Look Before You Leap

There are several legitimate home based business opportunities with good income producing potential.  The internet is a great equalizer.  No matter your age, race, color or educational level, every person is presented with the same opportunities online. It’s a powerful tool that anyone can learn to wield.

When considering joining a business opportunity a little research goes a long way towards feeling a little more comfortable and confident when considering signing up with an MLM marketing or small business opportunity.

Company Identity – Look at the business’ main website, can you easily find their contact information such as name, address, phone, and email? A big plus are photos of company leaders and any information about them.

Front Loaders – Watch out! You’ll often find this system in place with businesses that sell product like nutrition, health and weight loss or cosmetics. A front loading marketing plan requires you to purchase your way into a certain commissionable level. These are often referred to as “product packs” or “business builder level”. If you have to purchase $500 of product to buy into a higher profit margin, how duplicatable is that? You’ll find that most people will not spend that kind of money. What you should also consider carefully is that these businesses will also give only a short time limit for product returns and impute restocking fees. Tread carefully.

Payment Information – Always use a credit card for your protection. If a business will not accept your credit card then that should send off all kinds of alarm bells in your head.  Many scammers will only accept bank wires, money orders or checks.  What about returns?  Reputable businesses permit a money back guarantee in writing with refunds within 30 to 90 days.  If a business insists on you send money via Fedex or UPS to a P.O. Box  then WATCH OUT.    I’m not claiming that all P.O. Box addresses are scams, however, you should be aware that sending money via Fedex or UPS how scammers get past Postal Fraud Investigators.

Look It Up - Start with www.whois.net they will let you look up any domain name and registration information.  Many legitimate businesses will register their name and address. 

Just the facts please! – Unfortunately, there are a number of MLM network marketing hate sites that unfairly characterize legitimate MLM opportunities placing them all into one large umbrella.  This is unfortunate when you consider that there are many legitimate MLM network marketing businesses and many more successful MLM business plans out there. 

Check the Records – The Better Business Bureau website can help you in your investigation. Go to the National BBB website and look up the business address. Then and see if they have two or more outstanding complaints against them as this indicate problems. Keep in mind that BBB reports can provide some insight but there may be more to it. The BBB report will also confirm the address listing and phone number. “No Report” generally means that there have not been any complaints filed against the company to date. Here is the link for the National BBB Advanced Search.  Also try the MLM Companies Direct Marketing Sales Directory.

Research & Compare: An online directory of popular home business opportunities will help you compare popular home based business opportunities in the MLM industry. The directory gives you a brief description of any enrollment fees, purchase requirements and a brief description of each network marketing business’ compensation plan. This directory will help you objectively compare each MLM business opportunity easily. To view the MLM Plan Directory follow the link in the resource box.