Merchant cash advances: Fast, flexible funding to grow your business

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When your business is ready to grow, access to fast, flexible capital can make all the difference. But for many small businesses, getting that capital isn’t easy. In fact, 70% of small business owners who applied for a new business loan in the past year reported difficulty accessing funding, according to a 2023 survey by Goldman Sachs. 

With a financing option that strengthens your cashflow and delivers funding quickly, you can respond decisively to new growth opportunities without delay. 

At the same time, 77% of small firms say rising costs of goods, services, and wages are putting pressure on their finances, and nearly 70% of banks have reported a drop in loan demand. This reflects both high borrowing costs and tighter approval standards. For merchants who rely on imported inventory or components, general economic uncertainty adds yet another layer of cost and unpredictability to managing cash flow. 

Whether you're preparing for a seasonal rush, launching a new product, or ramping up marketing, waiting weeks for a traditional loan approval isn't always an option—especially when approval isn’t guaranteed, making the wait even more stressful. 

That’s where a merchant cash advance comes in—and now it’s built directly into your GoDaddy Commerce experience. 

With GoDaddy Capital*, you get seamless access to merchant cash advances with no paperwork, fast approvals, and payments that flex with your sales, making it easier to move forward without slowing down. 

What is a merchant cash advance?  

A merchant cash advance is a form of business financing through which you receive a lump sum of cash upfront in exchange for a fixed percentage of your future sales. It’s not the same as a loan. There’s no interest rate, no fixed monthly payments, and no collateral required. 

Instead, payment happens automatically as a percentage of your daily or weekly sales, so it flexes with your business. Payments adjust to your personalized revenue cycle, meaning you pay more on strong selling days and less when sales are slow. 

Merchant cash advances are designed for businesses based on factors like sales performance, transaction history, and bank statements. You don’t need a perfect credit score or extensive documentation. There’s no impact on your credit and no personal guarantee required, making it a low-risk way to get funding fast. 

It’s worth clarifying some common misconceptions. A “merchant loan advance” or “MCA loan” suggests a traditional lending product, but a merchant cash advance works differently. It’s not structured around interest or fixed terms. And unlike a business cash advance, which typically comes with set payment amounts, merchant cash advances are tied directly to your sales volume. This structure is personalized to your specific sales cycle, so payment is tailored to the unique rhythm of your business. 

With GoDaddy Capital,  this flexible funding option is now a core part of your commerce platform, giving you faster access to the capital you need when you need it and for whatever purpose. 

The need for merchant cash advances 

When a small business is ready to grow but lacks access to funding, momentum can stall quickly. Opportunities to acquire new customers, expand product lines, or enter new markets often require the kind of upfront investment that’s hard to make without fast, reliable funding. Traditional financing options can be slow, paperwork-heavy, and out of reach for businesses that don’t fit the mold. 

Without access to capital, merchants may be forced to delay expansion plans or scale back operations. That might mean passing on a bulk inventory deal, postponing the launch of a marketing campaign, or putting off much-needed tech upgrades. 

Over time, these delays can add up, limiting your ability to stay competitive in your market. 

Businesses without flexible funding options also risk falling behind peers who are better resourced. Hesitation costs market share. Larger competitors can outspend you on ads, beat you to new platforms, and win over customers with faster fulfillment. 

A merchant cash advance helps close this funding gap. It gives you fast access to working capital without sacrificing time or flexibility. For many merchants, that can mean the difference between maintaining the status quo and accelerating growth. 

Benefits of merchant cash advances 

A merchant cash advance offers a flexible, fast path to funding that fits the way your business actually operates. Whether you’re restocking before a busy season, ramping up your advertising, or hiring more staff, this type of financing helps you move quickly without the friction of a traditional loan process. 

Speed is one of the biggest advantages. With GoDaddy Capital, you can get approved in hours** and receive funds in as little as 24 hours ***. Since your eligibility is based on revenue and cash-flow indicators, not your credit score or collateral,  you avoid long applications, credit checks that hurt your score, or the need to submit paperwork. 

Payments are just as flexible because they’re automatically deducted from your daily or weekly sales. During peak seasons, you pay more. During slower times, your payments decrease. There are no interest rates or monthly minimums to manage. 

Merchant cash advances also provide a quick way to increase cash flow so you can take action when you see an opportunity. You can restock shelves, expand your team, or launch a new product with funding that adapts to your pace. Same-day payouts, which you can choose for a low fee of 1.5% per payout, are another way to speed up access to your cash, helping you keep momentum when timing matters most.

Because it’s integrated directly into your GoDaddy Commerce experience, GoDaddy Capital becomes more than just financing. It’s a practical, connected tool for growth.

