This segment walks you through the process to set up a Duns number with Dun & Bradstreet.
There are three major business credit agencies
  • Dun & Bradstreet
  • Business Experian
  • Business Equifax
How is your business Dun & Bradstreet business credit profile created?
A D & B profile is created when the business applies for a Duns number.
What is a Duns #?
A 9 digit number that identifies your business credit profile with Dun and Bradstreet.
How do you apply for a DUNS Number?
You have two options:
  • Sign up online through the free DUNS # application
  • Purchase D & D monitoring
D & B does give you the option to expedite a free Duns # request for $49.99. Typically most business owners find they can wait the average two weeks for the free Duns #.
Here are some tips when applying for the free Duns #:
  • Use the correct business information: It is important that your business name, address, phone number and other business information is correct on your business credit report.
  • The information listed on your business credit report and all other business records should be uniform.
  • If possible, the business should have an actual physical business address. A physical business location can add business credibility.
  • Your business address should be a real address listed with the United States Postal Service. For example, if you are using a suite number that isn’t a listed suite with the United Postal Service, your address can’t be verified by lenders or the business credit agencies. Additionally, don’t share a business address with another business to avoid reporting issues.
  • Be prepared to answer verification questions. D & B’s system will ask personal background questions to verify the business owner. This assures that an actual, authorized individual sets up the business DUNs#.
  • If you find you are having issues with D & B’s website make sure you have updated your browser and java. If this still doesn’t resolve the issues, you may have to call D & B customer service to apply for your free Duns #.
  • Start on D & B’s website and click on “get a DUNS #”. Use the segment notes for the appropriate link.
  • The system will ask you if you are a US Government Contractor requesting a DUNs #. If you’re not facilitating a government contract, then select “no”.
  • Now enter the business name and address to search D & B for an existing d & b profile.
  • If the business doesn’t have an existing profile, click to set up a free Duns #.
  • Enter the Business owners name & title. Then fill out the business contact information including email and business phone number.
  • Next, the individuals’ address and mobile phone for identity verification. Lastly, include the company name, business address, and company phone number.
  • On the next page, you will be asked additional business information including your SIC Code.
  • Standard Industrial Classification is a number that is assigned to a certain industry. The D & B Duns # application form will ask for your SIC Code. If you aren’t sure what your number is, click on the SIC button and enter a keyword to search for your code. For instance, if you are a consulting company you will enter “consulting” under the keyword search. The closest match and number will be displayed so you can select the desired number.
  • Once you have applied for a DUNS #, your profile will be created. It takes D & B, on average, two weeks to email your DUNS #. D & B will contact you to sell additional products
  • The D & B sales team is fairly aggressive in their sales tactics. It’s important to understand you don’t “have” to make a purchase.
Common phrases business owners will hear from D & B sales reps:
  1. “You have inquires on your business credit you need to purchase monitoring.:
  2. “Your business profile won’t be activated unless you purchase this.
  3. “You can’t build business credit without this.”
  • Keep in mind these are sales tactics. Please review our monitoring segment that outlines the products and services D & B offers so you make the most cost-effective choice.
  • If your business already had a D & B profile but the information was incorrect, you can update your existing profile with the correct information.
To modify an existing d & b profile:
  1. Sign up for D & B business credit monitoring
  2. Submit your correct information through the monitoring sign in online.
  3. Be prepared, d & b will verify the new information before updating your d & b profile.
Note: you don’t have to submit your business’s financial information. In fact, we recommend leaving this off until you have strong financial information to submit.
When selecting D & B monitoring, you will have two options. D & B Monitor and D & B Credit Building. We will review these options in more detail within the D & B monitoring segment.
That’s a wrap, now your d & b profile is established.