Month: September 2020

Table of Contents:

1. What is an online business loan?
2. Online business loan rates and fees
3. How to be approved for an online business loan
4. Business loans by industry
5. Frequently asked questions

What are online business loans? And how is it different from a traditional bank loan?

An online business loan is the same as any traditional business financing option, with one difference: you can apply, get approved, and be funded all online, without ever having to step into a bank or lending office. 

However, while that is the only true technical difference, the reality is that online lenders tend to provide unique offerings when compared to traditional bank loans.

For one, the application process is typically faster and more stress-free. After all your applying for business funding online from the comfort of your own home. 

With a bank loan, the application and approval process can often take a full month. With an alternative or online lender, you can often be approved and even funded in around 24-48 hours. 

At a time where banks have tightened restrictions and made it more difficult than ever to apply for a business loan from a traditional institution, many new alternative lenders are making it easier than ever. 

Excel Capital’s Business Line of Credit Program

For example, Excel Capital’s business line of credit program offers flexible financing options with monthly rates starting as low as 1.5% (up to 9.5%).

Our online business line of credit program gives you access to a recurring reserve of capital anytime you need it. Simply pay your balance down and you can continue to access more capital when you need it.  now that’s an easy online business loan. 

Plus, we offer funding even if you don’t have perfect credit. Where traditional bank financing often requires a 680-720+ credit score, our program requires just a 550 score or higher. 

Excel Capital Business Line of Credit Program:

Funding Amount

Get a credit line for your business up to $250,000

Repayment Term

6-12 Months revolving

Requirements

• Credit score of 540+
• Time in business 1+ year
• $50,000+ annual revenue
• Less than 3 negative occurrences on your bank account in the past 90 days

• No hidden fees
• Simple repayment terms
• Lightning-fast approval within 30 minutes, funds instantly

We offer a variety of business financing solutions to meet your funding needs. Click here to submit an application and learn more about what options are available to you. 

Online business loan rates and fees

One of the primary differences between traditional business bank loans and alternative or private business loans are the rates and fees.

While alternative business loans offer many advantages over traditional bank loans, because bank loans are offered by huge financial institutions, they can typically offer lower and more competitive rates. 

In addition, online business loans from alternative lenders often have additional fees to cover certain costs. 

However, keep in mind that both rates and fees will depend primarily on the lending product more than the lender you obtain it from.

So, make sure to inspect your loan agreement before signing on the dotted line to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. 

How to be approved for an online business loan

Getting approved for an online business loan from an alternative lender is much easier than with a traditional bank.

However, there are still certain requirements you’ll need to fulfill to be approved. 

Each business financing product is different, but there are a few common qualifications that most require.

Excel Capital’s business financing solutions are designed to be accessible to young businesses just getting off the ground as well as seasoned operations.

Some basic requirements for many of our financing options include:

• In business for 6+ months
• Annual revenue of $10,000+
• Business is in good standing (no bankruptcies, judgments, or liens)

Each of our lending solutions is different. So, to find out more, submit an application here or click below to discover what you can be approved for:

Complete our online application and see how much you can be approved for: Apply Now

Business loans by industry

Excel Capital provides small business financing options specifically suited to a variety of industries, including:

• Restaurants
• Car Dealerships
• Trucking Companies
• Accounting Firms
• Liquor Stores
• Florists
• Manufacturers
• Funeral Homes
• Food Trucks
• Insurance Agencies
• Construction businesses

If your industry isn’t listed here, don’t worry!

We offer business loan options to business owners in every industry.

To find out how much you can be approved for and speak to one of our customer service representatives, submit an application here or click the button below:

Complete our online application and see how much you can be approved for: Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve spent time coming up with your next big (or first) business idea…

… and now you’re ready to pull the trigger.

The only problem?

You have no idea what ecommerce platform to pick. 

It’s true that there are a ton of great options out there for anyone interested in starting an ecommerce platform in 2021. 

However, once you’ve found those options, it can be hard narrowing it down to find the one that’s a perfect fit for your needs and goals. 

That’s where this guide comes in.

Below, we’ll not only show you what the best ecommerce platforms are for 2021, we’ll breakdown the highlights of each so you can make an informed decision on which is right for you.

So, let’s get to it. 

