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Consumer credit scores can be complicated to understand, yet current or soon-to-be business owners will need to digest another layer of information. Just like you are assigned a credit score based on your individual creditworthiness, businesses also have a credit score to denote their overall credit health.

Business credit scores are used for the same purpose as credit scores for individuals. If you apply for a business credit card or a small business loan, the company you apply for credit with will use your business credit score to determine the creditworthiness of your business as well as your interest rate and loan terms.

Like personal credit scores, higher business credit scores are always better when it comes to getting the best rates and terms. However, while personal credit scores typically fall between 300 and 850, business credit scores typically range on a scale from one to 100.

How to check your business credit score

Several third-party companies make it possible for you to access a business credit report online. Each provider lets you see a version of your business credit score, and some offer multiple packages that let you gain access to more credit features and information.

If you want to build your business credit score and are wondering how to get a business credit report, you can consider the following paid options:

• Dun & Bradstreet

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• Experian

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• Equifax

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Are there any free options for checking a business credit score?

There are a few free business credit scoring services, but keep in mind that free reports tend to be lighter in terms of what they include. Still, they can provide a good place to start.

Free options to check your business credit score include:

• Dun & Bradstreet CreditSignal: As mentioned already, this free service from Dun & Bradstreet lets you gain access to your business credit score and receive notifications when your credit score changes and when to action to help improve your ratings. Note that most of the benefits of this free program only last for 14 days, at which point they suggest upgrading to one of their paid options.
• Nav: Nav also offers a free option that lets you access your Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax business credit reports and scores. This service includes a summary of your business credit reports and credit-building tools.
• Tillful: Tillful is a mobile app that lets you monitor your business credit score for free while accessing all of your business accounts in one place. The app itself is also free to utilize, and you can use it to monitor your credit, your spending and overall financial picture in one place.

What information will you need to check your score?

To access your business credit score with Nav or the D&B CreditSignal program, you’ll need to provide information such as your business name, your ZIP code and your email address. You’ll also need to verify your identity by providing your home address, your date of birth, your phone number and your Social Security number.

Further, you may also need to answer some security questions based on your loan history, your work history or previous addresses you may have had.

Which option should you choose?

If you only want a general idea of your business credit health, one of the free options should work. Also, remember that the information you get from a free business credit report will likely not be as comprehensive as you’ll find with paid business credit monitoring plans.

If you want ongoing monitoring of your business credit profile, then a paid monthly plan from a company like Experian or Dun & Bradstreet may make more sense.

Whatever you do, make sure you take steps to do something when it comes to getting a handle on your business credit. Your business credit score may seem unimportant at the moment, but you’ll need a solid business profile if you want to apply for a business credit card, take out a business loan or work with vendors who extend credit.

Your best bet is having an idea of your business credit score and taking steps to monitor it early on — before you need it.