How to Start a Credit Card Home Business

Learn how to start a credit card business from your home.

If you are dreaming of working from home and have a background in the credit business, starting a credit card business from home may be right up your alley. With very little if any start-up costs, you can have a credit card business up and running in no time.

Instructions

1. Pick a business name. Make a list of one to three business names for your credit card business. Make the list in order such that your first choice is listed first. The other two names are backup names in case your first choice is already taken.

2. Pick a business structure. Decide if you want to operate your credit card business as a sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company (LLC) or a partnership.

3. Contact the Secretary of the State of your state. Call or visit the office of the Secretary of State for the state where your home office is. Depending on the business structure you choose to register, the Secretary of the State provides you with the application and list of documentation you need to submit. This can also be accomplished online in most states.

4. Contact the county clerk's office. Contact the county clerk's office where your home office is located and find out what kind of registration you need to operate a home business in the city and state where your office is. Some states require you to obtain an occupational license, while the county may require a home-based office business permit.

5. Register as a credit card affiliate. You can contact credit card companies directly or use affiliate programs such as Linkshare or Commission Junction to register to promote and earn commissions on credit cards.

6. Obtain a tax identification number. Contact the IRS to obtain a tax identification number for the business. You can use this number to file taxes, open and maintain a business bank account and register as an affiliate with the credit card companies.

7. Build a credit card website. In order to promote your credit card business online, build a credit card website that shares information about the different credit card programs you offer. Include an online application or a way for visitors to request an application to apply for the credit card they are interested in obtaining.

8. Promote the website. In order to drive traffic to your website, write articles about credit, debt and credit cards. Post the articles to your website or blog and make sure there is a link where visitors can click from the article to your website for more information. You can also contact website and blog owners with sites related to the credit card industry and ask if they will post your articles as a guest author.

Tips & Warnings

• As a credit card affiliate, the credit card companies you are representing provide you with special links that contain a code. When a visitor to your website clicks on the link and applies for a credit card, the credit card company pays you a commission.

References

• Sun Spot: Credit Card Affiliate Program
• Associate Programs: Credit Card Affiliate Programs

Resources

• Commission Junction: Affiliate Network
• Linkshare: Affiliate Network