The Top 8 Best Ecommerce Platforms for 2021

The best ecommerce platforms for 2021 are (in no particular order)…

1. Squarespace
2. Wix
3. Shopify
4. Magento
5. WooCommerce
6. Salesforce Commerce Cloud
7. Square Online Store

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each of the best ecommerce platforms:

1. Squarespace

While not a dedicated ecommerce platform, Squarespace has risen as a major player in the space.

Not to be confused with Square, the payment processor and checkout solution, Squarespace is known for its beautiful site designs and ease of use. 

Similar to Wix, what many consider to be one of the top 3 ecommerce platforms, Squarespace offers a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it simple and easy to build your ecommerce site from scratch. 

It also offers:

• 14-day free trial
• Unlimited products
• Physical and digital product compatibility
• Mobile-optimized checkout
• Multiple payment methods
• Ecommerce analytics
• Subscriptions
• Cart recovery
• And more features

Squarespace is particularly well-suited for artists and any creative type selling a custom product or artwork as many of their themes are designed to help you show off your creative work. 

It also has nice blogging features and podcast integration to take care of the content marketing side of things. 

Pricing

Square space offers several tiered plans at:

• Personal: $12 / month
• Business: $18 / month
• Basic Commerce: $26 / month
• Advanced Commerce: $40 / month

However, keep in mind that Squarespace is not a dedicated ecommerce platform.

Their personal plan doesn’t offer ecommerce functionality and their business plan has 3% transaction fees while also not having access to 100% of Squarespace’s ecommerce features.

To take advantage of the abovementioned ecommerce features, you’ll need to go with their Basic Commerce plan for $26 a month.

Try Squarespace

2. Wix

Wix is well-known for its online influencer and celebrity commercials that show just how easy it is to create your website. 

It’s not all show, either. 

Wix is probably the easiest of the drag-and-drop platforms, and that’s saying something since they already make creating a website from scratch far easier than it’s ever been before. 

However, Wix has more going for it than just its ease of use. It’s also a fantastic ecommerce platform. 

You can set up your entire ecommerce website– adding products, details, images, you name it– using that same drag-and-drop functionality. 

Plus, Wix has literally hundreds of ecommerce templates to choose from, so you can easily find one that fits your style. 

Wix also offers:

• A 14-day free trial
• Unlimited products
• Multiple carrier functionality
• Cart recovery
• Dropshipping (new)
• Zero transaction fees (only payment processor fees from your processor)
• And more

Pricing

Wix offers 4 ecommerce plans:

• Business Basic: $23 / month
• Business Unlimited: $27 / month
• Business VIP: $49 / month
• Enterprise: $500 / month

Each of Wix’s payment plans offers unlimited bandwidth, with only a small difference in terms of features, the main difference being in available storage space. 

Try Wix

3. Shopify

Shopify is one of the most well-known ecommerce platforms there is.

The unique part about Shopify, and its strong point, is that it can accommodate the new solopreneur as well as the large-scale startup.

The platform is super easy to use right out of the box with its drag-and-drop functionality, but it also has powerful features that large-scale ecommerce operations need to make the most of things. 

Features such as:

• 14-day free trial
• Built-in payment processor
• Mobile-optimized themes
• Point-of-sale systems available
• Gift cards
• And more

Where Shopify also stands out is in its award-winning, 24/7 support, which is a rarity in an industry that has notoriously bad (or, at best, shoddy) customer service. 

Pricing

Shopify has three different basic plans:

• Basic Shopify: $29 / month
• Shopify: $79 / month
• Advanced Shopify: $299 / month

You’ll notice right away that Shopify is much more expensive compared to some of the simpler drag-and-drop platforms such as Squarespace and Wix. 

While they’re not quite as simple or inexpensive, Shopify contrasts that by offering room to grow with your business, where something like a Wix or Squarespace can feel limiting if your business starts to take off. 

However, like the first two platforms we mentioned, Shopify also has a 14-day free trial you can use to check it out first to see how you like it. 

Try Shopify

4. Magento

Another long-time major player, Magento stands apart as an enterprise-level ecommerce solution compared to the other platforms on this list.

In other words, it’s really powerful, but also really expensive. 

