When it comes to expanding your business, there’s a misconception that it simply means opening up a new location. Although this certainly qualifies, there are many ways a small business can expand with the help of an expansion loan. If your business is established and you need an extra bit of capital to take your company to the next level, look into this type of financing and start your expansion in one of several ways.

Add New Products or Services

To best serve your customers, first, ask what they’d like to see from your business and then develop a strategy to add something new to your inventory or repertoire. Depending on the product, money will have to be invested in research and development, manufacturing, shipping, and production. If it’s a new service, the right marketing will be essential. An expansion loan can cover many of the associated expenses in creating something new for your customers.

Branch Out Into New Markets

Maybe your business isn’t just adding something new to the menu; maybe you want to branch out into an entirely new market. For example, a business that primarily sells organic whole foods might expand into branded accessories such as locally-sourced and environmentally-friendly shirts, bags, and other materials. You’ll want to develop a specific plan that includes a market analysis and an analysis of your target audience, taking into consideration any varied demographics.

Improve Your Operations

There are endless ways a business could improve its efficiency. Commonly, it starts with upgrading or purchasing new equipment. This could range from bringing in brand new computers to buying heavy, automated machinery that could cut costs in the long run. Investing in equipment is all about improving cash flow down the line. However, the equipment could be expensive upfront. If you don’t have the capital to purchase new equipment outright, an expansion loan could be the answer.

Hire More Staff

Expanding your business could mean creating new roles and then subsequently filling them. Maybe you need a designated marketing person or someone who’s solely focused on customer service, or maybe you simply have to hire more staff because of a sudden surge in demand that’s forcing you to expand. Regardless of the reason, adding new staff can end up being quite expensive. Financing can help make it easier to cover the costs of onboarding so that you can diversify your team and still run things smoothly.