Set Up Your Phone Number Written By Janet Gershen Siegel

How your phone number and email address can get you denied for a business loan

Written by Janet Gershen-Siegel

When you are first starting out, setting up your business can seem daunting. You may be sorely tempted to just take something, anything, in order to be done with it already.

Don’t! Setup is important. And your business can suffer if you don’t take proper steps in the very beginning.

Your Phone Number is Key

Lenders perceive an 800 Number or toll-free phone numbers (such as with other legitimate area codes) as a sign of business credibility. Even if you are a single owner with a business based out of your home, a toll-free telephone number gives forth the perception that you are an even bigger company.

It is incredibly easy and inexpensive to set-up a virtual local phone number or one or more toll free 800 telephone numbers. In addition, you should have a fax number or e-fax. This is because there are still some instances where a business or an individual would want to send or

Do not give a personal cell phone or residential phone as your business phone number.

Directory Setup

With your brand new phone number in hand, what’s the next step? You need to get it listed with 411. This is your business telephone number and also your business’s fax number. Why do you need these? It is because that kind of listing instantly builds and demonstrates business credibility. This is along with a professional website and a physical business address, plus any necessary licensure.

Your phone number must have a listing with 411 for most credit issuers and lenders to approve you. Check your record to determine if your small business has a listing, and that your information is accurate. You can check here: 411.com. If your business does not have a listing, List Yourself, Yext, D&B Credit Builder can help you get your business a listing.

Your Business Email