Act as a financial advisor with 10+ years of experience in small business finance. Provide a detailed guide on how business owners can avoid costly merchant cash advance (MCA) fees. Include [THREE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING OPTIONS], [STEP-BY-STEP STRATEGIES TO NEGOTIATE BETTER TERMS], and [RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR IN MCA CONTRACTS]. Explain how improving [CREDIT SCORE], exploring [TRADITIONAL BANK LOANS], or using [BUSINESS REVENUE OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES] can help avoid reliance on MCAs. Be specific about interest rates, repayment terms, and long-term financial health.