Web Business Resource

If you see an offer online or want to do business with a website that is not reputable, you want to make sure that it isn’t a scam. Even if it is not an full-fledged scam, it might still not be what you are expecting. How many times in your life have you bought something and then been disappointed by it?

Here are some tips for spotting scams:

If it seems too good to be true, remember that it probably is.

Ask yourself how the company making the offer works. How do they make money? If you do not see how they profit from the deal, there is a good chance that it is some sort of trick or scam. For example, if somebody asked you for $10 today and promised to pay you $1,000 tomorrow, you would almost certainly know it was a scam because the person would be losing so much money.

Search with the search engines. Simply doing a search on an search engine like Google can give you valuable information about a companies reputation from third-party sources. If you think it might be a scam try searching the company’s name with the word “scam.”

You can also check with companies such as the BBB to see if they have any records on there.

You can ask me, ask other bloggers or ask on a webmaster forum. Though I cannot guarantee my judgment is accurate, I can at least check any specific company, and tell you what I think.

Spotting internet business scams is usually easy. The general rule almost always applies: If it seems to good to be true, then it is.

Creating and running a successful business is hard work. It takes a lot of time and effort.

It is NOT quick money. It is NOT easy money. Anyone who offers you a business saying that you will make money quickly and easily is almost definitely a scammer.

It’s quicker and easier to make money at a job as an employee. You just go to work, do what you are told, and get a regular paycheck. It comes with quick credit and reliability.

The drawbacks of a regular job is that it can boring, that you feel like a slave, and that you lose motivation. Generally, you will make the same amount no matter how hard you work. You can get promotions every now and then, but it is hard to have big dreams at a regular old 9-to-5.

Running you own internet business gives you the ability to always work to improve your business and try to make more money. The goal almost always is to work your way up and up, until you are making lots of money. But that does not happen quick, and it does not happen easily. And any businessperson worth a damn knows from the start that it isn’t easy or quick.

If someone wants a small amount for an out-of-the-box business, it is probably a scam. If they are promising you huge bucks, why would they need such a measly investment?

When someone makes you a home business proposal, ask them questions about the business model. Scammers try to blind people with promises of getting rich. They will talk about being rich rather than about the business model. Ask them what service you would be providing and specifically how it would cause you to make money.

Most importantly, check a person’s reputation. Do a Google search, for example. And check the Better Business Bureau.

I think the best way to start an internet business is from scratch. Study, research, and do it on your own. I recommend not buying any out-of-the-box business offer.

What do you think? How do you recommend that newcomers spot scams?

by Ben Ehinger

Are you sick of getting duped out of your hard earned $100 and $50 bills? I know I am. It gets old handing over hard earned cash for the most poorly written products on the planet. You would think that these product owners could produce a better product considering they write such great sales copy.

So how can you avoid getting scammed by these savvy rip off artists? There are three major ways to avoid the scams. 1) Realize that sometimes it is not the program it is you. 2) Stop buying everything you see and changing products constantly. 3) Read reviews and do some research.

First, you need to realize one thing, you have to put in the work. There is no way you will make a dime without putting any work in, unless you can pay someone else to do it and if you are reading this you probably can’t. Be willing to give your product at least a month before dumping it and put in whatever amount of work per day or week that you can afford, just keep it consistent.

Second, you have to stop buying everything under the sun. You need to stick to 2-4 programs and get a handle on them before adding more. It is ok to work with multiple programs, but stick with them. The best rule of thumb is to plan on at least a half hour a day, 5 days a week, per program. So if you have 2 hours a day your max is 4 programs.

Last, before you purchase or join a new program read some reviews and do some research. Discussion boards, forums, and groups will give you some good information on what is worth your money and what is bogus. I used to purchase anything that sounded good and now 3 years later and about $4,000 later I have finally got smart and decided to read some reviews before I bought anything. Listen to this advice it will save you a ton of cash.

So now you know that you have to be willing to put in some work, stop buying everything that sounds good, and you read some reviews and do some research you will be able to find good products and programs to use. So get out there do the work and start changing your financial future.

Still here huh? Well, I will give you a little more and I won’t even charge you. Here is a great FREE review called the Get Rich Quick Scams Revealed and Reviewed. Go here:

Who Loves Money?

By Ed Bagley

The idea has been around since we first ditched the barter system for a monetary system of coinage. You could create a system of growing money by making entrance to the system affordable, rewarding people for bringing others into the system, and using leverage to build volume and profit. It is called a forced matrix, and it is just one of many variations of using money to create money.

Banks have been doing it forever. They will safeguard and insure any money you put into a savings account and pay you perhaps 3% annual interest on your deposit. The bank will then use your money to finance a credit card account that another customer opens, and he or she will pay 18% interest on any balance carried over to their next monthly bill.

The difference between the 3% the bank is paying the savings account customer and the 18% the bank is earning on the customer’s credit card account is called the spread, and it is this 15% revenue generated, less its operating expenses, that accounts for the bank’s profit.

People used to exchange goods and services for other goods and services before money was created, and some people still barter today to avoid using money (mostly for tax reasons I am told). When we learned to produce coins from metal our marketplace expanded rapidly as more people could be involved in producing and consuming goods and services. Coinage leveled the playing field so a person in need of food did not need to exchange a more valuable item for a meal.

