It’s impossible these days to ignore the growing unemployment rate. Those who are lucky enough to hold down a job are realising that pay increase is not keeping up with inflation. This means they either have to change their lifestyle or find another source of income. Many turns to the internet as an alternative method of making money. While the Internet is a virtual treasure trove of potential wealth, it is easy to fall into a perpetual cycle of trying every “get rich quick” scheme that falls into your lap. Although they are tempting it’s important to recognise them for what they are, another person’s attempt to make money by using you. Making money online is similar to running a business and should be taken just as seriously.

Lions, Tigers, and Scams
The Internet is a jungle packed with predators, hungry for your wallet. The first thing you should be aware of is how to spot a scam. Scams can take many forms on the internet. They can be viruses, email spam lists, or just a product that fails to deliver what it promises. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Being able to spot an online scam takes patience and practice. If you see a website with a lot of flashy content trying to convince you to buy a product, this is usually a scam. It’s best to take your time, do your research and situate yourself for success.

Doing Your Research
While there are plenty of predators on the internet, there is a lot of legitimacy as well. However, it can be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate program and a scam. It’s important to do your research for every program you consider joining. By reading other people’s reviews of the program you intend to use, you will be able to make a better decision on whether it is safe. If you are unable to find any reviews of the site you are considering joining, find a message board and ask some of the members. You will usually get honest responses. Be wary of any responses that include a link to the site you are considering joining though, they might just want a commission for referring you.

Read the Fine Print
It’s always important to know what you are signing up for before you do it. Some sites might seem legitimate at first glance but after looking deeply into their terms of service you might realise that a paycheck will never come. Clever and malicious site owners will refuse to pay you unless you reach an unobtainable payout amount. This can be as much as ten thousand dollars. Most people will never reach such a high amount earned so they don’t have to worry about paying them. Usually, you can weed these sites out by doing research and finding reviews, but it is always good to read the fine print as well.
Determine Hourly Pay
Some programs might seem like a good idea when you first read about them, but might only earn you pennies per hour. It’s best to take a few minutes and do some simple math to find out your hourly wage. If you aren’t earning around eight dollars per hour then you should probably keep looking until you find something a little better. Remember, you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck. Don’t always target the programs that seem the easiest.

Nothing Comes Easy
As with any business, you get what you put into it. You reap what you sow. Whether you are building a website, creating an online product, or running a marketing campaign, ensure you put your full effort into it. Continue to learn your craft and improve upon it. You can be certain that your competition is getting better, you should be too.
Making money online is a reality for millions of people. How much money you are able to make will depend on your dedication. Will you dive headfirst into the first program, or will you wade cautiously in until you are familiar with your surroundings? The internet is a fruitful and dangerous place at the same time. Be careful to think before you bite.