For example, it’s used by companies like:

• Nike
• Hewlett-Packard (HP)
• And Canon

It requires a huge upfront investment but offers features and bandwidth unmatched by most other competitors. 

If you’re in need of something much more robust, this might be the right choice for you. Features include:

• 1000+ themes
• Customer segmentation
• Industry-leading mobile optimization and features
• Instant purchases
• Content staging
• And more

Pricing

Being an enterprise-level solution, Magento is designed for large businesses. 

Its main pricing plan starts at $20,000. 

It does have other small business plans, but you don’t get the majority of the features that make Magento a stand-out option, so they’re not really worth considering. 

Try Magento

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is one of the longest-standing ecommerce solutions for businesses online, having been around since 2008. 

What sets WooCommerce apart is that it’s a plugin designed specifically for the WordPress platform.

So, the main reason you’ll likely decide to use WooCommerce is if you decide WordPress is your website platform of choice.

However, that’s not the only pro of WooCommerce.

WooCommerce places the majority of its special features in hundreds of free extensions, including subscriptions and additional payment options such as Google Wallet. 

Not all of these are free, though. Some of the more premium extensions can cost upwards of $300. 

Pricing

WooCommerce itself is a free plugin, so it’s the only truly free option on this list and a worthy mention for that reason alone.

Starting a website on WordPress is also free. 

However, to make the most of your site you might find yourself wanting to pay for one or more plugins to get features you might otherwise get included in a platform like Wix or Squarespace (though there are typically free alternatives, some of these plugins are less than optimal). 

Also, while the price might be attractive it is worth mentioning that it will likely take you a good bit longer to get your website up and running.

It’s easy to get your website up with WordPress, at least compared to starting a site a few years back.

However, it still can’t be compared to the Wixs and Squarespaces of the world, which make the process quick and virtually painless.

Try WooCommerce

6. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Salesforce is considered by many to be one of the best and most powerful CRMs on the market.

Now, it’s expanded into the ecommerce arena with its own offering.

Similar to the WooCommerce + WordPress combo, going with Salesforce Commerce Cloud means you get the power of the Salesforce CRM and their ecommerce platform in one, which can be an attractive offer when you see everything Salesforce can do. 

It’s not particularly well-suited for new businesses and even less suited for solopreneurs without employees.

However, if you have a team, it could be the right fit. 

It’s an especially good fit for B2B businesses as well as Salesforce CC has many B2B specific features. 

One of those unique features is Salesforce’s powerful AI tools, which allow for certain automation and data extraction capabilities from things like purchase history and visitor behavior that other platforms just can’t do. 

Pricing

Being a higher-end (typically enterprise-level) company, Salesforce Commerce Cloud doesn’t list their pricing on the website.

In other words, that means it isn’t cheap.

Having said that, they do offer a free trial to get a feel for the platform and see if it might offer what you’re looking for before jumping in. 

Try Salesforce

7. Square Online Store

Our final option on the list, Square Online Store is a unique one.

Chances are, you’ve seen one of Square’s physical POS terminals in a business you’ve bought something from without even knowing it. 

That’s because, well… they’re everywhere. 

What isn’t as widespread is the knowledge that they also offer an ecommerce platform to go along with those POS terminals. 

Square’s ecommerce platform offers a few unique features, such as scheduling pickups and Instagram selling.

However, where it really shines is in the integration of its POS terminals with its ecommerce platform, which opens up a collection of features that are hard to get otherwise.

Pricing

Square is 100% free to get started with.

However, they do have processing fees which are fair and typical at 2.9% + .30 cents per transaction. 

Monetarily, where Square really shines is if you decide to integrate Square’s POS systems with their ecommerce platform, where you can maximize their combined power for unique features if you have a physical location that requires POST terminals. 

Otherwise, Square has a hard time performing on the same level as other ecommerce platforms. 

Try Square

Which of the best ecommerce platforms should you choose?

There really is no one “best” ecommerce solution online.

Which you should choose comes down to a few basic questions:

• Do you need POS terminals (i.e. do you sell something in a brick-and-mortar store)? Square is likely best.
• Are you a solopreneur or do you have a large team? Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, or WooCommerce is generally best for solopreneurs while Magento or Salesforce CC for enterprises. 
• Would you prefer a little more customizability (WordPress) or ease-of-use (Squarespace, Wix)?
• Is visual style more important (Squarespace) or functionality (Shopify)?
• Do you prefer to have more features (Shopify, WooCommerce) or want a simple out-of-the-box solution (Wix, Squarespace)?

