| The word Website appears first in the title | | | | repeat the process all over again. Thus, if |
| of this article because, especially in the | | | | they are not a BBB member, they may very |
| | | | |
| home based business and network marketing | | | | well have taken advantage of many |
| industries, you will often be dealing | | | | unsuspecting victims, but simply haven't been |
| | | | |
| with an individual Webpage or Website as | | | | |
| opposed to a large company. That Website | | | | around long enough for complaints to have |
| | | | reached the BBB yet. That's why it is a |
| might be the independent representative page | | | | |
| of a representative, or it could be an | | | | requirement that when a business or |
| | | | individual applies for membership they must |
| independently developed page operated by an | | | | |
| entrepreneur.Even if you are looking at a | | | | have been in business for at least 6 months |
| Webpage that is owned by a company, often you | | | | to a year, and, further, the BBB goes as |
| will | | | | |
| | | | far back as 3 years in their files to see if |
| have to go no further in the evaluation | | | | there have been any past complaints before |
| process to rule out a particular Website or | | | | |
| | | | granting membership.Unscrupulous companies |
| opportunity. Then, only if the Website | | | | that try to evade detection by closing their |
| passes your tests, do you go on to evaluate | | | | doors and then |
| | | | |
| the company and opportunity.Please realize, | | | | opening up again under a new name are often |
| also, that this article does not really | | | | detected in the BBB's database. So, if |
| address the issues involved in | | | | |
| | | | you know that a company previously operated |
| evaluating the opportunity side of a | | | | under a different name it would be a |
| company, or fully evaluating the company and | | | | |
| | | | good idea to check to see if any complaints |
| opportunity combined. On the Homepage of | | | | were filed against the company under |
| appears a 13-point | | | | |
| | | | its previous name(s).5. WHOIS and Alexa are |
| criteria developed out of two decades of | | | | tools that you can use in combination to |
| experience with evaluating business | | | | further develop a |
| | | | |
| opportunities. The version on the Homepage | | | | profile and picture of what a Website is all |
| is only an overview, but a more | | | | about. |
| | | | |
| complete version of what to look for will | | | | Alexa ( ) allows you to track various data |
| appear soon in the form of a new article.One | | | | about a Website's |
| other point before we really get started, is | | | | |
| that this article is not concerned with | | | | activity, perhaps how long the site has been |
| | | | around, and maybe who owns it.Alexa can be a |
| aesthetic issues. Granted, there are | | | | great tool, but you have to be very careful |
| certain, "generally accepted Web design | | | | if you aren't familiar with |
| | | | |
| practices," some of which will be talked | | | | what all of the various pieces of |
| about here. However, just because a | | | | information mean. For instance, just because |
| | | | a |
| Website uses a certain type of graphics, or | | | | |
| perhaps a wild color scheme (or a boring | | | | Website has a high Alexa rating doesn't mean |
| | | | it's credible.There are enough people who |
| one), doesn't mean that it can't offer good | | | | love money enough to jump onboard any scheme |
| content or opportunities. There are just | | | | or |
| | | | |
| too many factors having to do with personal | | | | scam even if it seems too good to be true |
| preference for these to be considered a | | | | that unscrupulous Websites have often |
| | | | |
| major factor for the purpose of this | | | | been able to achieve high Alexa ratings. The |
| article.Ok, with that said, here are some of | | | | thing to watch for is most of the traffic |
| the things that you should be looking for | | | | |
| when | | | | being generated by the people who are |
| | | | jumping onboard the scheme and |
| evaluating a Website or a company:1. Is the | | | | |
| MAIN Website directly accessible via a URL | | | | advertising the site, as opposed to the |
| (Web address) that reasonably | | | | Website climbing up in the rankings on its |
| | | | |
| makes sense? | | | | own merits.Again, it may take you a while |
| | | | before you are able to interpret and read the |
| Some Websites, most notably those that are | | | | data to |
| questionable, will | | | | |
| | | | be able to discern such things. However, one |
| occasionally set up even their main URL so | | | | potential clue that "might" be a tip off |
| that it isn't very intuitive or accessible | | | | |
| for | | | | is when you see a Website appear out of the |
| | | | blue and all of a sudden it has a high |
| the general public. For instance, normally a | | | | |
| Website name might look something like | | | | Alexa rating. Maybe it's ranked at #77,000, |
| | | | for instance, but it's only been on the |
| this: the other hand, if something isn't | | | | |
