How do I differentiate between a scam and a genuine Online / Internet business?

I am an IT Professional who would like to make an extra income, and therefore would appreciate advice / help on how to start a genuine Internet Business. Business suggestions and contacts are welcome.

I just finished reading an article written by another internet marketer on this very subject. The link is below.

If you don't want to do the research yourself on legitimate home based businesses, it has been done for you. I have also listed a site that does offer legitimate online business.

You can also check with the BBB online and they have a lot of info on scam sites.

Well, you have to remember that an Internet Business is just like any other business. You need to have a good product or service, plan and simple. And while everything is easier to do online, the trick is that everything online is free or nearly free, so your margins will be minimal, if any at all at the beginning.
Traditionally, a first-timer will go with the easiest route: a website filled with information on any given topic. To make money, you will use advertisements.
Moving up on more advanced terrain, you may venture into consulting, and actually take calls from people.
Then you will probably move into video and educational courses. And there are processes for all these types of things that I would be happy to discuss with you if you want.

I myself do consulting - that's my main job - and I'm quite happy with my income, so I haven't really been compelled to venture into more profitable "moves" online.

To answer your question, an online business, in my opinion, is a business that YOU start on your own. You're going to find, even in this forum, that you can sign up to answering surveys, and then you'll find those people who say, "Hey, joing XYZ website for free and then ask others to join in. You make money from every member you pull in." Unfortunately, if you're familiar with Amway at all, you'll know where these companies come from. They are scams. And they don't really have anything substantial to tell you.

Here's a simple rule of thumb online: You don't know the person on the other side of the line, so they could be anybody. So NO exchange of personal information. And NEVER be afraid to ask tough questions about YOUR goals. If they can't answer you with clearly articulated thoughts, opinions, and if they can't provide you with resources to serious answers you have, then they are probably not legitimate. Think of the internet as two people having a conversation. You quickly know who has something to say and who doesn't in real life. Try and pick that up from any online person you meet. If it's a website or a "course" your'e getting pushed into, it's not good. Just imagine somebody walking up to you on the street and trying to sell you something. It looks weird, feels uncomfortable as hell, and you would take whoever the person was as a joke.

Here are some "business" suggestions you can browse through. Maybe you'll pick me as your favorite answer. And hopefully you'll reach me with some questions.

Thanks.

There are some legitimate bussinesses at http://ewebsmith.com If you have to pay for it, it is usually a scam unless it's from a well know company like eBay or Homelife, etc. Here is a quote from a guy who took an online company public:

"There is no system available for sale, that will allow you to make a good living online without hard work -- and the very fact that a system is FOR SALE should be a solid clue to you that the object of the product is primarily to remove money from YOUR pocket, to put it into somebody else's pocket. Go to clickbank.com and you will see HUNDREDS of "money making systems" you can market to the unsuspecting masses and you can make good money selling those systems -- but you will not make money buying them."

did this really work for you?

just get educated and don't rely on the people here spamming their 'hot' deal.... use your search engine and type in mlmwatchdog. You should find a report called internet due dilligence. If not, send me an email through my profile and I will send you the exact link. PLEASE do not sign up for any of these things until you learn a bit more about how to determine scam from real.

If I can help further, just reach me through my profile.
~good luck
~enlighten, educate, and empower

Any company that asks for advance payment or has a fee for providing work at home jobs is likely to be a scam. Online jobs without any investment available at http://www.pcworkathome.net