Whichever you choose, most platforms offer a free trial period. So, jump in and try a few out to get a feel for which ecommerce platform feels right for you. 

LegalShield is a prepaid legal-services membership that connects individuals, families and small businesses with a provider law firm for covered legal matters. Instead of paying only by the hour, members pay a recurring fee for specified consultations and services. But is LegalShield worth it? The answer depends less on the headline price than on whether the membership terms and state-specific plan contract cover the work you are likely to need.

Bottom line: LegalShield may be worthwhile for people who expect to use routine legal advice, document review or other included services. It is less compelling if you need a particular lawyer, extensive litigation, specialized work or services excluded from your state-specific contract. This independent review explains how the membership works, what current public review platforms show and what to check before enrolling. For additional context, see the American Bar Association’s guidance on prepaid legal plans and finding a lawyer.

Editorial disclosure: Excel Capital Management is not a law firm, and this article is general information—not legal advice. Prices, features and reviews can change. Confirm current terms directly with LegalShield and consult a licensed attorney about your situation.

What is LegalShield?

LegalShield, operated by Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., sells subscription legal plans. Members contact LegalShield through its app, website or phone system and are connected with a provider law firm. According to LegalShield’s small-business contract-service overview, covered services can include consultations, document checks and certain lawyer letters; work beyond the plan may be available at a discounted rate. Coverage still varies by plan and state.

The American Bar Association describes prepaid legal plans as arrangements that can reduce the cost of routine help, while warning consumers to understand the coverage and any out-of-pocket contribution before joining. In other words, a legal plan is not the same as unlimited representation for every dispute. Businesses evaluating recurring legal costs may also find Excel Capital’s business education resources useful when planning professional-services expenses.

How does LegalShield work?

1. Choose a plan. Use the official LegalShield plan comparison to check included services, page or matter limits, waiting periods, exclusions and discounts for work outside the plan.
2. Submit a legal matter. Members generally start through the LegalShield app, website or phone support.
3. Connect with a provider lawyer. A participating law firm evaluates the matter and explains what the plan covers.
4. Approve any additional cost. If the work is not fully covered, ask for the scope, discount and fee arrangement in writing before proceeding.

LegalShield plans and pricing in 2026

On August 17, 2026, LegalShield’s public pricing page listed three monthly personal plans: Basic at $39.95, Advanced at $49.95 and Premium at $59.95. Its small-business plans ranged from $59.95 to $169.95 per month, with different allowances for document review, lawyer letters or calls, collection letters and other services. Annual billing options may differ.

These are snapshots, not guaranteed quotes. LegalShield states that availability and benefits vary and directs buyers to the contract for their state for complete coverage, limitations and conditions. Verify the current price and contract before purchasing.

Common personal-plan services

• Consultations about personal legal issues
• Review of eligible documents, subject to plan page limits
• Will and power-of-attorney preparation on qualifying plans
• Traffic-ticket or civil-trial assistance where covered
• Discounts on additional services that fall outside full coverage

Common small-business services

• Consultations and legal research
• Review of qualifying business documents
• A limited number of lawyer letters or calls, depending on plan
• Debt-collection letters and specified IRS-audit help on eligible plans
• Discounted or flat-fee work for certain non-covered services

Important: “Unlimited consultations” does not mean unlimited drafting, negotiation or courtroom representation. Read the service definitions and state contract for waiting periods, pre-existing matters, page limits, hourly limits, exclusions and fees.

What do public LegalShield reviews show?

There is no single scientific poll proving whether LegalShield is worth it. Public review platforms are self-selected samples and can measure different things: some reviewers rate the company, while app-store reviewers may be rating the software experience. Still, current figures provide a verifiable snapshot.

Review snapshot checked August 17, 2026. Counts and scores change over time. These are platform results, not an Excel Capital Management poll, and they should not be combined into one average because each platform uses a different audience and methodology.

