Primer on Using Credit Cards for Funding Your New Business

Yes, you can use your personal credit cards to get money for your new business idea. Before you do beware of the pitfalls and hazards of this type of startup funding.

Types of Credit Cards to Use Business Needs:

Different types of cards, personal and business, have very different federal protections for fraud and credit limits.  Business cards often have the highest limits and best rewards such as special on office supply stores since they are explicitly created for small company usage.   While you can use either type for your firm’s purchases, both need to be paid on time or otherwise you will seriously damage your personal credit, which will negatively affect your ability to get business loans in the future.

• Compare Interest Rates on Business Credit Cards –  Visit websites like CreditCards.com,CardRatings.com and Bankrate.com to study interest rates, rewards programs, and the annual fees charged.
• Rewards and Perks from Credit Cards – Remember that most credit cards for business are  not protected by our government’s acts including the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act which was enacted in 2009 to protect consumers from unreasonable fee hikes.

Small Business Blog by Marsha Kelly, Entrepreneur & Small Business Reporter

Hi - I am a serial entrepreneur, after doing "time" in corporate America, who has learned about what products and services work well for entrepreneurs who want to start a business. You can learn from my experience and my associates as we shop from the internet for tools, supplies and information to build our businesses and improve the lives of our family and ourselves. Read more ...