You don't have to go through the Small Business Administration to get a business loan, though it's preferred by many lenders, since SBA loans are guaranteed. You can also work toward getting a loan on your own recognizance, especially if you have property available to secure it.

When considering a business loan, peruse the paperwork carefully to be sure you don’t have a balloon payment coming along toward the end of the loan cycle. Balloon payments tend to be much higher than the normal payment, and can wreck you financially if you don't plan ahead.

If you get an offer for an online business loan -- especially if it's unsolicited -- look it over very carefully before you start to sign up. While not everything online is a scam, it's too easy to get taken in by someone you don't meet face-to-face.