you go to make your proposal. Lenders will also look at how long you have been in business and if you will be able to make the payments.

These factors may make it a bit difficult if you are just starting out, however, the lender is likely to look into your personal information, in this case, to see how reliable you are at paying your bills and what your finances look like.

Gather documents

Once you have all of the information you need, start gathering your documents in order to apply for the loans. You will want to submit your business and personal tax returns, bank statements, your business financial statements and legal documents for the business. Again, if you do not yet have a business you may not be able to supply all of these things.

Applying for small business loans in the UK can seem like a scary task, but if you are prepared and you have a good business to stand on, you should have little to no trouble getting the loan you need to start your business or to help with the expenses of a business you have already started. If you are looking into getting a new loan, be sure to do your research and look into your loan and lender options before you apply for one.