One of the major stumbling blocks us online business owners face is getting the funding needed to set up shop. The good news is that starting an online business doesn’t have to be expensive, and getting the funding you desire needn’t be difficult. Check out these ideas…

Are Loans Right for You?

There are multiple ways you can secure a loan, including:

• Asking family and friends for loans.
• Going to your local bank or credit union.
• Using credit cards. (Not recommended due to high-interest rates.)
• Using lines of credit.
• Using crowdlending programs like Prosper.com.

Consider Crowdfunding

If you have a really exciting business idea and “rewards” to offer investors, then you might post your idea on a crowdfunding site such as Kickstarter.com, Godundme.com, or Indiegogo.com. Keep these tips in mind:

• Invest in your own business first. You need to show potential investors that you have a lot on the line and that you believe in your own idea.
• Offer enticing rewards. Give people access to your product or even special editions of your product, along with rewards that will appeal to their ego or sense of wanting to do good.
• Create a good description. Share your enthusiasm and really persuade people to invest. A good video will help people get excited about your idea.

Moonlight to Raise Money

Do you have a service you can quickly and easily provide to others? Then you may want to work after-hours to offer this service as a way to raise money. For example, you can go to a site such as UpWork.com to offer writing, design or even consulting. Or you might consider working offline doing manual labor on weekends to raise cash. It may not be your idea of a fun time, but it’s only temporary to help you get the cash you need.

Profit off of Unwanted Items

This may include everything from big items like a motorcycle or RV, to antiques and collections. You can sell them locally using Facebook local swap and shop groups, using CraigsList.org, or even using eBay.com.

Start on a Shoestring Budget

There are plenty of ways to save money as you go. This includes:

• Using free trials or even freemium version of the tools and resources you need.
• Bartering for goods and services with other professionals.
• Reinvesting profits directly right back into your business.
• Sticking with your day job so that you have extra cash to invest in your business.
• Investing in advertising and outsourcing to grow your business more quickly.
• Shopping for specials when you’re purchasing software, tools, or even office furniture. In other words, don’t pay full price when you don’t need to.

One of the benefits of starting an online business is that it tends to be much less expensive than starting a traditional brick and mortar business. And when you use the tips and ideas above, then starting an online business is accessible to just about anyone!