You want capital. You want it fast. You want it flexible. You want it cheap.
After taking many loans myself for my Amazon business, some loans over seven figures. The landscape has changed, and there is a multitude of options.
Here’s the cheat sheet of the best loan options:
Viably
Viably is the ultimate financial ally for Amazon sellers aiming to boost their cash flow through smart financing. Unlike other ecommerce funding options, Viably doesn't just stop at financing – it offers a complete toolbox of financial tools tailored to fuel your business growth. Their all-in-one platform seamlessly blends funding, forecasting, and, yes even, business banking. This level of financial visibility through a single platform gives your Amazon business a clear and comprehensive view of your cash flow.
What sets Viably apart? They understand the needs of Amazon sellers like you. With personalized funding based on real-time sales data, they craft offers to best match where your business is today and where you want to see it grow to. No surprises here – Viably uses a simple one-time flat fee, ensuring you know exactly what your capital will cost.
On top of that, Viably uses three customizable funding models, each aligned with a different selling strategy (including something special for wholesalers), to ensure that you’re getting financing that fits your business needs. Their customer-facing teams work closely with Amazon sellers to understand your business and its challenges, providing a human-first approach and exceptional experience.
Amazon Lending
Amazon Lending is a term loan program offered by Amazon to its sellers. These loans are designed to help sellers finance the growth of their businesses and can be paid back over a period of 6-12 months. One of the key benefits of Amazon Lending is that there are no fees associated with the loans – you'll only be responsible for paying back the principal and interest.
However, it's worth noting that Amazon Lending can be somewhat of a "black box," as the terms and conditions of the loans are not publicly disclosed. This can make it difficult for sellers to fully understand the terms of their loans and compare them to other financing options. Recently, Amazon has partnered with Goldman Sachs to expand its lending program, which could potentially result in new loan offers and terms being made available to sellers. Interest rates on Amazon Lending loans have been reported to be around 12 percent APR.
8Fig
8Fig is a financial technology company that offers financing solutions for e-commerce businesses, including Amazon sellers. One of the unique features of 8Fig's financing is that it allows sellers to finance their inventory, even if it is located overseas. This can be a particularly useful feature for sellers who are looking to expand their business and bring in a larger volume of inventory from international suppliers.
In addition to financing overseas inventory, 8Fig also offers flexible financing options that are tailored to the needs of growing businesses. It works with sellers to forecast their future needs and build a financing plan that works for them. This can be especially useful for sellers who are planning on a larger-than-usual fourth quarter, as they can secure the financing they need in advance to support their growth. Overall, 8Fig's financing may be a good choice for Amazon sellers who are looking to expand their business and bring in inventory from overseas.
8Fig truly is a very flexible option for manufacturing inventory. You can stop payments if inventory hasn't arrived yet. More cash can become available if you submit more "lines" which is great for quickly growing businesses.
SellersFunding
SellersFunding is a financial technology company that offers financing solutions for e-commerce businesses, including Amazon sellers. As a pure Fintech company, SellersFunding has been able to leverage technology to offer loans to a wide range of sellers, even when traditional banks may not be able to provide financing.
One of the key features of SellersFunding is its ability to integrate with the seller's Amazon account, which allows the company to get a better understanding of the business and find the best financing offer. SellersFunding offers loans to sellers starting at 18 percent APR, which is higher than some other financing options on the market. However, the company's focus on serving a wide range of sellers and its ability to offer loans when others may not make it a good choice for certain businesses. Overall, SellersFunding may be a good choice for Amazon sellers who are in need of financing and are unable to secure it through traditional means.
Best Credit Cards for Amazon Sellers
Capital One Spark Cash Credit Card
The Capital One Spark Cash Credit Card is the best credit card for one reason and one reason alone: its 2 percent cash back on all purchases. This high rate of cash back means that you'll be getting a great return on your spending, no matter what you're buying. Whether it's inventory for your business or advertising costs, the 2 percent cash back will help you stretch your budget further.
This credit card is a no-brainer for anyone who wants to maximize their rewards on everyday spending. With the Capital One Spark Cash Credit Card, you'll be getting a 2 percent better return on everything you buy, which adds up quickly over time. There's no need to worry about rotating categories or keeping track of bonus offers. Just use your card and watch the cash back roll in. If you're looking for a credit card that rewards you for your spending, the Capital One Spark Cash Credit Card is a clear choice.
American Express Plum Credit Card
The American Express Plum Card is a great choice for Amazon sellers looking to manage their cash flow and maximize their rewards. One of the standout features of this card is the extended payment terms, which allow you to pay for purchases made on the card within 60 days, interest-free. This can be a huge benefit for sellers who need to quickly turn over their inventory and get a return on their investment.
In addition to the extended payment terms, the American Express Plum Card also offers a cash back reward of 1.5 percent if you pay your balance within 10 days of the statement closing date. This can help you save even more money on your purchases and boost your bottom line. Overall, the American Express Plum Card is an excellent choice for Amazon sellers looking to take control of their cash flow and get rewarded for their spending.