Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.
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Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.
Lending Club Personal Loans can be used for entrepreneurial and business startup purposes. The application process is easy and its rates and terms are highly competitive. Lending Club Personal Loans are ideal for startups.
Lighter Capital is a business funder that offers revenue-based financing to eligible businesses. Lighter Capital is a viable alternative to VC funding or bank loans, especially if you are not interested in giving up equity or don’t have any collateral.
Breakout Capital offers short-term business financing solutions to small businesses. It has low borrower qualifications, prepayment discounts and easy renewal process.
Lendio is a business financing platform that matches customers to funders, including SBA/PPP lenders. It has a relaxed credit score requirement, and there’s no fee for using the service.
Fundera is a business funding matchmaker who will match you up with other business funders you may be qualified for. Fundera is a good place to start your search for business funding, including SBA loans. Not only is Fundera convenient and helpful, but it also has transparent terms and fees.
SmartBiz provides SBA 7(a) and PPP loans to small and large businesses. SmartBiz is a fantastic resource for any eligible merchant that needs a low-cost, long-term loan and wants to leverage a marketplace solution.
Square Capital is a convenient and relatively inexpensive source of financing. This company has streamlined the lending process, so it’s almost completely hands-off.
LendingClub is an honest loan provider with competitive terms and fees, good advertising transparency, and quality customer service. If you need a quick business loan, or you aren’t large enough to qualify for a loan from a bank, LendingClub might be the lender for your business.
Zoho Projects has numerous integrations and a robust system of features that make it a competitive option. The price point is great and they offer a free plan. Keep on reading to see if the program is a good fit for your small business.
FreshBooks is ideal for small businesses that want a basic, easy-to-use accounting solution and don’t need complex accounting features or multiple users. FreshBooks Classic is ideal for small businesses that don’t need accounting software and simply want an easy invoicing and expense tracking tool for their businesses.
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Our team of experts spends hours on every review so that we can find the best companies to recommend to our readers. LendingClub Personal Loans made the cut.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
Our team of experts spends hours on every review so that we can find the best companies to recommend to our readers. LendingClub Personal Loans made the cut.
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