How to Find Your Shopify Working Capital Balance

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is Shopify Capital?
  3. Finding Your Shopify Capital Balance
  4. Keeping Track Over Time
  5. Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
  6. Real-Life Example
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine you're running a bustling online store, and suddenly, you need a quick influx of money to stock up on inventory or launch a new marketing campaign. Shopify Capital can be a lifeline, offering merchant cash advances to help you grow. However, repaying this advance involves a percentage of your daily sales, making it crucial to keep track of your balance. If you're wondering how to find your Shopify working capital balance, this guide will walk you through the process, provide useful tips, and highlight what makes this a critical component of managing your Shopify store.

What is Shopify Capital?

Shopify Capital provides financing options like merchant cash advances and loans to eligible Shopify store owners. This service aims to streamline access to funds, enabling merchants to scale their businesses without the hassle of traditional loan applications. However, a merchant cash advance isn't a loan; it's a purchase of your future sales.

Merchant Cash Advance Explained

When you receive a merchant cash advance from Shopify, you're essentially receiving a lump sum of money in exchange for a specified percentage of your future sales. This lump sum, known as the ‘amount advanced,’ and the total repayable amount (including fixed fees) should be meticulously tracked to avoid financial confusion.

Key Terms

  • Amount Advanced: The lump sum received from Shopify Capital.
  • Total to Remit: The amount advanced plus a fixed fee.
  • Remittance Rate: The percentage of daily sales remitted to Shopify until the total to remit is fulfilled.

In simpler terms, if you receive $5,000 as a merchant cash advance and the total amount to be repaid is $5,650 with a 10% remittance rate, Shopify will automatically debit 10% of your daily sales until the $5,650 is fully paid off.

Finding Your Shopify Capital Balance

Knowing how much you owe can help you manage your finances better. Shopify makes it easy to track your balance through your Shopify admin panel. Here's how to do it.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Log in to Your Shopify Admin: Access your store's dashboard using your credentials.
  2. Navigate to the Capital Section: Go to ‘Settings’ and then click on ‘Capital’. This page will show an overview of your funding options, including any active merchant cash advances or loans.
  3. View Remittance Information: The Capital page will display several columns. Look for the ‘Total sales’ and ‘Amount’ columns within the transfer history section to see your daily remittances.
  4. Download Your Balance Letter: For a more detailed overview, you can download a balance letter from the Capital page. This letter can be especially useful for financial record-keeping or when interacting with banks.

Manually Remitting the Balance

At any point, you can choose to remit the remaining balance in one lump sum. This action will stop your daily sales percentage from being debited, allowing you to manage your funds more freely.

Steps

  1. Select Remit Option: In the Capital section, you will have an option to remit the remaining balance.
  2. Choose Lump Sum: You can remit any amount over $1 or the full balance.
  3. Confirm Payment: The payment will be debited from your linked business bank account. You will receive a confirmation email once the transaction is processed.

Keeping Track Over Time

Monitoring your capital balance on a regular basis helps you avoid any unintended financial pitfalls. Automated remittances can be double-checked through the Shopify Capital dashboard, ensuring that your records match Shopify's debits.

Benefits of Regular Tracking

  • Financial Control: Understand and control your cash flow better.
  • Avoid Surprises: Stay informed about how much is being debited each day, so you're not hit with unexpected financial deductions.
  • Improved Planning: Plan future expenses and investments more accurately.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

While Shopify Capital is designed to be straightforward, issues can arise. Here are some commonly faced problems and tips on how to avoid or resolve them.

Frequent Problems

  1. Store Lockouts: Sometimes merchants find their stores locked due to slow sales or missed remittances.
  2. Settlement Offers: Discrepancies in settlement offers received via email and those displayed in the admin panel.
  3. UCC Liens: Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings which can affect your credit score.

Proactive Steps

  1. Maintain Active Communication: Always respond promptly to any communications from Shopify Capital. If you receive an email, check it thoroughly and contact support if you have questions.
  2. Monitor Sales Performance: Regularly check your sales performance to ensure you meet any remittance milestones.
  3. Consult Legal Advice: If you receive any notices regarding UCC liens or other legal issues, consult a lawyer immediately.

Real-Life Example

Let’s consider an example: John runs an online store selling artisanal coffee. He took a $10,000 merchant cash advance from Shopify to expand his inventory for the holiday season. With a remittance rate of 12% applied to his daily sales, he diligently tracked his repayments through the Shopify admin panel. By monitoring his sales and adjusting his spending, John managed to pay off his advance smoothly while continuing to grow his business.

Conclusion

Whether you're a new merchant or a seasoned store owner, understanding how to find and manage your Shopify working capital balance is essential. It ensures you maintain control over your finances and helps avoid issues that could disrupt your business. Utilize your Shopify admin panel effectively, keep communication lines open with Shopify Capital support, and you'll have the financial peace of mind to focus on what you do best—growing your business.

FAQ

How do I apply for Shopify Capital?

You can apply directly from the Capital page in your Shopify admin if you're eligible. Offers to apply for funding are displayed based on your store's history and performance.

How is the remittance rate determined?

The remittance rate depends on various factors, including your risk profile and daily sales performance. This rate is determined at the time of the merchant cash advance agreement.

Can I pay off my balance early?

Yes, you can choose to remit any remaining balance in a single lump sum at any time. This action will stop the automatic daily debits from your sales.

What happens if my sales are low on a particular day?

If your sales are low, the remittance amount will also be lower, as it is a fixed percentage of your daily sales. If there are no sales on a specific day, there will be no remittance for that day.

Are there any penalties for late remittance?

Since the remittance is directly tied to your daily sales, there is usually no concept of late remittance under the merchant cash advance model. However, it's always best to read the specific terms of your agreement.


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