So, you're a freelancer. Maybe you run an Etsy store out of your home or have a side hustle that pays the bills. You may be a candidate for a business credit card - especially if your money-making enterprise is starting to take off.

Having a dedicated card for your business helps you keep business and personal finances separate. And many business cards offer rewards and perks to rival some of the best consumer cards.

Below, we'll highlight our favorite small-business credit cards, plus information on what it takes to apply for them and how they differ from consumer cards.

Business credit cards can be a great way to build business credit for your small company or sole proprietorship. Credit card issuers typically report information about your account to at least one of the major credit bureaus, so if you pay on time every month and don't carry a balance, your history of responsible credit use can help establish - or improve - your business's creditworthiness.

You can also qualify for business cards without any kind of brick-and-mortar business, as long as you have a Social Security number and a permanent address (that's your home, not a P.O. box). Just make sure your name and the business's name are both listed on the account. If they aren't - or if the business's tax identification number isn't included - you may have to prove that your business exists.

And even if you don't have a company, you can still apply for business cards. As long as you have a permanent address, Social Security number and an understanding of how credit works - plus sufficient income to pay your monthly bills - you can apply. Just be aware that by applying for a business credit card as an individual, your chance of approval is lower than if you applied with the business name on the application (we'll get more into this below).

The main difference between consumer and small-business credit cards is how they report account activity to the bureaus. Consumer cards don't report anything about your account to the bureaus unless you have a late payment or default on your account. Small-business credit card accounts, on the other hand, are almost always reported to the major credit reporting agencies. This makes business cards an excellent tool for building business credit.

Applying for business cards is similar to applying for consumer cards, but with a few extra requirements. You'll need to submit your business's proof of identity and proof of ownership/registration, in addition to information about your personal credit history. Plus, if you're not using the business name on your application, you'll have to include an explanation of the business relationship between yourself and the company you're using on the application.

If your business doesn't have an EIN (Employer Identification Number), you should be able to apply for a card as an individual and list the business name, along with its tax ID number, on the sign-up form. You can write "N/A" or "IRS #" in the space where it asks for an EIN. This is known as "co-branding" or "piggybacking," since the business's tax ID number is used to qualify you for the card, but your name appears on the account.

There are three things you should know about applying for a business credit card:

1. Approval is easier if you have a business with revenue

Applying as an individual for a business card carries more risk than applying as the business itself, so expect to be approved at lower rates - it just depends on your industry and the issuer. If you have a limited business credit history or don't show much in the way of revenue, you might not get approved at all.

2. You can request a card for the company only - without your personal guarantee

Some cards will let you apply for a business card - and qualify - even if you don't plan to use it yourself. In this case, the issuer may require that the signer be either an owner or a full-time employee of the business.

3. You need a Social Security number to apply for a business card

Most businesses have EINs, but if yours doesn't, you'll still be able to apply as an individual - with your personal tax ID (SSN) instead. Applying as an individual does come with slightly higher approval risks, though.

Small-business cards give cardholders access to additional perks and higher credit limits than personal cards. Some issuers even offer extra benefits like car rental coverage or extended warranties on purchases. Many business cards also provide access to special financing offers.

Be aware that with some rewards cards, you have to pay for each purchase individually, so it's easy to get caught up in the moment and rack up a big bill without realizing it. Some credit card companies send out alerts before bills are due so you can set aside funds, but others - like American Express - don't. Plus, you may not always qualify for the lowest rate when using the card for business purposes.

There are three main types of small-business credit cards:

Business charge cards (with fees that vary)

Business credit cards (that carry an annual fee but no other costs)

Commercial credit cards (that don't have an annual fee but can't be used for personal expenses)

Finally, you should know that if you plan to use your business card to get financing offers, you may need to call the issuer after making a purchase to request special financing terms. Otherwise, the transaction will post under regular credit terms.

Business credit cards are a type of credit card that can be used for both personal and business expenses. Businesses with employees, revenue, and a tax identification number may be able to apply for a business credit card. When applying, businesses provide information about their tax identification number and financial history. In addition, the type of business plays a role in approval for a credit card because certain industries have less risk. Businesses also must abide by rules governing what can and cannot be purchased with a business credit card.

There are several benefits to owning a business credit card. The issuer of the card typically shares the costs of purchases, so if your business is registered as a corporation or partnership, you can take advantage of additional tax deductions for those purchases. In addition, cards provide protection from fraudulent charges and may give rewards for spending on the card. Business credit cards have higher credit limits than consumer credit cards. Furthermore, business credit cardholders typically receive better customer support and fewer fees

Businesses that are approved for a business credit card may see an increase in their business's revenue. Businesses with employees are more likely to apply for a business credit card because it can be used as an employer reimbursement card, providing employees with the means to make purchases for their business. Businesses without employees may apply for a card that can be used by an owner or any designated employee within the business. The issuer of the credit card will generally share the costs of purchases between businesses and private individuals so that tax deductions may be claimed on those purchases at tax time. Business credit cards are one of the most popular methods used by businesses to pay for goods and services.