You've seen the ads. They pop up unexpectedly. Maybe you enter a search phrase on Google. Perhaps a friend tells you they saw a website online. Other times, you will find that interesting little something in your email and decide it's "okay to check it out."

Some of the biggest questions on our minds when we see those ads are:

• Can I REALLY make money with this?
• What if it's a scam?
• How can I tell if it's the real thing?
• Why do they want money to get started?

These are common concerns. There are 5 questions that can help you.

The correct answers to these questions doesn't mean overnight success with any particular business. However, getting the right answers means you are less likely to get burned, lose money, and waste your time. The right answers also give your better odds at success. Additionally, if the business you are looking at turns out NOT to be what you are looking for - there is no harm done and you have not lost any money. The only risk taken is time spent getting the facts.

5 Questions to Ask Work at Home Businesses

1. What credentials does your company have and how long have they been in business?

According to some reports, companies that have been in business less than 5-7 years have a greater risk of going under. You don't want to invest time and effort only to find that it wasn't stable. Look for companies with 10 or more years under their belt. Ask if they will give you credentials. Do they supply a copy of a recent growth chart? Does it show growth every year? A business presentation should include factual information easily verified. Look for credentials (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, awards, news articles, scientific findings if they represent products, etc.) This information is how you learn that a business is not a "scam." For example, a company that sits on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is not going to be a scam and still be allowed on the Chamber.

2. Is this a "job" or a "business" opportunity?

You should ask this question because it's important to know the difference. Are YOU looking for a job or a business of your own? If a company is offering you a job, you should have no start up cost involved. A work at home job is simply a paycheck to paycheck type of income that allows you to stay home. Typically, there are few legitimate ways to get a "real" job on the internet. Some companies allow employees to work from home and not commute every day.

Be careful of companies who "appear" to be a job. You may discover it is actually an offer to show you a list of companies who might have work from home jobs. Sadly, these types of schemes charge you a fee for the list. Other types of ads or websites charge you to show you HOW to work from home. Don't be fooled. These are not job offers.

If you are looking at a legitimate business opportunity, you will find there is usually an investment. Sometimes the investment will cover a product kit or maybe it covers training materials. Occasionally, it is like a licensing fee that allows you to represent the company. Many times it can be hundreds or thousands of dollars to get started. The investment will depend on the type of business. In this author's experience, you can ethically have a business with unlimited income potential without having a huge investment.

3. Can I Really Make Money?

This question is also stated another way: Do I have what it takes? Basically the answer to the question depends on two things. The first is the company's compensation plan. Is it set up so that you can move step by step to your income goals? Does the company share annual income statistics so you can see what the highest, lowest, and average amount of income is company wide? Many companies don't want you to see what other people are making and won't show you. Look for a company that shows you that information. It's important for you to know what is possible from Day 1.

Secondly, depend on yourself and what you know about YOU. If the person who shows you a business presentation isn't making the kind of money YOU plan to earn, don't take that as a sign of what the company can offer overall. Remember each person is different and your business success ratios will be different from another business. Your business may totally outpace someone else's. So, remember not to place yourself in someone else's shoes in this case. Everyone has different goals and moves accordingly.

4. What type of support and training do you offer and is there a charge?

Many home businesses have a really great product and business model. Yet, many people fail when they try their hand at it. What is missing? Why do so many fail? It's the level of coaching, support and resources that make all the difference. Check to see if the business you are looking at offers free or inexpensive ways to get your business up and running. Is the training free? Do you get a business coach? If working online, will you have to pay for a website? What about tech support? Is tech support and website maintenance included at no extra charge? Ask before you get started.

5. Will I have to Sell Products, Keep Inventory? How Much is this Going to Cost?

A business that is legitimate is going to be selling products or services. If there is not a product or service involved, it is likely a scam. So, if you do not want to physically exchange goods for money, take orders, deliver, ship products or provide customer service for a company, you may NOT be looking for a business. If you want to be in business FOR yourself, you will need to be involved with products or services in some way. It could be making your own products to sell or selling someone else's product or service. Inventory can be very costly and you could lose money if you don't sell the product.

Some businesses don't require selling, stocking or delivering. You can endorse their product, their company and open accounts or memberships for them. You are in an agreement with them as an independent contractor. Ideally, if you could combine this method with working on the internet, you would be in a 100% home based atmosphere and you would have a very low start up cost because there is NO product or inventory to sell. You'd want to use the company's merchandise yourself so you'd be credible when you setup accounts for them. In that case, a low requirement to use their products for yourself and your family would not be unreasonable. It makes sense. You would want a company that manufactured goods and services you use everyday. There's little to no new money coming out of your budget when you do that. If you combined this type of an opportunity with all of the 4 points above, you would have a very good starting point and foundation for being your own boss without a ton of expense or overhead.