| quite right it might look something like | | | | charts for a few weeks or months. Not |
| this: me immediately point out that simply | | | | always, but, especially if you are utilizing |
| because a URL ends with a name similar to | | | | the |
| | | | |
| one of the examples above that doesn't mean | | | | other methods discussed here, you may be |
| that the Website isn't legitimate. If, | | | | able to determine that such a brief and |
| | | | |
| for instance, you are reading this article | | | | rapid change in ranking is a red flag for |
| directly on the Website of | | | | that particular Website.You also have to |
| | | | realize that Websites and the companies and |
| instead of in my email newsletter, then it | | | | individuals behind |
| ends with a name that is tacked onto the | | | | |
| | | | them are separate entities. For instance, |
| main Web address of It's pretty standard | | | | Sears Roebuck had obviously already been |
| practice in the industry to | | | | |
| | | | around a long, long time before they ever |
| add forward slashes and additional | | | | had a Website. And even companies or |
| directories, folders, and/or page names to | | | | |
| the | | | | individuals that have a Website sometimes |
| | | | add new ones, etc. So, if a company or |
| right of the main URL.However, IF you cannot | | | | |
| erase those extra characters to the right and | | | | individual says they've been around for a |
| directly access | | | | while, but their Website hasn't been |
| | | | |
| the Website with just the portion that ends | | | | around as long, that isn't necessarily a red |
| in .com, or .net, or .biz, or .ws, etc., that | | | | flag as long as you can verify the |
| | | | |
| | | | information.As for WHOIS, there are numerous |
| may be cause for concern. Many Websites | | | | WHOIS servers that you can use. Many in fact. |
| direct visitors to pages that aren't the | | | | |
| | | | |
| main Homepage. However, if you can't get to | | | | However, three of the best known and most |
| the Website's main Homepage, again, | | | | popular are:InterNIC |
| | | | |
| that may be cause for suspicion. Business | | | | |
| Websites are all about marketing a | | | | |
| | | | Network Solutions |
| product or service, so any normal Website | | | | |
| owner would typically want to make sure | | | | is a special database that lets you find |
| | | | out about a Website by typing in the |
| that their Homepage is accessible to any and | | | | |
| all visitors.2. What kind of contact options | | | | domain name (the Website address). Among the |
| are provided? Email, Contact Form, telephone | | | | things that you may be able to find |
| | | | |
| number, etc.? | | | | out are out how long the Website has been |
| | | | around, who owns it, and where that |
| If there are no contact options, unless | | | | |
| there is a VERY good reason, such as that the | | | | company or individual is actually |
| | | | located.Earlier I mentioned a scam Website |
| | | | that claimed to be in the UK. Well, using the |
| site is undergoing construction or | | | | |
| maintenance, consider it to be a big RED | | | | |
| Flag!If the site offers a way for you to | | | | same kinds of methods that I'm telling you |
| purchase something, but there are no contact | | | | about here I quickly found all kinds of |
| | | | |
| options (until after purchase, you hope), | | | | red flags. One of the biggest was that when |
| then absolutely consider it a BIG RED Flag!In | | | | I ran a WHOIS query the result came |
| general, the more contact options, the | | | | |
| better. I would feel the most comfortable, | | | | back that the site owners were not really in |
| | | | the UK as they claimed to be, but were |
| for instance, dealing with Website where an | | | | |
| email address or contact form, and a | | | | actually registered on the offshore island |
| | | | of Belize, a common tactic of, and a HUGE |
| phone number, and a street address are | | | | |
| provided. I would feel least comfortable | | | | red flag characteristic of scam |
| | | | operations.Another thing to watch for are |
| with a Website where only an email address | | | | private registrations by companies or |
| and nothing else is provided.Remember also | | | | individuals who |
| that you can, or should, view Websites owned | | | | |
| by individuals slightly | | | | are obviously advertising as doing business |
| | | | with the public. Private registrations are |
| differently than Websites owned by a | | | | |
| company. Any legitimate, reputable company, | | | | those where the real identity of the |
| | | | Website's owner is not revealed. That's fine |
| for instance, should offer at least some | | | | if |
| contact information, again, the more the | | | | |
| | | | someone just wants privacy. However, |
| better. However, it is not uncommon for | | | | companies doing business with the public are |
| Websites owned and managed by | | | | |
| | | | by their very nature doing business with the |
| individuals to feature less contact | | | | public! Therefore, it really makes no |
| information. Especially if it is owned by a | | | | |