All of this came back to me today as I was surfing the Internet and came across a forced matrix opportunity with this very prominent headline: 2 new members + 12 days = $11,776.

I thought it has been a long time since I made $11,776 in 12 days. After that thought, I reminded myself that I have never made $11,776 in 12 days. Now you can appreciate why an Internet Marketer surfing the Internet might be interested in such an opportunity.

This is all possible, according to the offer, through its “OPFM HYPER-MATRIX, The Perfect System That Can Not Fail.” I am guessing that this claim means it is not only fail safe, but fool proof. I found this reassuring as I would not want to be made a fool by losing my time and money should I choose to participate.

It sounded like a pretty simple system. The $7 fee to join makes it accessible to almost everyone. You then pay $7 monthly to maintain your membership, and when you are able to get two people to join with you in the system, your overheads are paid because it generates a 50% commission paid from their joining fee.

Apparently it is a 2x matrix, meaning those first two people you got to join are on your first level. Then you teach those first two people how to do what you did, and soon a baby sapling begins growing roots into the ground that extend farther and wider than you could see on a clear day.

The logical extension of this is that, even though no one started out to conquer the world, a real possibility is created, so to speak, as this doubling effect in only 29 days would have more than 536 million people involved, which would be 236 million more people than reside here in the United States, as we just passed the 300 million mark in population growth.

A mere 4 more days would have the matrix at 8.5 billion people involved, which, of course, would not technically be possible since there are currently only slightly more than 6.5 billion people on planet Earth. It is refreshing to encounter someone who thinks big!

Could this logical extension happen? Well, why not, since the stated intention of the offer reassures us that “we can create $11,000+ monthly incomes for our entire team!” This is really pretty heady stuff for a dinky 2x matrix. Imagine the effect of a 10x matrix, assuming, of course, we could find a thinker 5 times as big.

One thing is for sure: Should this logical extension happen, it would dwarf the generous many-billion-dollar-plus contributions Bill and Melinda Gates are making to needed causes around the world. One would have to concede, however, that raising the annual income of all people in underdeveloped countries around the world to $11,000 plus per annum would be a stunning achievement that even Gates could not match with his wealth.

But, alas, it is not be, because upon reading further I discover this 2x matrix offer is capped at approximately $20,000+ a month, which means the matrix is only intended to fill out to “x” amount of levels.

About The Author: Ed Bagley is the author of Ed Bagley’s Blog, which he publishes daily with fresh, original writing intended to delight, inform, educate and motivate readers. Visit Ed at . . . http://www.edbagleyblog.com

by Ray Mann

Working online can provide many freedoms. An online income can also be difficult to maintain. There are many different types of online incomes. The best way to figure out what is right for you is to find support online from others who are trying to make an online income.

Your reasons for trying to find an online income can be many different things. You may be wanting an extra source of income or just looking to leave the 9to5 world. There are benefits no matter your reason for trying online income.
- You are your own boss.
- You directly control how much you make.
- You chose the type of job you want to do.
- No commuting.
- No special dress code.
This list could go on and on. The benefits are what you make them.

The different types of income online range from easy programs to telecommuting positions that work much like a job outside the home. Residual income is where you sell a product through a website from another company. This involves very little work on your part and the income keeps coming without anything more on your part. As long as people are visiting your site and buying what you offer, you make money. These types of programs also usually involve programs where you can sign up other people to sell and you make a cut of any income they make. The possibilities for income are huge if you chose a good company and advertise well. Another type of online income is a business opportunity. It is like residual income, but you have to continuously work to sell. You interact with your clients and can also sell offline. These types of programs usually require an investment because you are essentially building your own business. These investments buy you your promotion materials and sample of products. Telecommuting jobs are online income where you work at home. These jobs are like a job you would have outside the home. You are given work by a company and expected to perform according to their guidelines. You have to put in time to make money. These are three examples of ways to make money online. New ideas are cropping up everyday, but beware of scams that may be lurking to take advantage of your time and money.

A scam is where you are tricked out of your time or money by someone posing an income opportunity. There are some ways to spot scams. You should be wary of anyone who asks for payment for processing fees or other clerical fees. These are usually scams to steal your money. The easiest way to tell a scam is if the company doesn’t give out a lot of information or you have to pay for information. You should be able to ask questions and know everything you need to know before investing in an opportunity. Perhaps the number one way to avoid scams is to talk to others who are making online income. Search for websites about working at home and look for message boards where you can talk with others. This will help you to get advice on scams and how to avoid them. You can also check companies out with the Better Business Bureau. The most important thing to remember is if it seems too good to be true than it probably is.

Online income can give you a great way to build your finances. With the many choices of income opportunities you should easily be able to find something that works for you. Just be careful and check out any opportunity thoroughly.

About The Author: Would You Like Us To Find You The Ideal Homework Job That Will Give You The Opportunity To Stay At Home With Your Family And Still Make Money! Get All The Exciting Details Now At: www.nomore-boss.com

by Kevin Nobleman

If you want to acquire products to drop ship or wholesale, where do you look? There are all kinds of wholesale and drop ship list for sale on eBay. There’s likely to be lots of decent companies right?

