If you've watched the news at all in 2009 you've probably heard that the economy has taken a turn for the worse.
A lot of people believe that internet and online business is the thing that is going to turn the economy around.
For a lot of people that has already proved to be true.
People everywhere have turned to the internet looking for solutions to their income problems, and they've found them.
Of course, there is no magic answer to everything and you can't wave your hands and instantly make 10,000 dollars a month, no matter what that ad on television told you.
While there are hundreds of ways to make a living online, there are also hundreds of ways to lose your money online.
It is of crucial importance that you take the time to research before you make any big decisions online.
Think of it as if you were buying a new car.
You don't just go to the car dealership and buy the first car you see when you walk into the showroom, do you? Of course not.
You shop around, compare features, consider pricing, ask about finance options, you even carefully consider what color you want your new car to be.
Choosing an online opportunity should be treated with the same care and consideration.
There are a number of things you want to avoid when you're looking at jobs and opportunities online.
First of all, look for the big red flags.
If something asks for a large sum of money up front it should be approached with caution.
That's not to say that you won't need to ever make an investment, because plenty of legitimate opportunities require investment.
However, you do need to be careful when offering your financial information and any kind of large sum of money in exchange for an opportunity or to learn about a job.
Another red flag is when the job description or sales page doesn't really say a lot about the company or what you'll be doing.
If they can't tell you how you're going to make money, then chances are you might not want to know.
Look at the offer details carefully before deciding if you want to click the big orange button to find out more.
Look for contact information on the website or in the advertisement you're interested in.
Do they tell you who they are or who they represent? Lack of contact information can be a fast giveaway that someone doesn't want you to reach them when you have questions.
Who will you call if there's a problem or you need help with the venture? Is that really the company you want to do business with?