| home | | | | sense, in most cases, for someone to file a |
| | | | private registration. It can be a red flag |
| based business person; he or she might not | | | | |
| be comfortable publishing their home | | | | that makes one wonder, who really owns this |
| | | | Website, and why don't they show |
| street address or phone number on the Web, | | | | |
| for instance.In rare cases with certain types | | | | themselves?6. Dun & Bradstreet and similar |
| of replicating Websites (where many | | | | business intelligence and credit reporting |
| representatives | | | | agencies, |
| | | | |
| have the same type of Website) the user may | | | | most notably Hoovers, are also excellent |
| not have the option of providing more | | | | options if you really want to find out more |
| | | | |
| contact details. But, again, that's rare. | | | | about a company. |
| These days even most Websites aimed at | | | | |
| | | | From Microsoft to Motorola, Dun & Bradstreet |
| individual users allow the user to add and | | | | (also known as |
| update their contact information.Even a P.O. | | | | |
| Box is better than no address at all. Here | | | | D&B) is THE industry's most respected credit |
| again, whether dealing with a | | | | reporting and business intelligence |
| | | | |
| giant company or an individual, it is not | | | | source for that kind of information.Unlike |
| uncommon for companies or individuals to | | | | most of the other resources mentioned in this |
| | | | article, D&B primarily focuses |
| use P.O. Boxes to more efficiently handle | | | | |
| their mail.True, some unscrupulous operators | | | | on large companies like the Fortune 500, or |
| hide behind P.O. Boxes. However, they are a | | | | larger "small" businesses. So, many, if |
| | | | |
| much smaller percentage in comparison to | | | | not most individuals and small businesses |
| legitimate users. The main reason is | | | | will not be listed. Additionally, these |
| | | | |
| that, especially after 9/11, in order to | | | | services require a fee, which can be |
| apply for and use a P.O. Box or address | | | | substantial in order for you to pull a report |
| | | | on a |
| service the applicant has to provide various | | | | |
| kinds of information, including a real | | | | company, unless you have a subscription, |
| | | | which also involves a fair amount of cost. |
| street address, and proof of identity, | | | | |
| etc.Some Websites provide only an instant | | | | You can, however, run limited queries at no |
| chat username as a means of contact. Here | | | | cost that may be helpful to you.7. One last |
| | | | point to consider is one that most people |
| also, usually to be considered a red | | | | never give much thought to |
| flag.Because scam artists know that providing | | | | |
| a means of contact considerably increases | | | | when evaluating a Website or a company, and |
| | | | that is the payment methods they |
| the credibility of a Website, one of the | | | | |
| cleverest tactics to watch out for is a site | | | | accept. |
| that | | | | |
| | | | Limited payment method acceptance (the |
| provides a "Live Chat" or "Live Support" or | | | | inability to accept online payment) may be |
| "Live Customer Service" option, etc., but | | | | |
| | | | a red flag when dealing with all but the |
| it is never really staffed!The above tactic | | | | smallest companies or individuals.The bottom |
| is often combined with the additional tactic | | | | line is that the more payment methods a site |
| of the site claiming to | | | | is able to offer the greater |
| | | | |
| be located in a part of the World that just | | | | the convenience for the customer, which |
| happens not to be open for business | | | | equates to more sales. Therefore, no |
| | | | |
| during regular business hours in busy parts | | | | established company would want to be without |
| of the World such as the USA and | | | | the ability to accept multiple forms |
| | | | |
| Canada.I saw that tactic employed by a scam | | | | of payment, unless, of course, something is |
| Website claiming to be located in the UK. It | | | | wrong.This article is already lengthy, and |
| | | | space simply does not permit going into |
| offered, "Live Support," but noted that they | | | | detail |
| operated according to UK time, which, | | | | |
| | | | about the different types of payment |
| conveniently, meant that by the time that | | | | processors. However, in general, a Website |
| most people in the USA and Canada got | | | | |
| | | | that accepts payment via a secure merchant |
| out of work and visited their Website, it | | | | shopping cart of its own has probably |
| was too late to make contact due to it being | | | | |
| | | | passed the most rigorous application, credit |
| after hours in the UK. In reality, the | | | | check, and background verification |
| site's "Live Support" option was never | | | | |
| staffed, | | | | process. With a third party processor, such |
| | | | as 2Checkout, ClickBank, or PayPal, this |
| but most visitors never caught on due to the | | | | |
