Work at Home Job or Work at Home Business - Which is Best for You?

You want to work from home, but will you choose a work at home job or work at home business? What you decide to do can be based on several factors, including how much you need or want to earn, how much time you can commit, and your preferred style of work, as well as the type of person you are.

A Work at Home Job If you prefer more structure and accountability and don't mind modest wages, a job you can do from home might be for you. As more and more companies look to slash their costs of doing business, many well-known companies are beginning to shift from outsourcing jobs to overseas workers and instead want to hire more domestic employees who can work from home. These jobs should not require fees to start if they are legitimate employers looking to hire you; you can begin to earn money almost right away. You might enlist the help of a work at home job directory to help filter out scams or simply scan job listings for work at home positions. Examples of work at home jobs include writing, typing, data entry, and customer service jobs.

A Work at Home Business Home businesses usually have some start up costs and require time before they begin to produce much income. However they can give much bigger returns in the long run once you take the risk. For beginners, affiliate marketing is what many recommend doing first. If you already have a website, you can apply to become an affiliate of a well-known company that you already respect. Simply visit the websites of your favorite companies and see if they have a link for people interested in becoming one of their affiliates. If you are approved and become an affiliate, you receive a small commission for each click or sale that comes from your site. This is a relatively low-risk kind of affiliate program.

On the other hand, if you want to start a business as part of affiliate program that uses more of a multi-level marketing approach, you will need to read a lot of reviews of different programs. Before you join one, make sure you understand exactly what the program involves. You need to know what it will all cost to get started, from supplies and equipment to training materials you purchase from the program. You also must find out who will pay you and whether it will be based on commission or some other arrangement. And of course you must be clear on what you will be doing, to get a detailed picture of the duties and activities you will be performing to earn your money. The best programs will answer your questions in a straightforward manner. Scams or shadier programs advertise themselves as more than they are or turn out to be different than you are first led to believe. Once you have verified that a program is legitimate, you can invest in your start up materials and begin the steps entailed in starting your business. Having your own business and working from home requires you to be able to work independently and stay motivated. If you are organized and able to plan well, and believe you are better able to flourish when freed from the constraints of others, starting a business may suit you and reward your leadership abilities.

Some people take a third option when considering a work at home job or work at home business. They choose both. The job gives them a steady income while they build up their new home-based business. Once you know your options and capabilities, it all comes down to deciding what work at home option will work best for you.