It pays to do some research in order to find a good business opportunity. Unfortunately it seems to be the norm that when people 'arrive' on the internet, they become obsessed with joining every program that is proposed to them at the drop of a hat.

Each one sounds like a good business opportunity, but is it really?  People who don't yet know any better, believe the claims that people can make substantial profit in spite of having no experience in the industry, and/or by doing little or nothing.

For the most part that is not true. While 'passive' may sound like no work, it does not mean you don't have to set it up and get it running first.  Here, running means having sufficient ongoing marketing, advertising, search engine optimization strategies, and technical support and maintenance. 

The only thing actually 'passive', is a website business is not like having a store or a job, where you have to be present 8 hours a day, 6-7 days a week.

Another popular description of a good business opportunity online is that it runs on 'autopilot'.  Sure the website does 'run' automatically, but nobody ever made any money just by having a website running.  Again, it is all about marketing, if you hope to generate an income from an internet business. 

With most affiliate business opportunities, they are usually relatively inexpensive to start and have no long-term contracts.  So, sometimes the best way to really see what the business is about, is to just join and see what you get. Make use of all of the resources and training that may be available with membership. Get as much for your money as you can.

Even if it doesn't turn out to be a good business opportunity for you in the long run, you will have learned something, for better or worse; but again, that is only as long as you are not obligated by signing a contract or investing a substantial amount of money to start out.  

It's okay to gamble a little, but make it an educated risk, and never gamble with more than you can afford to lose.  Before you decide to start a business opportunity, do due diligence - check up on the company - the principals, and the reputation, and read the fine print.