When I write about getting your business on the web or building your business through an internet based business model, I usually spark a lot of thought in the community. When I reviewed the queries on this series, a common question I get is, just what is the selection criteria? Specifically what would one look for when making a decision on an internet based business opportunity? Well I thought about it and here is the process in a nutshell one should pursue.

How did you come across the internet based business opportunity? The approach says a lot. Put more credence in someone you know then someone you just met. The internet is no different. Ask yourself; does it appear that these folks who just approached you will be around for a long time? Are they living a life or appear to have some sort of lifestyle besides pushing out email after email.

One of the things I notice is that after a while, the same email shows up in my email inbox from 5 different internet marketers but they are all offering the same unbelievable solution to life. After a while the warning signs should be going off since they are probably all using the same “canned” email letter and are probably sitting right next to each other.

Longevity, did the guru just appear in your inbox? Does his operation appear to have a history? Will he or she be around for a while? Is there anything they are doing that you feel you could talk to them about one-on-one if required? Notice the distinct absence of any personal information in their emails or on their websites, but notice there is lots of personal talk. It’s a big disconnect. Can you find any past information on them anywhere, in any ezine or website or even offline?

Are they offering a follow-up plan? Scammers or those people whom have never really tried the product they are selling usually have no follow up plan whatsoever. If the objective is to sell someone else’s great product and move on, then the worst thing to them is a committed customer. The only commitment they want from you is for you to purchase their next product, not using and exploring the good and the bad of the current product.

In terms of follow up, one great way to see if there is a real sales person behind the business opportunity is for real. Send them an email. See if they answer and how do they answer. If you don’t get an email, then they really don’t need your sale because they are building their business off of the quantity of sales, not the quality of sales. Don’t fall for your email in my spam box because if you don’t pay or pay incorrectly, they somehow magically find you.

Ask them about their process to greatness. How have they done it in the past and why does it work? As a career coach and consultant the important thing to me is that success is mandatory and it should be to you also.

Summing it up, you should notice that the answers followed the recommended plan of earlier models. First, use the same common sense you use offline, who are they and where did they come from? Attempt to understand their past and what they have done before. Can you get a reference, do they have credible testimonials? Finally determine their next steps and their process. Can you touch them? Will they answer an email or a phone call? Is it a step by step handholding process? Is it a clear enough process that you can execute and get an update if your circumstances don’t fit their cookie cutter process? As you move your self through this process, your next step and direction will clearly reveal itself.