5 Questions to Ask When Looking at Work from Home Businesses

You've seen the ads. They pop up unexpectedly. Maybe you enter a search phrase on Google. Perhaps a friend tells you they saw a website online. Other times, you will find that interesting little something in your email and decide its "okay to check it out." 

Some of the biggest questions on our minds when we see those ads are:

• Can I REALLY make money with this?
• What if it's a scam?
• How can I tell if it's the real thing?
• Why do they want money to get started?

There are 5 DIFFERENT questions that can help you.

The correct answer to these questions doesn't mean overnight success. However, getting the right answers means you are less likely to get burned, lose money, and waste your time. The right answers also give you better odds at success.

1. What credentials does your company have and how long have they been in business?

Look for companies with 10 or more years under their belt. Ask if they will give you credentials. Do they supply a copy of a recent growth chart? A business presentation should include factual information easily verified. Look for credentials (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, awards, news articles, scientific journal data, etc.)

2. Is this a "job" or a "business" opportunity?

You should ask this question because it's important to know the difference. Are YOU looking for a job or a business of your own? If a company is offering you a job, you should have no start up cost involved. A work at home job is simply a paycheck to paycheck type of income that allows you to stay home. Typically, there are few legitimate ways to get a "real" job on the internet. Some companies allow already employed persons to telecommute.

Be careful of companies who "appear" to be a job. You may discover it is actually an offer to show you a list of companies who might have work from home jobs. Sadly, these types of schemes charge you a fee for the list. Other types of ads or websites charge you to show you HOW to work from home. Don't be fooled. These are not job offers.

If you are looking at a legitimate business opportunity, you will find there is usually an investment. Sometimes the investment will cover a product kit or maybe it covers training materials. Franchising can have larger investments. Occasionally, you find opportunities that charge a licensing fee. This fee allows you to represent the company. Many times it can be hundreds or thousands of dollars to get started. The investment will depend on the type of business. In this author's experience, you CAN have a legitimate home business with unlimited income potential without the huge investment.

3. Can I Really Make Money?

This question is also stated another way: Do I have what it takes? Basically the answer to the question depends on two things. The first is the company's compensation plan. Is it set up so that you can move step by step to your income goals? Does the company share annual income statistics so you can see what the highest, lowest, and average amount of income is companywide? Many companies don't want you to see what other people are making and won't show you. Look for a company that shows you that information. It's important for you to know what is possible from Day 1.

Secondly, depend on yourself and what you know about YOU. If the person who shows you a business presentation isn't making the kind of money YOU want to earn, don't take that as a sign of what the company, the franchise or the opportunity can offer overall. Remember each person is different and your business success ratios will be different from another owner’s. Everyone has different “drive” and moves accordingly.

4. What type of support and training do you offer and is there a charge?

Many home businesses have a really great product and business model. Yet, many people fail when they try their hand at it. What is missing? Why do so many fail? It's the level of coaching, support and resources that make all the difference. Check to see if the business you are looking at offers free or inexpensive ways to get your business up and running. Is the training free? Do you get a business coach? If working online, will you have to pay for a website? What about tech support? Is tech support and website maintenance included at no extra charge?

5. Will I have to Sell Products, Keep Inventory? How Much is this Going to Cost?

A business that is legitimate is going to be selling products or services. If there is not a product or service involved, it is likely a scam. So, if you do not want to physically exchange goods for money, take orders, deliver products or provide customer service for a company, you may NOT be looking for a business. If you want to be in business FOR yourself, you will need to be involved with products or provide services in some manner.

Some businesses don't require selling, stocking or delivering. You can endorse their product, their company and open accounts or memberships for them. You are in an agreement with them as an independent contractor. Ideally, if you could combine this method with working on the internet, you would be in a 100% home based atmosphere and you would have a very low start up cost because there is NO product or inventory to sell. You'd want to use the company's merchandise yourself so you'd be credible when you setup accounts for them. In that case, a low requirement to use their products for yourself and your family would not be unreasonable. It makes sense. There's little to no new money coming out of your budget when you do that. If you combined this type of an opportunity with all of the 4 points above, you would have a very good starting point and foundation for being your own boss without a large investment.

I have been with my company for 7 years. I know it is possible to find all of these things and to generate reliable income with an integrity based company.  Feel free to request complimentary information. 
I hope these 5 Questions to Ask When Looking at Work from Home Businesses has been helpful! 

This article was written by EveVenture's in-house Social Media Marketing Expert Krissy G. Mayse. Copyright 2011.