| cleverness of the scheme.3. After checking | | | | is less so, but still applicable.If a |
| the items above I usually look for an "About | | | | company or individual can't qualify for an |
| Page." | | | | account with one of the above |
| | | | |
| Here again a | | | | processors that can often be a red flag and |
| | | | a sign of either credit and/or financial |
| Website run by an individual might not have | | | | |
| one. However, the best companies, | | | | problems, or even fraudulent activity. If a |
| | | | company has had problems that could |
| whether large or small, will almost always | | | | |
| have at least one page if not more | | | | explain why they can't accept common forms |
| | | | of payment. An online Website saying |
| devoted to information about the company. | | | | |
| Sometimes information about the | | | | that it can only accept payment in the form |
| | | | of a money order, cashier's check, etc., |
| company's management is provided as | | | | |
| well.These pages also go by names such as, | | | | should probably be viewed with |
| "Company info.," "Our Company," or just, | | | | suspicion.Also, if a Website features |
| | | | StormPay as the only payment option, and not |
| "Company," etc.The About page can often tell | | | | also |
| you a lot about a company, including how long | | | | |
| they | | | | PayPal, that too can be a red flag. That's |
| | | | because StormPay has much less stringent |
| claim to have been in business. In general, | | | | |
| the longer the better!4. Does the Website | | | | application and maintenance requirements |
| feature any certifications, affiliations, or | | | | than PayPal. So, a Website who HAD an |
| rankings, backed by | | | | |
| | | | account with one of the most respected |
| reputable and unbiased 3rd party | | | | payment processing company accounts like |
| organizations such as The Better Business | | | | |
| Bureau, | | | | those described above, but then got into |
| | | | trouble and had their account banned or |
| Chamber of Commerce, Dun & Bradstreet, | | | | |
| TRUSTe, Alexa, DSA (Direct Selling | | | | terminated, may still be able to get a |
| | | | StormPay account. Certainly not all StormPay |
| Association), etc.? | | | | |
| | | | accounts fall into this category, but, |
| Though none of the above organizations | | | | again, if it's the only payment method |
| endorse or guarantee companies, | | | | |
| | | | accepted, it may be cause for |
| membership in and/or certification by a | | | | concern.Likewise, a Website offering as it's |
| respected 3rd party organization can go a | | | | only means of conducting transactions the e- |
| | | | |
| long way toward giving you greater peace of | | | | gold service, may also be cause for concern |
| mind that a company or individual is | | | | and even a red flag. e-gold is an |
| | | | |
| legitimate and trustworthy.Something that | | | | alternative service that allows companies |
| people don't commonly know about the Better | | | | and people to use gold instead of dollars |
| Business Bureau is | | | | |
| | | | as a means of conducting transactions. |
| that they can establish a file and keep | | | | Though e-gold is a legitimate service that |
| records on ANY company or individual | | | | |
| | | | continues to grow and is accepted by many |
| whether they are a member or not. The | | | | reputable merchants, it is often used by |
| difference is, however, that a company who | | | | |
| | | | scam artists for obvious reasons.GRPMAX, |
| is not a member has not agreed to the terms | | | | L.L.C. was founded by CEO Phil Covington in |
| of the Better Business Bureau, cannot | | | | 1979 and is the parent |
| | | | |
| display their logos, and has no way to | | | | company of GRPMAX specializes in developing |
| really showcase a good record if they have | | | | Uniquely Innovative |
| | | | |
| one.However, even if a company is not listed | | | | Technologies & Solutions (TM) and has |
| with the BBB, IF they've been around for a | | | | worked with clients ranging from small |
| | | | |
| while and you can verify that fact, at least | | | | business, to government, to the Fortune 500. |
| the BBB may have on file any negative | | | | Specifically, GRPMAX creates solutions |
| | | | |
| complaints that have been filed.I must | | | | that automate processes that previously |
| stress, however, this really applies only if | | | | required human staffing and interaction. |
| the company that you are doing | | | | |
| | | | Mr. Covington's interest in the home |
| business with has been around for a | | | | business field started in the 1980s and |
| considerable length of time, and you can | | | | |
| verify | | | | developed out of relationships with some of |
| | | | the industry's most talented and |
| it. That's because a common tactic of scam | | | | |
| artists is to start a new company, take | | | | highest earning individuals, during which |
| | | | time he has actively pursued the creation |
| people's money, and then simply close their | | | | |
| doors, start another new company, and | | | | of the ultimate home business passive income |
| | | | solution. |