One of the most important things when starting a new business is financing, in most cases, finding investors can be a difficult task, because they may not want to risk putting their money in a business that they aren’t sure will be successful. So, if you are trying to finance your business, here are five steps that you should take.

#1. Invest Your Own Money.

One of the ways to get others to invest in your business is by putting your own money into it, because potential investors will feel more comfortable putting their money into it also. If you don’t have a financial investment in your own business, others will think you aren’t confident about it being successful so they won’t want to put their money into it also, but if you do, they will be more willing to do the same.

#2. Home Equity Loans.

If you do not have the startup cash for your business, but have equity in terms of your home, you can apply for a home equity loan. These loans are a great way to finance your business, because the interest rates are generally lower than most loans you can get, and they are also flexible. You do face a risk with these types of loans, because if your business is unsuccessful, or you don’t meet the terms and conditions of the loan, your home will be at risk of foreclosure.

#3. Guarantor Loan.

This is when you borrow money from a bank or a financial institution with a guarantor that cosigns the credit agreement with you. The guarantor agrees to repay the debt if you fail to meet the terms and conditions of the loan you receive. The guarantors on these types of loans are usually friends and family members, whom you can pay back gradually if the business doesn’t work out, without worrying about losing your home. One of the top institutions for guarantor loans is SUCO, and you can visit their website for details about the rates that they offer.

#4. Crowdfunding.

Websites like Kickstarter have made finding investors for your business a lot easier, because you can find numerous people to invest in your business. A lot of these sites allow you to raise money in exchange for products or rewards, and others do it on an equity basis, meaning that you will give up some shares of your company.

#5. Credit Cards.

Getting business credit cards can be the fastest way to get financing for your business, and it has a few advantages, such as low minimum payments. This is a great option if you don’t have that much money at the start of your business, and your expenses are very low. If your expenses are high, it is not the best option, because the interest rates and fees can build up rather quickly if you are having trouble making the payments.

If you are having trouble financing your new business, these five options can help you get the cash that you need to fund your business.