Why a fast improvement matters

A higher business credit score improves your odds for lower interest rates, larger lines of credit, better lease terms, and supplier credit. Lenders, insurers, and some large vendors consult business credit data from Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business when making decisions. Improving your score quickly can matter if you have a pending loan application, a time-sensitive lease negotiation, or a growth opportunity that depends on capital.

(Author note: In my 15 years advising small businesses, owners who move quickly on errors and vendor reporting often see the fastest gains—sometimes within 30–90 days.)

How business credit scores are calculated and which bureaus matter

Business credit scoring models differ by provider, so there is no single universal score. Common factors across bureaus include:

  • Payment history and on-time payments reported by lenders and vendors.
  • Credit utilization (balance vs available credit on business cards and lines).
  • Public records (UCC filings, liens, judgments; these can have a large negative impact).
  • Age and depth of trade lines and account diversity.
  • Company size, industry risk, and revenue in some predictive models.

Major sources of business credit data:

  • Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) — PAYDEX and other D&B scores (D&B uses the D-U-N-S number to identify companies). (dnb.com)
  • Experian Business — Intelliscore Plus and other business products (experian.com/business).
  • Equifax Small Business — business risk and payment index products (equifax.com/business).

Because ranges and models vary (D&B PAYDEX is 0–100, Experian uses Intelliscore with a 0–100 range, while some Equifax models use different scales), focus more on the underlying behaviors above than on a single number.

Sources: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Fast actions you can take now (0–30 days)

  1. Pull every business credit report and scan for errors
  • Order reports from D&B, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. Many bureaus offer a free snapshot product (for example, D&B and Experian’s free monitoring tools) or pay services for full details. Review company name, address (including d/b/a), EIN, owner names, and account history.
  • Dispute any incorrect tradelines, duplicate accounts, or erroneous public records immediately. Disputes that remove false negatives are often the quickest way to improve a score. (See CFPB guidance on disputing inaccuracies for consumer credit; business disputes are similar in practice and handled by the bureaus.)
  1. Get suppliers and lenders to report on-time payments
  • Not all vendors report to business credit bureaus. Identify vendors that do report (ask accounts payable contacts or check vendor documentation). If current suppliers don’t report, open a small net-30 account with at least one reporting vendor. Positive trade lines create the fastest, legitimate lift in a short period if paid on time.
  1. Pay balances down or pay early
  • Lowering credit utilization on business credit cards or lines is fast and measurable. Paying more than the minimum and paying before statement closing dates reduces reported balances.
  • Where possible, pay key invoices early and request confirmation of payment reporting from vendors.
  1. Fix public records issues where possible
  • If there are mistaken liens, judgments, or UCC filings, start the motions to vacate or correct them. That may involve paying a debt, securing a release, or filing a court/county document to clear an issue.
  1. Separate personal and business finances
  • Make sure you have a dedicated business bank account, a business credit card under the legal business name, and an EIN. Consistency in how your business is presented makes it easier for bureaus to match trade data to your business file.

Short-term actions (30–90 days)

  1. Increase credit limits (responsibly)
  • Request credit limit increases on business cards and lines you manage well. A higher limit with the same balance lowers utilization. Do this selectively; multiple hard inquiries can be harmful if done at once.
  1. Add positive tradelines and diversify credit mix
  • Add a mix of installment and revolving accounts only if they make sense for the business. Vendor credit (net-30) that reports is usually the lowest-friction option.
  1. Automate payments and document routines
  • Set autopay and calendar reminders. Lenders and vendors often request payment histories; having records helps resolve disputes and demonstrates consistent behavior during underwriting.
  1. Use a credit monitoring tool
  • Services such as Nav, D&B’s monitoring, or Experian Business products alert you to new filings or inquiries and help prioritize fixes. Some free options give limited insight, while paid products provide deeper score-level detail.

What can change quickly — and what takes time

  • Likely to move within weeks to a couple of months: corrections to inaccurate reports, reduction in reported credit card balances (if you pay before the statement date), newly reported positive vendor payments.
  • Takes longer (6–12 months+): building age on new accounts, establishing a long history of on-time payments, or recovering from serious public records like liens or judgments.

Be realistic: quick gains are common when correcting errors or getting new positive tradelines to report. Structural changes like age and diversity require time.

A 90-day action plan (practical checklist)

Days 1–7

  • Pull reports from D&B, Experian, and Equifax.
  • Identify and lodge disputes for clear errors.
  • Open or confirm a dedicated business bank account and get an EIN in place if missing.

Days 8–30

  • Negotiate reporting with at least one vendor or open a net-30 account with a known reporting supplier.
  • Pay down credit card balances and target under 30% utilization; better if you can get under 10% on key cards.
  • Automate payments for all trade accounts.

Days 31–90

  • Ask card issuers for credit limit increases where appropriate.
  • Monitor reports weekly and track dispute outcomes.
  • Document improved payment history and be prepared to present it to lenders if you have a pending application.

Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid

  • Mixing personal and business credit: not using a formal business name, sharing a personal address, or co-mingling accounts can prevent tradelines from matching correctly.
  • Opening too much new credit at once: multiple hard inquiries and many new accounts can lower perceived stability.
  • Assuming all vendors report: some popular suppliers don’t report—always confirm before relying on a vendor to build credit.
  • Paying off old collections without documentation: obtain and save signed release letters or proof of removal of public records.

When to consider professional help

If your file contains complex public records (multiple UCC filings, tax liens, or judgments), or you’re preparing for a large loan, a business credit specialist or small business attorney can help negotiate releases and manage disputes. In my practice I’ve seen structured dispute packages and creditor negotiations remove incorrect entries faster than ad-hoc attempts.

Links and further reading (internal)

(These links are selected to help you build a practical, durable credit profile.)

Final professional tips

  • Document everything. Keep copies of invoices, receipts, dispute confirmations, releases, and communications with suppliers and bureaus.
  • Prioritize actions that correct inaccuracies and establish at least one reliable reporting tradeline quickly.
  • Don’t chase quick-fix gimmicks promising immediate 100-point jumps—legitimate improvement is usually the product of accurate reporting, responsible use of credit, and time.

Professional disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Results vary by business situation. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified financial advisor, accountant, or attorney.

Authoritative sources

(Information verified as of 2025.)