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Securing Your Business With the Right Credit Card

Securing Your Business With the Right Credit Card

In today's world, running a business without accepting credit card payments is virtually impossible. Many people don't even carry cash when they run errands, go to dinner, or indulge in a little retail therapy. As a matter of fact, you might even be one of these people. If this is the case, opening a business credit card account is a smart move. Not only will this help you avoid the temptation to put business expenses on your personal credit card, but you might gain some rewards along the way.

Here, we explore some of the factors you should take into consideration in order to select the ideal credit card, the importance of credit card security and fraud protection, and effective strategies for managing all of your small business expenses.

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Credit: Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images

Choosing the Right Business Credit Card

There are dozens of business credit cards on the market today. Some are offered by major brands like Capital One and Discover, while others might be offered by your local bank. It is important to compare various cards to make sure you choose the option that is the best fit for your needs. Consider the following factors:

Payment Flexibility - Some credit card companies allow cardholders to choose their payment due date. If you sometimes struggle to pay bills at certain times of the month, this could be a priority feature for you when choosing a small business credit card.

Benefits and Rewards - Many business credit cards offer rewards like cash back on qualifying purchases, travel perks, or discounts on business-related expenses. Choosing a card that has benefits you will use on a regular basis can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars over time.

Interest Rates and Fees - Carefully review the interest rates and fees associated with all of the credit cards on your shortlist. Low interest rates can save money in the long run, while understanding fees helps avoid unexpected financial burdens. A financial advisor can assist if you have questions about this topic.

Credit Card Security and Fraud Protection

As the digital world increasingly becomes integrated with everyday life, the possibility of becoming a victim of fraud or another cyber crime also increases. To mitigate your risk, make sure you choose a business credit card that offers the security features you need, such as:

EMV Chip Technology - EMV chip-enabled credit cards provide an extra layer of security by generating a unique transaction code for each purchase, making it harder for criminals to clone cards. The majority of modern credit cards are equipped with this technology.

Fraud Alerts and Monitoring - Choose a credit card issuer that offers real-time fraud alerts and monitoring services. These systems can quickly detect and notify you of suspicious transactions, helping to protect your hard-earned money. 

Zero Liability Protection - Look for credit cards with zero liability protection, which ensures that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions if you report them promptly. This feature often goes hand-in-hand with fraud alerts. Often, if an alert is issued and you inform your credit card company you did not authorize the transaction in question, it will be immediately declined.

Managing Business Expenses Using a Credit Card

Effectively managing business expenses using a credit card can be challenging, but there are some guidelines you can follow to make the process easier.

Establishing a clear expense policy is essential. This policy should outline permissible charges on the business credit card and clearly detail who in your company has access to the card. This prevents misuse. Any trusted employees who are authorized users of your card should be instructed to hand-in receipts for business-related expenses when they return the card to you. This allows you to cross-check charges later.

To that end, regularly monitoring your credit card statements is another good idea. This way,  you can track expenses, detect discrepancies, and ensure that your company's expense policy is being followed. Finally, on a personal note, make sure you maintain both business and personal accounts. Having a business bank account has a number of benefits, including the fact that it keeps all of your company's transactions separate from your family's personal expenses.

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Credit: Betsie Van Der Meer/Getty Images

Selecting the right business credit card goes beyond just picking a convenient payment method. It's about making an informed decisions that contributes to your business's financial well-being and security. 

Feature Image Credit: Westend61/Getty Images

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Rebekah Barton

Rebekah Barton

Rebekah's search engine optimization career began completely by accident as a college student. Over the course of her career so far, she has "grown up" with the SEO industry, from writing content while juggling classes to managing her own teams of writers and overseeing SEO strategy in subsequent roles. She is excited to bring her passion for high-quality content to CountingWorks, Inc.

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