There's no doubt that running your own successful business can reap huge rewards and change your life for the better ? and not just in financial terms.

But before you take the plunge and become a franchisee there are a number of questions you must ask yourself first ? starting with ?Which franchise??

There are hundreds of franchising opportunities out there but some more than others will be better suited to your lifestyle, skills set, work experience and long term goals.

Write a list of pros and cons ? starting with an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. We all have different positive and negative skills and personality traits and it's helpful to recognize exactly what they are.

Are you at your most motivated in the mornings or do you function more effectively later in the day?

Similarly, are you happy by yourself with little contact with others or do prefer to feel you're part of team?

Some franchises ? like ours ? provide their franchise holders with ongoing advice and support plus regular opportunities to network with other franchisees whereas other opportunities leave their franchises to fair for themselves once the franchise has been acquired.

Cost is another important consideration when deciding which business to buy. The purchase price of some franchises can be quite high and there may be a monthly management fee to pay on top of that so make sure your sums add up.

You will also need to find out what levels of revenue you can realistically expect to generate within the first year.

Research the market by visiting franchising websites and reading franchising publications. When you find an idea that appeals to you, read testimonials from other franchisees and learn all you can about the market potential for the concept, product or service you will be selling.

UK Websaver was recently awarded 9 out 10 for its product and franchise opportunity when it was assessed by an independent due diligence company with over 14 years experience. Not only were the assessment's findings great news for us but they also serve as a useful and impartial guide for any prospective franchisee considering buying a UK Websaver franchise.

It is also imperative that you consider your lifestyle before making a choice. If the opportunity you're pursuing requires you work at weekends or evenings how will that sit with other commitments?

Also, are you ready to commit to your franchise full-time from Day One or would you prefer a bedding in period which allows you to continue in employment while running your own venture alongside it?

Some franchises, including ours, allow franchisees to work part-time giving franchisees greater flexibility. Going it alone can be quite daunting so having the option of not giving up the ?day job? immediately can prove reassuring, especially if you have a family to support.

In conclusion, whatever opportunity you decide to embark upon, always do your homework first and obtain as much information as possible.