With the economy the way it is and with job security at an all time low, many people are looking for home business opportunities. However, many times it can be difficult to find the right fit and to know what to look for. There are many choices available as well as scams. So how do you avoid making a mistake and how do you choose the one that will be the right fit for you and that will be fun and profitable at the same time? Here are seven mistakes many people make and how you can avoid them.

1. Choosing a home business opportunity based solely on the amount of money it costs to get started. This can be a big mistake and one that many people make. Although the starting cost is important, it should not be the only deciding factor. Just because a business starts only a small amount to start does not mean it is the best. There are always ongoing costs, as well as marketing costs and in many direct sales or MLM companies there are autoships or quarterly or annual sales requirements. You need to make sure to take all of these into account when considering a particular home business. Also just because it is cheap does not mean it is a good opportunity or the right fit for you personally.

2. Getting started with the first home business you are offered or that you find out about. In any cases, it is a wise idea to learn about many opportunities before you choose one. It is best to take your time and find the right one first instead of bouncing around from business to business.

3. Assuming that because the opportunity has already been around for a while or because there are lots of others involved that you can't be successful at it. Very few companies have reached complete saturation. If you are determined to make your home business a success then you can do it no matter who else and how many others are involved.

4. Getting involved just because some promised you a lot of money, or just because it is the new thing on the block. New home business opportunities are created every day and many of them do not last very long. You are better off choosing something that has been around for a while and has a proven track record.

5. Signing up just because your best friend or your sister or someone else close to you decides to do that particular home business. While I believe you should support your family members and friends in their business endeavors, I do believe that if you decide to partner with one of them, then you should do it because you believe it is the best for you and not just because someone close to you is involved.

6. Lacking a long-term vision. How does the home business opportunity you are choosing fit in with your long-term goals and plans? Will it allow you to do what you want to do with your life? Is it something in which you can and will be proud to be involved with twenty years from now? You will be much more successful if you chose your opportunity based on where you want to be long-term.

7. Loosing your sense of judgment and common sense. This is where many people end up falling to home business scams. If the opportunity seems to good to be true, then it probably is. You can't get something for nothing or very little. Make sure that when you choose a home business that you can contact the company if you need to and that you are able to reach a live person. It is also good to make sure that you can find a physical address. A lack of these two things, is a sign of many scams.

In summary, if you are smart and do your due diligence then you will be able to find the right home business that is a fit for you and one with which you will spend many years and experience much success and fun.