There is no secret that making money online is real. But like any traditional business, 95% of the people fail. Reason is simple. Lack of patience and preserves. Thus there are many 'get rich quick programmes' promising huge returns at a short period of time. So how do you know the program you currently have is real or are you wasting your precious time?

Checklist No. 1: The most important thing in business is credentials. For example, Unlimited Wealth Package. Do a research on it and you will find that it lack credential. If you are a serious business owner, would you want to lose your reputation and sell junks? Or would you rather sell products that have real value and hope that people will come back to buy again from you?

True affiliate business sell products that have credentials. Its just like how mini mart sell products. They wont sell lousy products because if they do, their reputation and sales will dip. Some examples of credentials affiliate programmes are amazon.com, AdSense, Commission Junction etc.

Checklist No. 2: Can the products or services generate multiple sales? Some products can only be sold once. Then your customers won't come back to you. Look for products that can be sold again and again and again. That kind of business is real money making opportunities.

Checklist No. 3: Ask yourself this. Are your current product or programme bring true value to your paying customers? If you think just by looking at ads and getting others to look at ads to earn a few cents is true money making opportunity then you really miss the point of business.

For example, in the same amount of time, I can earn $8 for a referral I sent to an article directory and the person I referred can earn up to $150 if his article is chosen.

My point is, in business, even online, people want benefits, they want value. What is your value?

Checklist No. 4: Professionalism is important even on the online world. How is your website built. How easy can I navigate your site. How do you capture your clients' database, how and what do you do to entice your audience to buy. All these has to be taken into consideration. If you think just by putting up links and hoping people click and you get loads of cash, you are in for a real disappointment.

Checklist No. 5: Never ever join something you have little or no idea about. Warren Buffett's famous investment rules are these. 1, Do not lose money, 2, do not forget rule no.1. And the principle is based on the fact that you cannot and must not invest in something you have no knowledge about.

Build a business around what you know. For me, I know how to write, and I know how to source for information. Thus I can and will only do businesses around information/ or education related products.

Lastly, this is the most obvious but also the most overlooked in both online and offline business. Niche. Specialize in an area and build your business around your specialty. If you are recognize as a 'guru', your business will eventually soar.