It's not easy to evaluate an online business opportunity objectively. I looked at over 100, and developed a checklist of "Things To Know." Since everyone's website is going to show the good and hide the bad, it's a good idea to have a plan for evaluating the opportunity. There are things you need to find out about the company, the products, the pay plan, and the training. This article will cover what you need to find out about the company.

Find these things out about the company

1. Before you do anything else, find out about the company itself. I have found that one of the fastest ways to do this is to Google "xyz company," or "xyz scam." With any company, there will be people who paid their money and did no actual work, and then who will write that they were ripped off, so take criticism with a grain of salt. However, if the same things come up repeatedly from different people, take that as a sign that all is not well.

2. Go straight to the company website, if you can, to find out about the big dogs -- the owners, principals, and CEO. The time a company has around is a consideration, but every big company was once a little one, and the people who started when it was new generally are hauling in the biggest bucks. The crucial things here are that the website tell you who theprincipals are, and that you can find information about them on the web. If there is any suspicion that they are not of great character, stay away. Also, be shy of any business that will not offer this information where you can fiind it easily on their website.

3. If you can't tell the name of the company and their basic business on the first page of their marketing page, go to the next business. There has to be a reason that they don't put that information where you can find it. It reminds me too much of the old Amway (whom I love) days when you could tell your friend anything except that it was Amway. I have been to as many as seven pages before any information about the real business came up.

4. If your telephone number is required in order to get further information, beware. I'm not saying eliminate them from consideration, but do beware. The decision to talk on the phone should be yours to make. If the website can't give you the information you want, you run the risk of getting caught up in the flashy, scripted sales talk, and could make a decision without all the information. Run away from any business that wants you to pay for information. I have been asked for as much as $49 just to find out what the product was.

If you are satisfied with the company, find out what you need to know about the products, the pay plan, and the training