LegalShield pros and cons

Potential advantages

• Predictable recurring cost: A membership can make routine legal questions easier to budget for.
• Convenient access: The app and phone channel can reduce the friction of finding help for a new matter.
• Useful routine services: Document review, consultations, wills and lawyer letters can provide value when they are included and actually used.
• Reduced fees outside coverage: Plans advertise discounts for certain additional services, although the member still pays the remaining fee.

Potential drawbacks

• Coverage is conditional: Limits, exclusions, waiting periods and state variations can materially change the value.
• Provider experience can vary: Members may work with the designated provider network rather than choosing any lawyer they want.
• Complex matters can cost more: Litigation, specialized advice or substantial drafting may fall outside full plan coverage.
• Public feedback is mixed: Ratings differ substantially across Trustpilot, BBB and the two major app stores.
• Unused membership has low value: A low monthly fee still adds up if you rarely use covered services.

Is LegalShield worth it?

LegalShield may be worth it if you expect recurring, routine legal needs and the contract clearly covers them. Examples can include reviewing ordinary agreements, asking questions about a consumer dispute, preparing basic estate documents or obtaining a covered lawyer letter.

LegalShield may not be worth it if you already know you need extensive litigation, highly specialized counsel, guaranteed representation by a specific attorney or substantial work excluded from the plan. In those cases, compare a written fee quote from a suitable attorney, a certified lawyer-referral service, limited-scope representation or local legal-aid resources.

A simple break-even test

Multiply the monthly price by 12, then compare that annual cost with the covered services you realistically expect to use. Do not count a service at full retail value unless your plan contract actually includes it. Add any waiting-period risk, non-covered fees and the value you place on quick access to a provider lawyer.

Questions to ask before you enroll

• Which services are fully covered in my state?
• Are there page, hour, matter or annual limits?
• Are existing disputes or pre-existing events excluded?
• How soon should the provider law firm respond?
• Who chooses the lawyer, and can I request another provider?
• What will I pay for work beyond the plan?
• How do cancellation and renewal work for monthly or annual billing?

LegalShield alternatives

LegalZoom

LegalZoom may suit people who want self-service business formation, registered-agent or document products in addition to attorney-plan options. Read our LegalZoom review for a closer comparison.

A local attorney or lawyer-referral service

Directly hiring a lawyer may be a better fit for a complex, urgent or high-stakes matter. The American Bar Association recommends understanding fees in writing and provides information about approved lawyer-referral programs.

Legal aid or limited-scope representation

People who meet income or matter requirements may qualify for free or low-cost legal aid. Limited-scope representation—paying a lawyer for only part of a matter—can also be an alternative when full representation is unaffordable.

Frequently asked questions

Is LegalShield legitimate?

LegalShield is an established prepaid legal-services company, not a law firm. A membership connects users with provider law firms for services defined by the applicable plan. Legitimacy does not mean every matter is covered or every customer experience will be the same.

Does LegalShield cover court representation?

Some plans include specified trial-defense or court-related benefits, but eligibility, waiting periods, exclusions and hour limits apply. Check the plan contract for your state and obtain written confirmation for your matter.

Can I choose my own lawyer?

LegalShield generally connects members with a provider law firm. If choosing a particular lawyer is important, confirm the network and reassignment rules before purchasing.

Can I cancel LegalShield at any time?

Cancellation rules can depend on the membership and billing term. Review the current cancellation instructions and renewal terms before enrolling, and keep written proof of any cancellation request.

Is LegalShield worth it for a small business?

It can be worthwhile for a business that repeatedly uses covered consultations, document reviews, letters or collection services. Compare the annual membership cost with realistic usage and the contract limits; complex transactions and litigation may still require additional fees.

Final verdict

LegalShield can provide practical value when its covered services match predictable legal needs. It should be evaluated as a defined subscription contract—not as unlimited legal representation. Read the state-specific terms, compare the annual cost with likely use, and get pricing for non-covered work before deciding.

Legal planning is one part of running a resilient company. Business owners can also explore our business education resources, compare small-business loan options, learn how a business line of credit works or review business loan calculators.

Sources and further reading

• LegalShield plan pricing and comparison
• LegalShield terms of service
• American Bar Association: finding a lawyer and prepaid plans
• American Bar Association legal-help FAQ
• Trustpilot LegalShield reviews
• BBB LegalShield customer reviews
• LegalShield on the Apple App Store
• LegalShield on Google Play