Virtually anytime you sign on to your e-mail account, you can be bombarded with “opportunities” to start a Web-based business or buy a Web-based franchise. Some of the offers clearly are scams. A few may sound appealing and actually may be legitimate offers. However, don't buy anything yet. Don't sign contracts, don't pay money, don't commit, and don't agree to anything. Back away from the keyboard and start taking the time to figure things out. Ask yourself these four important questions:

• What kind of business do I really want to be in?

• What materials, equipment, permits, and facilities will I need to get into that business?

• Do I have the necessary skills, or do I need more training?

• Do I know how to find and hire the help I will need to set up and maintain a Web-based store?

You can create and launch a Web-based store very quickly if you are willing to pay to get help from consultants and service companies. But if you are not ready to run that store, keep it stocked, advertise it, handle the needs and complaints of customers, and manage long-range planning, you may be rushing headlong into a costly disaster. Take your time; take more-than-enough time to figure out your goals, qualifications, and needs. The world will not run out of things to sell or customers willing to buy them while you are trying to get your store organized and online.