No, every business doesn't need a DUNS number. That said, it can help you build good business credit and is necessary if you want to apply for certain types of funding. It's also required for a credit report from Dun & Bradstreet.

It is a nine-digit identification system assigned to businesses. DUNS numbers are used by lenders and potential business partners to help determine the reliability and financial stability of the company in question. It is similar to a social security number but must be requested directly from Dun & Bradstreet.

What Is Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)? Dun & Bradstreet is a global company that provides business intelligence products to clients through its database and analytics software. The products are used in improving business profits, marketing, and risk management.

The DUNS Company Lookup method searches the Dun and Bradstreet database for a company match. The search can be made essentially by the company's DUNS number but other parameters can be used as well. For example: company name, email address, postal code, and so on.