How to Build Business Credit in 90 Days: Step-by-Step Strategy

You don't need years to build business credit. You need 90 days and a system.

Most business owners think building credit is a slow, passive process—open a few accounts, wait, and hope something happens. That's how you end up two years in with nothing to show.

The business owners who build credit fast follow a specific sequence: right accounts, right timing, right payment behavior. They're not lucky—they're strategic.

Here's the exact 90-day playbook to go from zero business credit to a Paydex of 80+ and multiple reporting trade lines.

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Before You Start: The Prerequisites

Don't skip this section. Missing any of these will stall your progress.

Business Foundation Checklist

Entity structure:

• LLC or Corporation formed
• Operating agreement in place
• Business in good standing with state

Federal identification:

• EIN obtained from IRS
• Keep your CP575 letter (EIN confirmation)

Business banking:

• Business checking account open 30+ days
• Account in your business legal name
• Some transaction history

Business identity:

• Business phone number (separate from personal)
• Business address (virtual office acceptable)
• Professional email (you@yourbusiness.com)
• Basic website with contact info

If you're missing any items, handle them this week. Everything else builds on this foundation.

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Days 1-14: Get Your D-U-N-S Number

Your D-U-N-S Number is the key to the entire strategy. Without it, you can't build a Paydex score.

What to Do

Day 1-2: Apply for your D-U-N-S Number

Go to dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html and complete the free application.

Information you'll need:

• Legal business name
• Business address
• Phone number
• Annual revenue estimate
• Number of employees
• Industry/SIC code

Day 3-14: Wait for processing

Standard processing takes up to 30 days. You can pay to expedite (about $229 for same-day), but it's not necessary if you plan ahead.

During the wait: Verify your business listings

While waiting for your D-U-N-S, ensure your business information is consistent across:

• Secretary of State records
• IRS records (EIN application)
• Bank account
• Business phone listing
• Website

Inconsistencies cause verification delays and can complicate credit applications later.

What Not to Do

Don't buy D&B's credit monitoring packages. They'll try to upsell you. The D-U-N-S Number itself is free, and you don't need their paid services to build credit.

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Days 15-30: Open Tier 1 Vendor Accounts

Once your D-U-N-S Number is active, you can start building trade references. Start with vendors that approve new businesses.

Week 3: Apply for 2-3 Starter Vendors

These vendors report to business credit bureaus and approve most businesses with valid D-U-N-S numbers:

Uline (Shipping/Packaging Supplies)

• Reports to: D&B, Experian
• Initial credit: Net-30, typically $500-$1,000
• Minimum purchase: ~$50
• Apply: uline.com/CreditApplication

Quill (Office Supplies)

• Reports to: D&B, Experian
• Initial credit: Net-30, typically $500-$750
• Minimum purchase: ~$50
• Apply: quill.com/credit

Grainger (Industrial/Facility Supplies)

• Reports to: D&B
• Initial credit: Net-30, varies
• Minimum purchase: ~$100
• Apply: grainger.com/content/credit-services

Week 4: Make First Purchases and Set Up Payments

Action items:

1. Once approved, place small orders ($50-$100 each)
2. Order things your business actually needs
3. Set calendar reminders for payment due dates
4. Plan to pay EARLY (this is critical)

Payment timing for maximum Paydex:

You want to pay as early as possible. If your invoice is due in 30 days, pay it within the first week.

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Days 31-60: Expand Your Trade References

With 2-3 accounts established, expand your vendor base and wait for reporting.

Week 5-6: Add More Tier 1 Accounts

Open 2-3 additional vendor accounts:

Crown Office Supplies

• Reports to: D&B
• Net-30 terms
• Office supply focus

Strategic Network Solutions

• Reports to: D&B, Experian, Equifax
• Tech supplies and services
• Requires 3 trade references (use your first accounts)

Summa Office Supplies

• Reports to: D&B, Experian
• Net-30 terms
• Office supplies

Week 7-8: Verify Reporting

Around day 45-50, check if your accounts are reporting.

How to check D&B:

1. Go to D&B CreditSignal (free monitoring)
2. Look for trade references appearing
3. Check for any Paydex score

What you should see:

• Business name and address
• Trade references from your vendors
• Beginning of Paydex score

If accounts aren't reporting:

• Confirm with vendor they report to D&B
• Verify D-U-N-S Number is on your account
• Make another purchase and payment to trigger reporting

Week 7-8 Actions:

• Pay all invoices early
• Apply for 1-2 additional vendor accounts
• Check D&B for reporting status
• Continue using existing accounts

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Days 61-90: Accelerate and Diversify

The final month is about acceleration. You have trade references; now you build on them.

