Prior to the current economic collapse, people worldwide were already searching for the best possible businesses that were home based.

Since the turn of the century, the worldwide workforce has experienced some notable changes. An understanding has developed that the best way to create security is to own your own business and remove yourself form the corporate hamster wheel.

As a result in this increased awareness, a lot of people have started assessing the best home based businesses in a quest to find something inline with their passions and the money they have available.

An important question to ask is “Do I REALLY want my own business?” if YES, what is the reason?

Is there a big enough “Why” to drive your success?

Often, people are enamored with the “idea” of a business and make the deadly mistake of not getting themselves to answer these questions!

In a lot of cases, it is just lack of forethought. To embark on any business venture today you will be required to have some level of start up capital.

Fact is, if you are struggling to pay bills at the moment, if you are running out of money long before the next pay check arrives, you have to seriously question if this is the right moment for you to be considering becoming a business owner! Right now it would make more sense for you to find some kind of paid employment. However, if you DO have access to capital either through credit, savings, or generous friends, there may be an exception in your case.

If a home based business still seems for you after those questions, this next point is pivotal to your future. After many years in this industry I know that ignoring this next advice is a recipe for certain disaster.

Do not even consider leaving your job until you have seen a minimum of 6 straight months where your home business income exceeded your job income.

I do not care if you are doing internet marketing, MLM, affiliate marketing , direct sales, it does not matter. This is one golden rule that should never be broken, end of story.

Obviously, you want to tell your boss you are leaving the corporate ladder. However, unless you want to be looking for another job in a few months time, make sure that you really take this piece of advice to heart. If there is one mistake that is common among home based business owners, it is leaving their paid employment too quickly.

Consider this fact. If you cannot make money at your business on a part-time basis what makes you think that having more time is going to change things? It will not. The fact is, you can build a good income level with most home based businesses by consistently doing 15 to 20 hours per week of income producing activity. Most people spend at least that amount of time stuck in front of the television OR they are using up time with some hobby or other interest.

Is making a sacrifice for a year or so worth if for permanent freedom?

you have to say yes to that one.

OK , so you are still on the hunt. You can get access to the necessary resources; you are prepared to sacrifice something to make the time available and you won’t quit your job until you can show some sustained success. Now you can start narrowing things down so that you have just a couple of viable options to choose from.

First off- choose a style of business. Do not choose Internet marketing or affiliate marketing if you like working directly with people. Also if you have minimal computer skills you are going to find anything in these fields a daunting task. If you like being on the phone or face to face with people, MLM or Direct sales could be a good fit for you. Similarly don’t chose a high ticket direct sales program if you do not have the financial resources available to get involved in the business and do the necessary marketing to make sales.

If the computer is your friend and talking directly to people is not your “thing” then Internet marketing and affiliate programs could be what you need. You can go online and search for info on these but do be careful. There is so much information available and it all sounds great. You are highly encouraged to do some serious due diligence before you commit any money to anything. Caveat Emptor! (Buyer beware)

Multi level or Network marketing (MLM) is a great choice for most because the start up costs are low. Make no mistake though, you still have to have adequate money to do some marketing. No marketing means no sales and therefore no revenue.

Be sure that the people you will be working with provide training and have a system in place that has a proven track record of success.

in the past few years, Networking Direct sales has emerged as a popular hybrid business model because it offers the best of both MLM and Franchise business but does not have the high start up costs of franchises and can be run form home.

There is the important “relationship building” aspect of MLM that people like. Additionally though, people view it more like a “real” business as large commissions are achievable through direct sales of upscale more expensive products. As an example, travel programs or personal development seminars held at exotic locations.

For the people with the money to get the products as well as funds to do advertising and marketing, the lifestyle and income level afforded by these programs definitely get them included on the lists of some of the best home bases businesses available today.

This should always be a carefully considered decision after much thought and never hurried. When people don’t give you time to complete your due diligence without pushing you for action, that’s a warning and a sign to “pass”! You do not want to work with those kind of people

You have to find YOUR business, the one that feels right to you. If you answer out loud to yourself the question “What is it that you do?”How does describing the business you are considering make you feel? Is it a positive emotion that is created? If you don’t get the warm fuzzies, keep searching.

Look at the products that you will need to sell, make sure it is legitimate. Remember if there is no bonafide product it is likely an illegal program so avoid it!

Do you feel committed to the product? Can you feel good about showing it to anyone?

If you feel any trepidation about endorsing the product heed the warning! Go with your gut and do not associate yourself with something that you are doubtful about

“The Comp plan is great so who cares about the product”

A sure route to failure is to consider the comp plan before being happy with the other areas.

Whatever business you choose, if has to be something that you really believe in. All that ‘fake till you make it’ nonsense, really is just that ‘nonsense’

At the end of the day, most people just jump into the first thing that comes along because their friend said it was good or they saw someone else making money at it. This is an emotional decision, not an business decision. If you are going to have ANY chance , you really do have to evaluate the business to be as sure as possible that it is the right one for you

Go through the check list and make 100% sure that all of these ingredients are in place.

1. Is the product something I will be proud of and will it deliver the value to others?

2. Is is my kind of business? Does it suit me? Do I feel good about it and excited?

3. Does the management/ownership of the company have a proven track record? It does not matter if it is a new business but you don’t want to be the guinea pig

4. is there a system in place? It is systems that make businesses work. Ask to see what tools are available and what level of support and training you have access to. Beware though of the “we do it all for you” claims. This is a big red flag. Any business that claims that you will not have to work will turn out not to be a business so rather then just gamble in the stock market or on real estate. Real business always require some work, end of story.

5. Is there a fair and rewarding compensation system? This is left until last because if all the others are in place , the money will usually take care of itself. Do not fall into the trap of wanting to become a compensation plan expert. Doing that, often causes people to focus on the money above everything else and as we have discussed, that is dangerous . It is easy to make a compensation plan look lucrative , but if the other factors have not been properly addressed, the company will not survive and your efforts will be wasted.

All of these ingredients have to be in place, if they are not then you need to keep looking until you find a business that has them all. That is the only valid starting point.

Action is then the next requirement and remember this important point. You have to be prepared to work diligently on your business for a minimum 1 to 3 years and refuse to think about quitting. Only quitters fail!

Be realistic, if you cannot give that level of commitment, don’t waste time or money on getting started because you are sure to end up not succeeding.

Use the benefit of someone else’s mistakes so that you don’t have to make them. A bit of common sense now will save you from making big errors later.

Want to find out more about The Best Home based businesses, then visit Frank Atkins’s site and find out why Frank is uniquely equipped to help you to select thebest home business for your needs.