Not true, according to Chris Malta, the Product Sourcing Editor for eBay Radio:

When you see all these “Incredible” lists and books and packages of wholesaler suppliers and drop shippers for sale on eBay and the rest of the Internet, for anywhere from $5 to $50 or more, what you’re seeing 99% junk.

There are thousands of scammers, snake oil salesmen and con artists on the Internet who are just lying around waiting to AMBUSH you when you begin looking for REAL wholesale suppliers to do business with. Believe it or not, there is a whole niche industry built up on the Net around this kind of scamming! The folks who run these scams have all the moral fiber of a box of hair, and the only reason they even recognize the word ‘Scruples’ is from the TV ad for the party game.

You may have even fallen prey to one of these con artists, selling you their “insider” wholesale/drop ship list of suppliers. Me too. I’ve purchased so many lists that I can’t even recollect how many. I don’t know why, but I tend to find the “good” in people, and I was “sold” by these marketing schemes time and time again, even after being scammed by the latest one. Finally, after so many disappointments, I had HAD ENOUGH. I decided to get to the bottom of this appeal we all have with wholesale/drop ship companies, and find out if there really were any LEGITMATE drop shippers for purchasing “hot” consumer goods at great prices.

I literally contacted the administrator of every wholesale drop shipping website I could find. Posing as an investor, I managed to persuade the owners that I was seriously interested in purchasing their entire website and business. That way, once the cartoonish money bags flashed in their minds, they would grant me free access to their member’s areas to examine what I would be “buying”. Well, I was appalled with 99% of what I found. Many of the owners actually bragged about how many people purchased their useless subscriptions. I repeatedly found:

*outdated lists

*non-working links

*links leading to other sites that asked for more money

*no help section

*no real email support

*no refunds

I quickly realized that these so-called wholesale/drop ship lists were totally pointless. And the owners knew it, yet they were laughing all the way to the ATM machine! Needless to say, I didn’t respond when they asked if I was still interested in purchasing their websites. Surprisingly, while sitting through all of the scam artist’s websites, I was able to locate a group of individuals that actually ran legitimate programs.

The owners were common folk like you and me that found a way to earn extra money working from home on their computers. Their membership areas were impressive, with an impressive amount of quality information on how to make $100-$200 per day on your computer doing very little work. I even chatted with a few of their customers in several online forums, and they confirmed that they were earning extra money using the information that the websites had provided them with. It was like I found a few diamonds in the rough. But don’t take my word for it, you can drop by the over two dozen sites I found. See what you think.

They do charge a minimal fee for access to their program, which is to be expected for any legitimate enterprise that actually has people on staff who are dedicated to helping you get earning online. What a warm group of people! Anyway, if you do decide you are interested in any of the two dozen companies, I advise you to join poste-haste, as the owners have informed me that they are getting so many new members by word of mouth referrals, that they will be blocking off membership completely by month’s end. (By the way, you didn’t get this news from me!) They don’t have a large enough staff to welcome many more people, and they are driven to providing excellent service to each person. Well, my quest to find legitimate Dropship companies has come to an end. I have to mention I was thoroughly disappointed with most of what I found, and I strongly urge you not to take any chances doing business with any companies other than the twenty four I will share with you.

Whatever you do, I hope for you and everyone you love a healthy and prosperous year.

Take care and I wish you all the best.

by Scott Hughes

Unfortunately, one of the realities of internet business is the scam, schemes gimmicks, and cons. Of course, scams, schemes, and such have been around long before the internet, but just like the internet has increased and facilitated genuine business, the internet has also helped black-hat confidence men spread their dirty scams and schemes.

Most of the schemes fall under the categories of ponzi, pyramid, or MLM (multi-level-marketing). A ponzi scheme is a scheme in which “members” join by paying a fee, told that they will receive an income without working, but the income is paid by giving them a portion of other members fees. Many people are familiar with a pyramid scheme or MLM. Both are flawed business models, in which “sponsors” are paid commissions off the sales of other people they recruit into the scheme, both directly and indirectly. Most pyramid schemes and MLM don’t even really sell a product; Instead they just sell “start-up” packages. The inherent flaw of the pyramid scheme is that it continuously needs exponentially more sellers to sponsor. Eventually, the pyramid collapses, leaving all but the few con men at the top broke.

One thing I always recommend against is using any program that claims you can make easy money online fast with a small fee. There’s a lot of scams out there that say you can make money taking surveys, entering data, stuffing envelopes, or etc. They don’t work. They’re just scams and schemes. Basically, if it sounds to good to be true, it is. If you’ll make so much money with these programs, why do they need the small fee beforehand? Couldn’t they just take the fee out of your pay? They can’t take the fee out of your pay, because you’re never going to get any.

Remember, the only free lunch is found in a mouse trap.

About The Author: Scott Hughes creates and runs many successful e-businesses. Read more articles like this on his Web Business Resource blog at http://www.webbizresource.com/. You may republish this article if you keep all links intact and keep this “About The Author” footer.