Online marketing scams and how to spot them

Top Stories

»	PLI scheme has attracted Rs 1.46 lakh crore investment, created 9.5 lakh jobs
»	Centre pays Rs 4,820 crore to 2.75 lakh farmers for pulses under MSP scheme
»	India's private sector growth surges to 4-month high in Dec: Report
»	Govt inks Rs 13,500 crore deal for 12 Sukhoi fighter jets with HAL in big boost to self-reliance
»	Over 2.2 crore women-owned MSMEs registered under govt scheme in last 4 years: Minister

Linda Saville Trempe | 12 Jul, 2011
There are multiple online scams just as there are also many reputable online marketing programs. Just as with anything we choose to become involved in, caution should be exercised. So how do we spot online scams? What are some of the factors we need to look for to help us spot online scams?

There are many online scams and also there are many legitimate online marketing programs. Then as with anything we opt to become involved in, caution should be exercised. So how do we spot online scams? What are some of the factors we should look for to help us spot online scams?

A lot of people are working in occupations that leave them wanting something more. More cash, more free time, more creative freedom and the list could go on. These people might be bored and wanting new challenges. Perhaps they're tired of their current jobs and just want change or new challenges. These people often turn to the internet in searching for new opportunities. Instead of online opportunity many of them find online scams.

Many people love the idea of owning their own business as the idea of independence and freedom is an appealing one. The harsh reality though is that in most instances people just don't have the money that's needed to start their own business. The risk factor involved in starting a business also scares many people. The idea of quitting a steady job and giving up a guaranteed income can be frightening as it's a well known fact that about 90% of all new startup businesses fail in the first year.

Online marketing advantages
Online marketing is a way to get past the starting capital and risk of starting a new business. Online marketing expenses are minimal as compared to starting a bricks and mortar business and the risks are also lessened. Many online marketing programs cost zero to very little to join. In online marketing a person gets payment according to how well they perform and their earnings are not dependent on how well the company is performing.

Many people turn to searching for online opportunities but the internet is filled with online scams. So how to spot online marketing scams becomes a critical factor when the decision has been made to seek out an income opportunity online.

It's an unfortunate reality that this is a time of business and internet fraud. Countless people pour large quantities of money into online marketing scams. It would not be plausible or possible to discuss all the ways to spot online scams but there are certainly some primary factors that would help to spot online scams. These factors won't always prove that the company being looked at is one of these online marketing scams but they're worthy of careful consideration.

Spotting the online scams
One factor that has provided many people false senses of security concerning online marketing programs is that the program is free to join. People believe that since they're investing no money that they have nothing to lose. In fact they're losing one of their most valuable commodities, the commodity of time. As with any business, bricks and mortar or online marketing, time to build the business to a level of success will be the biggest requirement. So when spending time to build an online business it's key to make sure that it's legitimate and not one of these online marketing scams.

Asking for testimonials from the company is one of the first steps that an interested person can take in an attempt to spot online scams. It's a mistake to count on the testimonials that might be posted on the company's, or one of its affiliates, website as anybody can create these. The fact that it's posted on a website doesn't make it true. Asking the company for names, addresses and phone numbers of real members that you can contact is best. These contacts can let you know how the program is working for them.

Entering the company name with the term "scam" into a search engine box is another way to spot online scams. It is a given that if the company has been around for a while that there will be complaints, yet this doesn't always indicate that the program is truly a scam as not every program is for every person. Many people fail to take responsibility for failure even if the program is legitimate and working for others. Reading reviews, talking to other members, looking at testimonials all very carefully and weighing the good against the bad is the best approach anybody can take when looking to spot online scams.

Another great indication that the company is legitimate is the ease factor in contacting support. What type of contact ability does the company offer? Do they give phone numbers, physical addresses, a contact form on the website? Before joining, or as soon as joining, a good test is to contact the company with a question or issue and see how soon they respond and to what level of satisfaction. Companies that are operating as online scams usually won't respond back if at all or they may only send out a standard auto reply.

A live support forum is a great indicator that the company is not one of these online scams. Checking out the forum as a visitor to see what kind of support is available, how quickly members receive help, looking for proof of income postings are also great ways to be sure that the company is not one of the online scams programs.

Lack of information on the company should also raise a caution flag. Online marketing companies that have been around for any length of time should have a track record. Many online scams, or new legitimate programs, attempt to attract new members with an offer of urgency so resistance to this is suggested. If the company is legitimate they'll still be around several months down the line. If the product or service that the company offers is worth buying into then there will still be plenty of income and profit to go around.

Final consideration
This brings up one last factor to look for when trying to spot online scams. What type of service or product does the company offer? A legitimate company must offer a core product or service. Joining a program that simply offers affiliate links to a replicated affiliate web page and only pays its members for signing up new members is a mistake made by many. A legitimate online marketing program will always offer a core product or service for its members to profit from.

Many people are attracted to the idea of having their own business. But the reality of all that is involved stops most people before they even begin. Online marketing is a method for many to work for themselves without facing the financial risks. Online marketing opportunities are plentiful and there are many honest online marketing companies. But there are also many dishonest online marketing scams too. So when considering an online marketing opportunity it is important to do the investigation needed before making a commitment.

(Source Articles Base)
* Linda Saville Trempe is a freelance writer.
* The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his/her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of SME Times.