Whether you need a home purchase loan, an auto or car loan, or a personal loan, looking for a lender online is always a smart move. The Internet allows you to compare various loan terms quickly and conveniently from the comfort of your home, and you have access to many more lenders than you would if you relied solely on your local yellow pages. And if you have bad credit, online lenders tend to offer more flexibility and more lenient approval criteria, which means you're more likely to get your loan approved. So what's involved in the process of getting approved for a loan online?

Apply

First, you'll need to fill out an application. Most online loan lenders have their application available on their website. You may have to create an account on the site with a user ID and password. Once you have a user ID, you simply fill out the application--with information like your name, employment history, etc.--and submit it with a click of your mouse. Nothing could be easier!

Sit back and wait

After you submit the application, the online loan company will have a loan officer review your case. It's possible you'll receive a phone call or email asking for more information, and in some cases you may need to provide documentation, such as faxing the company one of your recent pay stubs. Since online loan companies know they have to work hard to get your business, chances are you'll hear back from them within a day or two.

Get ready to sign

With most types of loans, you'll need to physically sign the paperwork, and the loan company will want the original copies. Some companies hire a processor to meet with you and handle the signature aspect. Others will send or overnight the papers to you so you can sign them, and then you'll have to mail them back to the company.

Whenever you want to get approved for a loan, you'll have to go through these steps. If you choose a bad credit lender because of your credit history, you may have to provide some extra documentation or paperwork, but the basic steps will be the same.