Doing business over the Internet is all about trust. We rarely meet anyone in person who we've formed friendships with through instant messaging or chat rooms, let alone meet the people whose businesses we join. Perhaps we can chat with someone over the phone or use instant messaging, but aren't online business people always trying to put their best foot forward, just like any other salesperson would do? How can we know who to trust?

There are some warning signs of less-than-perfect business opportunities. One thing to look for is promises of easy money with little to no effort on your part. Every business takes work, and none can succeed without effort on the part of the owner. It is also discouraged to join a business in which your profit is dependent upon other people making purchases. A monthly order requirement in a business can be good and many legitimate businesses use this technique to create residual income for their members, however, if you are relying solely on the buying habits of individual members, profit can be difficult to realize, if it's ever seen. There are also online sites where you can check for feedback about businesses, such as the Better Business Bureau Online or other sites that allow users to post information about scams and frauds they have encountered.

Another way to check for feedback about other businesses, as well as to meet other business professionals, is to join online forums. There is usually wonderful advice to be found on business forums. Most people there are either savvy enough to answer your questions or can evaluate a business opportunity and see the pitfalls. You also have the opportunity to form friendships and seek guidance from others who offer sound advice and belong to legitimate business opportunities. Personally, I have met wonderful people who have led me to legitimate opportunities that I would not have found otherwise.

There are always exceptions to every rule, but in general, doing your due research can save you from joining the wrong business opportunity. Use all the resources available to you, or branch out and join some new forums, make some new friendships, and see things from a different perspective. You can succeed, and you can find people to help you. It is possible to find trust in an uncertain environment.

One business opportunity I've found that is legitimate: http://www.mineralgirlz.com/members/makeupforyou/