{"id":20184,"date":"2024-11-19T16:45:19","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T16:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=20184"},"modified":"2025-05-07T14:53:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:53:51","slug":"business-line-of-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/business-line-of-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"What are business credit lines and how to apply for one"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are business credit lines and how to apply for one\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-11-19T16:45:19+00:00\">19 November, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"What are business credit lines and how to apply for one\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/business-line-of-credit\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/kieronjohnson\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Kieron-Johnson-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"kieron-johnson-profile-picture\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Kieron-Johnson-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Kieron-Johnson.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Kieron Johnson<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As a serial <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-6-rules-to-break-for-successful-entrepreneurship-john-mullins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">entrepreneur<\/a>, it&#8217;s no secret that you&#8217;ve always wanted to see your customers queuing around the block just to get their hands on your latest product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When that day finally arrives and, after a week or so, your coveted product is completely sold out, what should happen next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As much as you want to continue riding the wave of success, your business simply doesn&#8217;t have the cash to buy more supplies to meet the soaring demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One solution is applying for a business line of credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Credit lines are a short-term finance option that allows your business to replenish its inventory and repay its debt whenever revenue from new stock starts rolling in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, your business benefits from peak customer demand without being burdened by long-term debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we&#8217;ll explain what a business credit line is and how to apply for one. We&#8217;ll also cover what a credit line should (and shouldn&#8217;t) be used for, the pros and cons of using one, and alternative forms of short-term funding for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-a-business-line-of-credit\" data-level=\"2\">What is a business line of credit?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-should-a-business-line-of-credit-be-used-for\" data-level=\"2\">What should a business line of credit be used for?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-is-it-possible-to-apply-for-a-business-line-of-credit-with-poor-credit\" data-level=\"2\">Is it possible to apply for a business line of credit with poor credit?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-does-a-business-line-of-credit-differ-from-other-forms-of-short-term-financing\" data-level=\"2\">How does a business line of credit differ from other forms of short-term financing?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-final-thoughts\" data-level=\"2\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t>Get your free cash flow forecast template and use it to project how much cash will be flowing in and out of your business, and when<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-business-line-of-credit\">What is a business line of credit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Short-term finance comes in many different forms and a business credit line is one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like a business credit card, a credit line is a form of revolving credit, which enables your business to continually borrow money whenever it&#8217;s needed up to an agreed credit limit\u2014without having to make a fresh application each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your business can draw funds from its credit line\u2014either as a lump sum or in instalments\u2014and only pays interest or fees on the amount borrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business credit lines come in two forms: secured and unsecured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A secured credit line uses your company&#8217;s assets as collateral against the loan and, if your business doesn&#8217;t repay the debt, the lender can claim its assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By contrast, an unsecured credit line doesn&#8217;t require collateral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But in this case, your business will need a good credit score, be in business for a minimum number of years, and have consistent annual revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A secured credit line usually attracts more favourable loan terms than its unsecured counterpart, which include higher credit limits and lower interest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-should-a-business-line-of-credit-be-used-for\">What should a business line of credit be used for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A business credit line is typically used for short-term purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, your business may need to recruit seasonal workers or offer sign-on bonuses to incentivise top-tier talent to join your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, a credit line can be used to even out the ebbs and flows in your company&#8217;s cash reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other common uses include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buying inventory or equipment<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paying vendors or payroll<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covering unexpected repairs<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some lenders prohibit credit lines being used for long-term debt repayments and capital expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this restriction in mind, it&#8217;s a good idea to check the policy of potential lenders before taking out a line of credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can apply for a business credit line from your local bank, credit union, or independent lender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of which lending facility you use, you&#8217;ll need to provide the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The nature of your business<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The name, address, and contact details of yourself and your business<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your business records and other financial information, such as your company&#8217;s bank statements, balance sheets, and credit history.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The lender will assess your company&#8217;s application for a credit line and let you know if it&#8217;s been approved and, if so, how much credit your business can access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-it-possible-to-apply-for-a-business-line-of-credit-with-poor-credit\">Is it possible to apply for a business line of credit with poor credit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if your business has a poor credit history, it&#8217;s still possible to get a credit line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But because your business falls within a higher risk category, the terms offered will probably be less favourable, such as smaller loan amounts, more frequent repayments, shorter repayment periods, or higher interest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of your company&#8217;s credit history, you may need to pay the following fees in connection with your new credit line:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An annual fee<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An application fee (to process your company&#8217;s application)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A draw fee (each time your business draws on its credit line)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A maintenance fee (to keep your company&#8217;s credit line active)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An inactivity fee (if your business doesn&#8217;t use the facility for a certain period of time).