How does a merchant cash advance work? 

A merchant cash advance works by giving you a lump sum of capital upfront in exchange for a fixed percentage of your future credit and debit card sales. It's not a loan, so there are no interest charges or fixed payment dates. Instead, payment happens automatically as a portion of your sales—flexing with your sales cycle. 

Once you accept an offer, payment begins right away. A fixed percentage of your sales is deducted daily or weekly. When sales are high, you pay more. When business slows down, you pay less. This flexibility helps you maintain consistent cash flow and avoid the pressure of fixed monthly payments. 

The process is fully automated. You don’t have to track due dates or write checks—payments align and adjust with your revenue. That’s what makes a merchant cash advance ideal for businesses with seasonal sales or variable income. 

With GoDaddy, this experience is built right into your Commerce dashboard. With our streamlined and digital application process, merchants can get approved for a cash advance  in as soon as a few hours and funds can be deposited in your account in as little as 24 hours. No outside apps, no paperwork, and no delays. Plus, you don’t have to worry about making payments manually—they’re automatically deducted from your daily sales and easy to track in your dashboard reports. 

Eligibility criteria and typical advance amounts 

Merchant cash advances are designed to be easier to qualify for than traditional loans. Approval is based on your business’s actual revenue and cash-flow patterns instead of your credit score, assets, or lengthy paperwork. Unlike loans that require tax returns, financial statements, and time-consuming reviews, a merchant cash advance is based on actual performance.

GoDaddy makes the process even simpler. Because we use your revenue and cash-flow history to generate personalized offers, we require no extra documents, no impact to your credit, and no disruption to your workflow.

Typical advance amounts range from one to two months’ worth of your business’s average revenue. So, if you bring in $30,000 a month, you might receive an advance of $30,000 to $60,000. The exact amount depends on your specific revenue and cash-flow history.

You’ll also get clear, transparent terms up front, so you always know how payment works. And since payments scale with your sales, you’re never locked into rigid monthly obligations that strain your budget. 

Alternatives to merchant cash advances 

While a merchant cash advance offers speed and flexibility, it’s not the only funding option available. Depending on your business model and financing needs, other approaches may make sense.**** 

Traditional bank loans typically have lower interest rates and longer payment terms. They’re a good fit for well-established businesses with strong credit and solid financial history. However, the application process is slow and complex, often taking weeks to complete, and approval isn’t guaranteed.

Invoice factoring works for businesses with outstanding invoices waiting to be paid. You sell those invoices to a third party at a discount in exchange for immediate cash. It’s useful if your cash flow is tied up in accounts receivable, but it’s most effective for B2B businesses with large invoice volumes.

Each option has its place, but a merchant cash advance remains one of the fastest and most flexible ways to access capital—especially when it’s already integrated with your GoDaddy tools. 

Why GoDaddy Capital? 

GoDaddy Capital doesn’t just offer merchant cash advances—it makes them part of your everyday workflow. Unlike other financing tools, our program is built directly into your GoDaddy Commerce experience. That means you can apply, review, and manage your funding from the same dashboard where you run your business. 

Because our partners can generate cash advance offers based on your real revenue and cash-flow data, there’s no need for paperwork or manual input. You’ll receive a decision without impacting your credit and get funded in as little as 24 hours**

If you need more capital later, you may be eligible to apply for a new cash advance directly within your dashboard. And if questions come up, our support team is here 24/7 to help.

The result is a financing experience that’s fast, simple, and deeply connected to the rest of your business. GoDaddy Capital gives you the funding you need when and where you need it. 

How to apply for GoDaddy Capital 

Visit the GoDaddy Capital page and click Apply. Add your bank account to confirm your offers. Then select the offer that best suits your business needs. Simple. 

Bottom line: Why GoDaddy Capital? 

Before accepting any funding offer, take a moment to review your goals, upcoming expenses, and current cash flow. A merchant cash advance can be a smart choice if your business has steady sales and needs a quick cash injection to support growth. But it’s important to understand how payments will align with your revenue. 

GoDaddy Capital is built to remove the usual barriers that make financing difficult for small businesses. You’ll get a fast decision, clear terms, and payments that flex with your sales.

More than that, GoDaddy Capital is part of your broader GoDaddy Commerce toolkit. That means your funding isn’t just fast—it’s connected to the same platform where you manage your sales, inventory, and marketing. Everything works together to help you move quickly and make smart decisions.

A merchant cash advance gives your cash flow an immediate lift, allowing you to meet growth opportunities head-on without slowing down to apply for a traditional loan. If you’re ready to take your next step, GoDaddy Capital is here to help you fund it, simply and seamlessly.