Hi. Lighthouse brought up some very good points and I just wanted to expand on it. I've been in 15 different home based businesses, one of them a "start up" which failed after two years. With the experience I had gained, I applied it to searching for the best business and finally found my home with a business that has true long term residual income and I'll share some of the things I looked for that helped me.
Look into businesses that have a proven track record. You can devote your time and energy into a business and then it's all gone because the business was not able to overcome unanticipated obstacles.
Also, as Lighthouse said, make sure the success is based on selling products. That's a customer based model as opposed to a distributor based model. Many people will tell you how much money you can make just by referring people but when someone leaves, your income drops. You want a stable business based on customers. Also make sure you try the products and believe in the products. It's difficult to be in a business where you don't believe in the products.
On checking the company, go to the Better Business Bureau. That will give you a clear idea right there. If they are just listed with them, you can see if there are any complaints. If they are accredited with them, that makes it more credible but don't discount them if they're not accredited with them because it costs money and some businesses don't want to pay the money. As long as they don't have many complaints.
Also, search the internet with the name of the business and "scam" after it or "complaints" or "review". Be careful - there are network marketers who will say a business is a scam just to promote their own opportunity. Check scam.com and ripoffreport.com. Do the same type of search for the owner and see if the person is credible. If the owner has been in prior companies that were closed down because of problems, it should make you think twice about joining a new business with that owner.
Also, what type of marketing is in place. What do you need to do to be successful. Are there sales tools in place and a system in place to help you to be successful. You can have the best product but if there isn't a way for you to promote it, it will be more difficult for you to be successful.
The most important consideration in choosing a business is that you are passionate about what you do and that you fully understand what you are joining before you join. If the person you speak with is unsure or not willing to provide you with information, don't join or seek someone else.
Make 2009 a great year!
Kathy
Katherine Smith
www.besthomebasedbusinessforyou.com
