How to Find a Legitimate Home Business

There are a number of options when it comes to working at home from your computer. It can be confusing to sort through all the options (especially when trying to figure out what is legitimate and what is not). While there are many options, I will discuss four in this article that I have experience with so that you can come to an intelligent decision.

When looking for a home business, keep in mind that some options are better for some people than others. Whether you are interested in a few extra dollars now and then, or you are serious about making lots of money and willing to do whatever it takes to get it, there are legitimate options that you can explore. Different programs require different levels of commitment, so be sure you research carefully, especially if it requires investing money. Too many people invest money before they know what they are getting into, and then they lose it.

Paid to Read Emails

These programs will earn you pennies a day, but if you sign up for several programs, you might be able to earn an extra $20 now and then. It takes only a few minutes each day to open the emails you get and view the ads. Sometimes you may see something that actually interests you. Many of them have referral programs that earn you money when people you referred view ads as well. Make sure you read carefully what kind of benefits you will get, though. Some pay points that are redeemable for coupons or other offers--so you must decide if this is something you are interested in before you sign up.

Paid Surveys

Paid surveys are a notch or two above paid-to-read emails. In general, most of the paid survey companies out there will give you a survey to complete, and often you have to sign up for some offer to be able to get the money. For example, they might pay you $20 to get a sample of ABC Skin Lotion. In order to get the bonus, you have to request the sample--and pay for shipping. However, shipping might be only $5, so you earn a net of $15. It should never cost you more in shipping than you are earning, so you will always make a profit. Some have very low payout and don't require you to pay for any shipping or anything like that. If you are doubtful of the company, try one or two of these first and then if you get credited, it is probably safe to invest in shipping to get the higher earnings. Keep in mind that you must reach a limit before you can cash out your earnings. The limit varies from company to company.

It is even more crucial that you read carefully before signing up for a paid survey company. Many of them will enter you in sweepstakes as a thank you, or give you coupons or points instead of cash. If you want to make money, you will need to manage things carefully. But it can be done.

In general, if you are interested in making money online with surveys, I would recommend starting with one company at a time, and give it 2-3 days to see if you like it before you add another. Otherwise you will get overwhelmed with emails. Also, you should consider opening another email account to deal with this--otherwise it could overrun your current email and make messages from family and friends hard to find.

Google Cash Programs

The basic idea behind Google cash programs is that you find a product or service you want to promote that pays you when you refer a buyer. To make this productive, you will need to find a number of them. Then you open a Google Adwords account and write ads for the products. This can be a very lucrative business, with very little time invested, once you learn how Google Adwords works and are good at writing ads. If you are interested in this, I would recommend that you look into Perry Marshall's Guide to Google Adwords (http://perrymarshall.com). It is one of the best ever written, and will help make your work successful.

Keep in mind that you will have to pay Google for the ads, but you only pay when people click on them, and if you have good ads, you are almost guaranteed that some of the people that click on the ads will sign up. Once you have an ad that earns money, you will be able to earn money on that ad for a long time without ever doing anything else.

It is possible to do this by advertising for free, but it is much harder and slower than Google Adwords. Free ads are less likely to be seen.

Network and Marketing Programs

Network and marketing programs are some of the most lucrative options out there--but you have to be careful. You should only get involved in them if you are serious, because they require that you invest money, much more than any Google cash program, and your results will vary depending on a variety of factors, such as your persistence, time and money invested, where it is invested, etc.

If you decide that this option is something you want to explore, you should find a company that lets you join for free. Of course, you won't earn any money if you never invest, but if you have to pay money before you understand the program, it probably is a scam. So do your homework. In general, if you are just starting, you should start with one or two companies that have an affiliate program which requires a low investment (say, $10 a month), and then promote them to get members signed up under you. When you start making on those companies, then instead of taking that money as profit, you should invest it into promoting another company--such as an MLM company that you always liked (Amway, Melaluca, and Mannatech, for example) or some other program that you enjoy. This is called Funded Sponsoring. You fund your own proposals.

There are different ways to advertise; some are free and some you pay for. Of course, the paid ones are more likely to get results, so weigh your options. Don't spend money you don't have, but then again, don't be too stingy or you'll never get anywhere.

Whatever system you choose, you will need to grow a list. Every good marketer will tell you that the money is in the list. Your name will be on your upline's list, and you can see how he/she works it. As your list grows, you will be able to tell your downlines about special offers you have.

In summary, there are a lot of options out there. I have only scratched the surface in this article. In general, be very careful of "buying" information until you have verified that it is legitimate. You can probably get the same information for free if you keep looking.