The world wide web is full of offers to start home based businesses. They will tell you that a home based business is the vehicle to generating a passive source of income and can lead to early retirement. Furthermore, it is easy to start and run, and doesn’t require much financial commitment.While there are spectacular successes for some people, on the whole, the results will be disappointing for most. More often than not, many people will quit after a few months with mediocre results, while some might tough it out for a year or two, but still with rather poor results.When I started looking into the home based business phenomenon a few years back, I firmly believed that anyone with the drive to work hard and smart, can start and run a home based business, and make it a success.But now, with the benefit of hindsight, I do not think so. The demands of a home based business are many and varied, and I think not everybody can measure up. I have listed below some traits and reasons which you should NOT have if you want are considering a home based business. If you are guilty of even one of the traits or reasons, you might want to rethink your decision to start a home business.If You Are Looking For A JobYou are going to quit your job at the end of the present month. You have budgeted about 3 months worth of expenses, and is planning to work very hard at a home business so that you can make it a success by the fourth month. You reason that even if your potential earnings fall short of the claims by the fourth month, it should still be more than enough for you to get by.If You Are Not Open To Learning New SkillsYou are not open to nor are interested in learning any new skills. You are going to depend on everything you already know to run your business and have no intention of and do not see the necessity of learning anything new even if it is called for or if your business requires it.If You Don’t Have The Entrepreneurial SpiritYou know that you are not an entrepreneur. Even the thought of striking out on your own scares you. What you intend to do is to find a home based business that comes with step by step instructions. You fully intend to follow the instructions exactly and make the business a success.If You Are In Desperate Need of MoneyYour daughter’s college tuition has to be paid in the next 6 months. Furthermore, your landlord is looking for you for a little chat about the overdue rent and you are quite sure that the bank manager will be calling you soon for an update about the overdue loan payment. So, right now, you need an opportunity or a home based business that can earn you at least a few hundred dollars a month almost immediately.If You Don’t Want To Work HardYou are entranced by the ads on the net about home based business that can make you a lot of money but needs very little work and skill on your part. You don’t want to work hard and are actually looking to make money fast.ConclusionIf you see yourself in just one of the paragraphs above, you need to take it seriously. A home based business is not a walk in the park and if you start one with a handicap, your chances of failure will increase exponentially. Do take a step back and take an objective look at your strengths and weaknesses, and then decide if a home based business is for you.

In part three of my article series concerning the best rated home based businesses I am going to go into more detail concerning the most popular home based opportunities. The possibilities are literally endless. The fact is most professions have a home based counterpart; however chances are you are reading this article because you are looking to try something outside of your current career.I have done some extensive research over the last year concerning what are the most common types of opportunities folks work from home. I personally did an exhaustive search when I was looking to make the transition from Cooperate America to my home office. Since successful taking that plunge I have worked with countless people doing many different things to make a living from home.If you have read part 1 and part 2 of this series; you know that I stress that there are many factors to consider. I have put together a list of what I am confident is the top 30 home based businesses out there. Keep in mind, this list the most common paths that people take- not necessarily the most profitable or easiest. However, I do believe the following list will give anyone searching a few ideas to look into.The Top 30 Home Based BusinessesFreelance Writing, Data Entry, Home Improvement Services, Medical Transcriber, Catering, MLM Network Marketing, Internet or Online Marketing, Publishing e-books, Photography, Medical Claims Billing, Home-Based Franchise, Web Design, Affiliate Marketing, Online Auction Seller, Tutor, Personal Assistant, Copy Writer, Bookkeeping, Pet Services, Gift Baskets, Craft Making and Selling, Daycare, Legal Transcription, Event Planner, Interior Design, Senior Care Services, Business Mentor, Personal Trainer, Home Based Blogging Business, Transcription ServiceA more in-depth look at any of the about businesses would certainly take much more time than this article. What I am attempting to provide for you is a list of potential paths to look down. A review of part 1 and 2 of this article series should give you some thoughtful guidelines for you journey.On reflecting on what I have learned from working at home; I would like to stress that whatever path you follow, working for home is about selling. You are going to be providing a product, service, or opportunity and you will have to successfully sell it to potential prospects.Of course, consider the product, service, or opportunity and make sure it suites your genuine passions, skills, and realistic time and financial restraints. Then put together a solid marketing strategy before you invest your time and money into anything. If you cannot envision it; chances are you will not be able to make it happen.

There are a lot of us who think that a home based business should be internet based, but must it really? Not at all, although having an online based business is definitely one way of making sure that you spread your tentacles as far out as you can.There are some home based business that are mostly fuelled mainly by talent and passion – you do what you do best, you do it, and then get a way to get people to see your product and buy it.Some people opt to go with a purely online business, and this in fact has founded an industry on its own, with people selling all sorts of ideas about home based online businesses that you can start. Its OK if this is the route you want to take, but make sure that you choose something that you love doing and something that you’re good at. You may also need to learn – marketing on the internet for example is whole different ball game from face-t0-face marketing. Enroll yourself in Internet Marketing courses and get to learn all the little things you need to know about the internet that will help you grow your business.So which is the best approach really? A mix of the 2 would be a great way to go. The world has shifted online, and if you want people to see you and buy from you, you need to be available online for them to find you. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing – if you bake cakes for weddings and parties, set up a website so that anyone searching for a good baker in your locality can find you. If you make crafts, do the same so that you can get to reach a wider market.If you decide to do a purely internet business, make sure that you learn the ropes as well as you can because the only sales you will make will be based on your internet presence and visibility. Make sure that you learn how to be at the top of a search each time, and you will see that you will start to sell.Whatever way you decide to go as a work-at-home mom, make sure that you can reach a target market, and today, this is largely done through the internet.