You will likely know the signs when your business is not doing well.

From a drop in sales to less people talking about you, things are not going in the direction you want or need them to be. As a result, your business is seemingly treading water.

For you to get out of this predicament, you need to figure out why it is happening in the first place.

So, are you up to the challenge?

Is Money the Big Issue?

More times than not, the reason businesses get into trouble is that their finances take a hit. A prolonged hit can even lead to being out of business.

With this in the back of your mind, what are three reasons your business is treading water and how best to fix them?

1. Not handling money well – Bad money management can be the prime reason your business is in trouble. This can be everything from not enough sales to spending too much on supplies, office rent and more. When this all comes together, it can be downright frightening. So, how best to get out of this mess? One option is to get some financial capital in your back pocket. One way to go about this is when you seek the best line of credit. Getting a line of credit can give you the shot in the arm you need to stabilize things. For example, if waiting for money to come in from clients, you still have bills to pay in the meantime. That line of credit can hold you over until the funds come you’ve been waiting on. Speaking of money, are you mismanaging it too? This can be letting your business credit card balloon over time and more. Always keep an eye on your spending so that it does not get out of control.

2. You fail to get a message out – Another gaffe to leave you treading water is when not enough consumers know you. Chances are you have competition in your industry. As a result, are you letting them beat you to the punch when it comes to message? If you are failing to market your brand, it can leave you without enough sales and revenue to push on. Market your brand at every opportunity you get. Doing so keeps your brand in the public eye. It also allows you to be talked about. Even if some consumers go with competitor brands, at least you hope to be in the discussion.

3. Are you looking down the road? – Finally, although you have a lot to focus on now in running your business, don’t forget about the future. From whether you expect to grow your business or not to technology and more, you need an eye on the future. Not doing so can leave you stranded when the time comes to make one or more important moves. As competitors pass you by because they were prepared for the future, you are stuck in the past. If this happens, you may never be able to surface again as a true player in your industry.

By doing all you can to stay adrift and climb higher, you and your business could well be on the way to brighter days.