Whether you’re looking for your first credit card or a new card to help you re-build your credit, you’re probably building your credit history from the ground up. And that means you need the right credit card for the job. How do you find one?

Here are a few tips to help you find the right credit card to help you build your credit history.

1. Decide how you’ll use your new credit card.

It’s important to know what you want out of your new credit card up front. For example, will you use it to finance a specific purchase that you’ll pay off over time? Or will you use your new credit card on a regular basis, but pay off the balance in full each month? You can’t compare credit cards if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

2. Consider a “classic” card.

These are basic credit cards (sometimes called “silver” or “classic”). In other words, they’re not gold cards or platinum cards. These simpler credit cards can be a good idea when building your credit history early on because the credit limits are generally lower. It helps you minimise your risk of getting into credit card debt and building a bad credit history when your goal is to start on the right track.

3. Look for low fees.

If you aren’t used to using credit cards, you probably aren’t used to paying fees like those they charge. For example, an annual fee can be an immediate hit to your credit limit — money you owe right away. It’s a good idea to find a card with a low annual fee. Or better yet, get a no annual fee credit card like the Bankwest Zero Gold card.

4. Avoid temptation.

While rewards credit cards might sound appealing, they can also carry the risk of too much temptation if you aren’t used to using credit cards. That’s because rewards can cause some consumers to spend more than they should. They spend more just to earn more rewards even though the value of the points doesn’t outweigh the cost. While there’s nothing wrong with rewards cards like the Bankwest More card, you probably don’t need one for your first credit card.

5. Minimise interest paid.

Even if you plan to pay off your balance in full each month (taking advantage of interest free days), still try to get a good deal on interest rates. You’ll likely have your first credit card for years and old active accounts can look good in your credit file later. Look for a low interest credit card now, and you won’t decide to close it down the road in favour of a balance transfer offer.

Ultimately you need to choose a credit card that meets your individual needs. A card that doesn’t work for you won’t help you build a good credit history. It might lead to unrealistic expectations of how the card will be used, ultimately leading to debt. Compare your credit card options carefully and choose a card you’ll be happy with for the long haul.