Week 9-10: Apply for Tier 2 Accounts

With 4-6 trade lines, you qualify for more selective vendors:

The CEO Creative

• Reports to: D&B, Experian
• Marketing and business services
• Higher credit limits

Wise Business Plans

• Reports to: D&B
• Business planning services

Laughlin Associates

• Reports to: D&B
• Business formation services

You may also qualify for:

• Store credit cards: Staples Business, Office Depot
• Fleet cards: Some Shell/ExxonMobil business cards

Week 11-12: Check Your Scores

By day 75-90, you should have:

D&B Paydex: 75-80+ (if paying early)

• Requires 3+ trade experiences
• Score based on payment behavior

Experian Business:

• Intelliscore beginning to establish
• Trade references visible

Equifax Business:

• Payment Index establishing
• Credit Risk Score generating

Week 11-12 Actions:

• Pay all accounts early
• Check scores across all three bureaus
• Apply for first business credit card (if scores support it)
• Continue adding trade references

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Day 90: What You Should Have

By the end of 90 days, your business credit profile should include:

Trade References: 6-8 vendor accounts reporting D&B Paydex: 75-80+ (higher if always paying early) Experian Business: Intelliscore beginning to establish Total Credit Access: $3,000-$10,000 in vendor credit lines

This foundation qualifies you for:

• Business credit cards with higher limits
• Small business lines of credit
• Better vendor terms

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The 90-Day Calendar

Month 1 (Days 1-30)

Month 2 (Days 31-60)

Month 3 (Days 61-90)

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Common Mistakes That Derail the Timeline

Mistake 1: Waiting to pay until due date

The biggest Paydex killer. "On time" gets you 80. Early payment gets you 100. If you're not paying early, you're leaving score points behind.

Mistake 2: Opening too many accounts at once

Lenders notice when you open 8 accounts in one week. Space applications 3-5 days apart minimum.

Mistake 3: Not making purchases

Some vendors won't report unless you have actual transactions. Opening an account without using it delays your credit building.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the paperwork

D&B sends verification letters. Vendors may request additional documentation. Respond promptly to avoid delays.

Mistake 5: Inconsistent business information

If your business name is "ABC Holdings LLC" on your D-U-N-S but "ABC Holdings" on vendor applications, it may not link properly.

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What Comes After 90 Days

The 90-day foundation is just the beginning. Here's what to focus on next:

Days 91-180: Credit Cards and Lines

With established business credit, apply for:

• Chase Ink Business cards
• American Express Business cards
• Capital One Spark cards
• Small business lines of credit

Days 181-365: Scaling

Continue building with:

• Credit limit increases
• Additional credit cards
• Larger vendor accounts
• Bank relationships

Beyond Year 1: Major Funding

Strong business credit profile enables:

• SBA loan consideration
• Bank term loans
• Equipment financing
• Commercial real estate lending

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Your 90-Day Checklist

Week 1-2:

• D-U-N-S Number application submitted
• Business listings verified for consistency
• Business bank account active

Week 3-4:

• D-U-N-S Number received
• First 3 vendor accounts opened
• First purchases made

Week 5-6:

• First invoices paid early
• 2-3 additional vendor accounts opened
• Payment calendar system in place

Week 7-8:

• D&B checked for reporting
• All invoices paid early
• Continuing purchases on existing accounts

Week 9-10:

• Tier 2 vendor applications submitted
• Scores checked across bureaus
• Trade references verified

Week 11-12:

• Paydex 75+ confirmed
• 6-8 trade lines reporting
• Business credit card research started
• Phase 2 plan documented

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Next Steps

Ninety days from now, you can have established business credit. Not a vague file—an actual profile with scores, trade references, and lending potential.

The difference between business owners who build credit and those who don't isn't luck or timing. It's action.

Start with your D-U-N-S Number today.

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Want a done-with-you approach to building business credit? Freedom Consulting guides business owners through the entire credit-building process. Book a free consultation to accelerate your business credit journey.

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For the complete guide to business credit, see our Business Credit: Complete Guide.

Disclaimer: Results vary based on individual circumstances. Credit decisions are made by creditors. This guide is for informational purposes and does not guarantee specific credit outcomes.

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Continue Learning

This article is part of our Business Credit: The Complete 2025 Guide to Building Corporate Credit guide series.

Related articles in this series:

• Net-30 Vendor Accounts: The Complete List That Reports to Credit Bureaus (2025)
• D-U-N-S Number: How to Get Your Free D&B Number in 24 Hours
• Paydex Score Explained: What It Is and How to Get 80+