Starting a business from home allows you to save money on office overhead -- check with the local zoning officials to make sure your home can be used for commercial purposes.   Now that you've decided that a home-based business is for you, where do you start? There are so many opportunities for home-based businesses, how do you decide which to choose?

Your first consideration should be if the company has consumable products.   If you sell mattresses, you will need many more customers than if you sell soap or toothpaste.   Pick a company with consumable products so that your customers will be repeat customers.

Your home-based business should be something that you are passionate about and love to do. Find a company with products that you will be using. By using the products , you develop your personal belief system in the products and the company.   As your personal belief system grows, your testimonial about the products and company will be more believable.

Are the products of a good quality and affordable?   The more expensive the products are, the more your market will be limited. Choose products that offer good value and in a price range that the majority of the public can afford.  This will give you the largest possible customer base to draw from.

Consider the start up costs of your home-based business. Also look at the cost of maintaining the business.   Are there quotas to maintain?   The last thing you need is to end up with a lot of stock that you have already paid for and now have to store until it can be sold. 

Do your homework!   Before you make your final decision, make sure that you have done your investigation of the company or companies that you are considering.   You will be forming a business relationship with this company, therefore ensure that the company is solid financially and has sound business practices. If you need questions answered or need support, is a "real person" available?   There are times when searching through a list of FAQ's (frequently asked questions) just doesn't work.   Plus it's good to develop a working relationship with people in the company that you are doing business with.