The attraction of being able to stay at home and make an additional income is obvious. No rush hour traffic. No boss to tell you what to do. Take time off when you want, etc, etc. For many though, just spending more time with those they love is worth more than anything else.

The problem for most though is which business do you choose and how do you know you are choosing the right one? With so many opportunities to choose from, I have listed a few tips to help you decide and make the right choice.

Do your due diligence. In other words, do a search on the company using Google and see what appears. It is always best to do your research because if you find nearly all the sites online are saying bad things about the company, then keep away. See how many good things are said about a company you are researching. There will be some negative views there but consider what most people are saying and not one angry customer.

Joining an opportunity for free is ok, however it is very unlikely you will be able to create an additional income with a free program. By going for a business that has a monthly cost involved, you do two things. Firstly, you commit yourself which should have the effect of making you take action, and secondly it will help you to create a regular monthly income as others will have to pay a monthly fee also. We call this residual income.

Having a consumable product is best. Having customers purchasing on a monthly basis simply means you get paid each month when they do. Your income can grow quickly when you have a consumable product people re buy every month.

Know how much time you will have to work on building your business part time. Too many people commit to hours they cannot keep and end up getting tired and lose enthusiasm because of it. If you have 15 hours a week to spare then make sure you work those 15 hours on your business. Once your income grows you will find more time to dedicate to your home based business.

Choose a business that offers more than one stream of income. For example, if you choose a company that has various ways for you to earn, then you will have a far greater chance of succeeding. If you only have one way to earn, then you are limiting your options.

Make sure the company you choose is financially stable. You will want to make sure that you get paid for the work and sales you bring in.

Check out the owners of the company and see if they are accessible. This always helps if they are and it shows they care about their people.

Ensure that the marketplace you enter is growing. Choosing a company and product that is in a marketplace where no-one wants or needs the products is a waste of time.

You will need to receive training, so check out the company to see what they have in place. After all, anyone you bring into the business will need training also.

Any good company will have a marketing system in place for you to use. If not, then don't even consider them. Marketing systems are essential because it is likely you will want to use the Internet to promote your new business as this is the best way to generate prospects.

It is not an easy task trying to find a home based business with all this in place. Many companies will tell you they have everything you need, but when you look closer most are missing some vital ingredients. It is like making bread without the yeast extract. Without the yeast, the taste is aweful!

With everything I have said above, for me the most important thing is the training. Without top class training and support it is unlikely you will ever create a home based business to be proud of. All you will do is spend your hard earned money and end up being worse off than before.