Want to boost your business credit scores without paying for expensive “credit builder” programs? You can—and it starts with a few simple, legitimate steps that help Dun & Bradstreet (and other business credit bureaus) see your company as credible, consistent, and low-risk. In this post, you’ll learn 5 free things you can do today to strengthen your corporate credit profile, improve your PAYDEX score over time, and make your business more fundable—by updating your DUNS file, tightening up your business information across the web, and building the kind of verified data lenders and vendors look for before they approve you.

Check out these 5 free things you can do today to boost your corporate credit scores and ratings. Most of them are simple enough that you can do them on your own right now! (Note: I use many of these when I'm working with my paying clients, so I know they'll work for you!)

Make sure your business credit profile is up-to-date. • If you don’t have a DUNS number, request a free one. • You can order a free DUNS number on D&B's website • Review the file in full and save a copy for your records. • Fill in all blanks to insure the most accurate report. • Dispute derogatory info to see if it can be removed. • Only submit data you can readily verify if asked to do so. • Be available in case D&B calls to verify your changes.

READ MORE: THE TWO-MINUTE MIRACLE

Check that your business information is consistent. • Business name, address & phone should be consistent. • Be sure your Secretary of State filing is up-to-date. • Review your website & social media for consistency. • Search your business on the web to check for old data. • Check business listing sites such as Bizapedia and Yelp. • Check phone sites such as Yellow Pages and 411.com. • Make sure your business is listed at ListYourself.com.

READ MORE: Easy Ways to Validate Your Business

Verify billing, banking & credit card info matches • Check that bills have the company name exactly right. • Check that mailing address on bills match credit profile. • Check that your bank account is the business address. • Schedule to pay business expenses a week earlier. • Pay business expenses with business checks/cards. • Make sure your business checks have correct info. • Most data can be updated via your online accounts.

READ MORE: Banking on Your Business

Set up a free Credit Insights monitoring service. • Register for the free DUNS Profile Manager on D&B's website

• Then set up a free Credit Insights from D&B's website • Review your credit file at least once per quarter. • Print your credit profile every time you see a change. • Track the changes that occur to your report over time. • If you don't understand a change, call in and ask about it. • Remember, you don't have to pay to make updates.

READ MORE: The Invisible Score: A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Monitoring and Maintaining Business Credit

Be proactive instead of reactive. • Change bill-paying practices to insure prompt payments. • Ask creditors and suppliers to report to your credit file. • Challenge inaccurate or derogatory information. • Check for duplicate credit files at previous addresses. • Use physical address on applications & new accounts. • Open accounts with companies who report to D&B. • Call me for free one-on-one business credit analysis.

ONE LAST TIP: CLICK HERE to request a free consultation and business credit assessment to see more things you can do to move your company forward.