'I've come to realize that everything's a scam, not just envelope stuffing, typing jobs and craft and assembly jobs, but also MLM and affiliate programs. They are all scams! I have tried them all and never made any money.'

What's even worse was that there were several people who wholeheartedly agreed.

The Internet, unfortunately, is rife with scams and shams about working from home. There is a huge market of people searching for a work-at-home career -- and plenty of others willing to take advantage of it in whatever way they can. It's no surprise, then, that so many people have been 'burned' by so-called 'opportunities'.

But let me say this: An opportunity is not necessarily a scam just because someone didn't make money.

Yes, you read that right. You see, there's no such thing as a 'one-opportunity-fits-all'. I know that many of opportunities you see online try to make it seem like 'anyone' can succeed... but it's just hype.

That was a mistake. What I came to realize was simply that if I wasn't willing to make these small investments -- well, I just wasn't in position to be starting a business. Sometimes truth hurts!

I came to accept that I could learn from experiences of successful online entrepreneurs. From them, I learned that it just doesn't help to try to 'cut corners' on certain things. So what are some of things you need to get started on 'net?

= Your own domain. At GoDaddy, http://www.godaddy.com/ , you can register a domain for a mere $8.95/year. There is NO excuse not to have your own domain at these rock- bottom prices! Your own domain will help your business build credibility -- plus, it's easier to remember a simple www.yourcompany.com then something like, www.afreedomain.com/userpages/~yourname/homedir !

= Web hosting. Don't skimp on it, but don't get a whole bunch of features you don't need, either. Be willing to spend money for a reliable web host with a great uptime record, one that can offer you excellent customer service. Start your research at TopHosts, http://www.tophosts.com/ .

= Website stats. Knowing who your visitors are, how they're finding your site, which pages they're viewing most, etc. will help you to refine your site and your marketing efforts. Check with your web host first to see what type of website stats or demographics they offer with your hosting package. Other options include AXS Visitor Tracking System, http://www.xav.com/scripts/axs/ , and WebLog, http://awsd.com/scripts/weblog/index.shtml Both are currently free.