<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-a-business-line-of-credit-differ-from-other-forms-of-short-term-financing\">How does a business line of credit differ from other forms of short-term financing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It may also be worthwhile exploring two alternative forms of short-term financing: business credit cards and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/government-grants-for-small-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">business loans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business credit lines and business credit cards are alike in that they&#8217;re both revolving forms of credit, but they also differ in three respects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-credit-limit\"><strong>1. Credit limit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If your company has a secured business credit line, it will usually have a higher credit limit than a business credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-purpose-of-funds\">2. Purpose of funds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A credit line is appropriate if your business needs to meet substantial short-term costs, such as managing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/cash-flow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cash flow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if your business needs money for smaller, everyday transactions, like paying for travel expenses, a business credit card may be more suitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-interest-rates-and-fees\">3. Interest rates and fees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A business credit line may have a lower interest rate than a business credit card, but it will probably come with additional fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike a business credit line, business credit cards typically offer your business interest-free periods and reward programs, such as cash back and travel points, which can benefit your business if it makes regular purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second alternative to a business credit line is a business loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the main differences between the two funding options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-credit-limit-0\">1. Credit limit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A business credit line has a revolving credit limit whereas a business loan provides your business with a lump sum upfront, which it repays over a fixed term with interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-purpose-of-funds-0\">2. Purpose of funds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Business credit lines are intended to meet your company&#8217;s everyday needs whereas business loans are best suited to making one-off large-scale investments, such as buying property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-repayment\">3. Repayment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Like a business credit card, your business can use a credit line to borrow, make repayments, and borrow again, provided it doesn&#8217;t exceed the credit limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By contrast, a business loan requires your company to make full repayment over a specific period, after which your business has to re-apply to the lender if it needs additional funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s used to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-grow-a-business-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">grow your business<\/a> or meet short-term cash flow shortages, a business credit line can provide a lifeline for your business when it&#8217;s low on funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a business credit line doesn&#8217;t quite fit the bill as a stand-alone funding solution, you can always combine it with complimentary short-term finance options, such as business credit cards for day-to-day expenses and business loans for more significant expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of your funding preferences, it&#8217;s important to explore various options and choose a reputable lender offering the most favourable terms and transparent fees because short-term finance can equate to long-term momentum for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Cash flow forecast template<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Get your free cash flow forecast template and use it to project how much cash will be flowing in and out of your business, and when.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download the cash flow forecast template<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1303226324-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Young woman reading in a library setting\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1303226324-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-costs\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness costs\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-finances\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness finances\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-support\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness support\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-15795 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accountant-accounting tag-accountant-automation tag-brexit-business tag-business-finances business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"man in office\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1325244864-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T15:28:18+01:00\">2 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-account-reconciliation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAccount reconciliation: What it is and best practices\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tAn important account reconciliation guide including the basics, best practices, and why account reconciliation is essential for businesses.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-30283 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-finances tag-financial-education business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/strategic-budgeting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944060494-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944060494-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944060494-768x478.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-944060494-1300x810.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-27T15:12:53+01:00\">27 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tStrategic budgeting explained: the finance team&#8217;s role in long-term planning\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-30270 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-reporting business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-saas\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/saas-revenue-recognition\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A man using a computer and protecting himself from phishing\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-27T12:11:12+01:00\">27 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">14 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tA guide to SaaS revenue recognition with examples\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-9993 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-start-business tag-sound-advice-podcast post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-how-to-fund-your-startup-sam-jones\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Sam Jones\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-810x810.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-21T15:03:16+01:00\">21 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">37 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to fund\u00a0a\u00a0start-up: Top tips from\u00a0Dragons\u2019\u00a0Den\u2019s \u2018best ever pitcher\u2019\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-10198 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-finances tag-circular-economy tag-start-business tag-sound-advice-podcast tag-startup-stories tag-sustainability post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-start-small-business-mart-drake-knight\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_22-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Mart Drake-Knight\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_22-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_22-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_22-810x810.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-20T17:00:12+01:00\">20 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">36 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow small\u00a0start-ups can take shape with little money and a big idea\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Short-term financing can have long-term business benefits. So it pays to know the difference between business credit lines and business credit cards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1766,"featured_media":11626,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[197,135,124],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[],"imagine_tag":[91,109],"coauthors":[402],"class_list":["post-20184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-business-costs","tag-business-finances","tag-business-support","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Kieron Johnson","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1146164056.jpg","imagine_tags":{"91":"Growing business","109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1766"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20184"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20184\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/11626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=20184"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=20184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}