Why Every Business Needs a DUNS Number

A D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) number is a number issued by Dun & Bradstreet to track a business so that information about that business can be reported to other institutions.

The D-U-N-S number for your business is like the SSN for an individual. When you apply for a D-U-N-S Number the number is then used to create your business credit file, similar to how your social security number is used to identify your personal credit reports.

It is one of the most important unique identifiers for your business and it is the most widely used number for identifying companies in the United States. Suppliers and creditors alike pull a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) credit check on your business when you apply for credit.

Part of establishing a creditworthy company includes establishing positive credit ratings with major business credit reporting agencies such as D&B. If you are serious about establishing credit for your business, then the first thing to do is get listed in D&B’s database and set up your company’s credit file.

Before you can bid on Government or Corporate contracts, you need to obtain a D-U-N-S, Number. You cannot register in the Federal Award System or apply for any certifications without it!

When registering for your DUNS number, you’ll need to have the following on hand:
Legal name
Headquarters name and address for your business
Doing Business As (DBA) or other name by which your business is commonly recognized
Physical address, city, state, and ZIP Code
Mailing address (if different from headquarters and/or physical address)
Telephone number
Contact name and title
Number of employees at your physical location
Whether you’re a home-based business

If you are in need of a DUNS number and you need it quickly, ARC Business Solutions provides an expedited service for a fraction of the expedited fee traditionally charged by Dun & Bradstreet. For more information about the ARC Expedited DUNS service, click here.

By Amy Reese|2021-11-19T12:53:33-04:00September 25th, 2021|Business Credit, Business Formation, Small Business|Comments Off

About the Author: Amy Reese

Amy Reese is the Founder and Managing Partner of ARC Business Solutions, a consulting firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses gain access to Federal and Corporate contracting opportunities. After spending over 20 years as a Corporate Development Executive in which she collaborated with C-Suite and VP level leaders of Fortune 500 organizations and Government agencies, Amy now leverages her experience in relationship development, collaboration, negotiations and accountability strategies to benefit small and mid-sized businesses who are seeking opportunities to grow their bottom line. During her years in Corporate Development, Amy worked with clients to identify and implement customized solutions that supported her clients’ business needs by developing strategic plans. Amy’s unique accountability techniques have been instrumental in assessing client issues and gaps, allowing her to make recommendations of appropriate solutions. These special techniques have been instrumental in her success as demonstrated by the attainment of revenue growth for her clients in the millions.