Finding work at home jobs is easy. Anyone can plug their search query into Google, Yahoo!, or any other search engine and find thousands of results.
Finding legitimate work at home jobs is not so easy.
The first rule of finding online jobs, or work at home opportunities, is to remember that if you have to pay a fee it is not usually legitimate. While some people have found a source of income by paying for a 'splash page' and then directing others to it, it is not a legitimate source of income.
The reason why this is not a legitimate way of working from home is because your income will now thrive only if other people land on your splash page and purchase the product. When they do purchase the product, it is simply telling them how you created the splash page and how you generated traffic to it in the hopes that someone else will purchase the information. This kind of scam is nothing short of a very bad MLM (Multi Level Marketing).
Try searching for work at home forums, or discussion groups. These types of resources usually consist of members who have already found a legitimate source of online income, or even individuals that have created a legitimate work at home position.
GPT (Get Paid To) sites are a legitimate source of income, although they are not going to replace a 'real' job. GPT sites rely on networks that supply them with surveys, trial offers, and other types of offers that are then placed on a website. The networks are paid by the advertiser for certain actions; such as signing up to a website, ordering a trial product, or taking a survey.
The networks then, in turn, pay the web master for sending you to that offer and completing any requirements associated to it. Many times that only consists of a website registration, or submission of an email address. The website owner then pays you for your help in driving traffic to that offer.
While you will not become a millionaire, GPT sites are a legitimate source of online income. Many of these GPT sites do offer referral level income. If you are able to refer many users, you can end up with a nice supplemental income by doing next to nothing. Some sites pay up to 20% for referral earnings.
There is a lot to know when working sites like this, and I would advise to read up on some helpful tips that will increase your offer approval rate. Research the site itself and make sure the owner is trustworthy.
Mystery Shopping is a legitimate source of online income, although scam artists often target the industry. If you do find yourself on a mystery shop, make sure of the reimbursement and pay for that shop. Some shops will only be paying out a few dollars and nothing for reimbursement. If this was something you were going to purchase anyway, it is a great way to get paid for your purchase.
If it was not an item you already intended to purchase, it could end up costing you money rather than make you money. Some shops will reimburse you for dining out, or a hotel stay. This is also a great way to supplement your lifestyle as opposed to your income because with the current economy many families cannot afford to dine out.
You can look here for a list of legit Mystery Shopping companies online. Once you have more experience in this area there will be more shops opened up to you. Although you are not working online, you are using the internet to sign up for these shops and therefore this does qualify as online income.
Another way to earn online income is writing. While some sites are looking for specific titles, genres, and areas of interest, others will pay you for writing about anything, including personal stories.
Helium is a great place for a writer to start. The chance at upfront income in the marketplace is wonderful, and there are a variety of titles in all genres already out there.The requests and the titles already there for you will spark your imagination even at times when you feel a writer's block is hurting your creativity.
Associated Content is another great site. You can publish nearly any genre, or kind, of article here and get paid for your page views. They also offer payment up front for specific kinds of writing.
You may also look at other writing opportunities on Constant Content, Elance, or Get A Freelancer.
If you have any technological talents you could also browse the marketplace at Site Point. The site offers a wide variety of freelance opportunities to professionals seeking online work options. You can also request freelance work. There are listings for web graphics, site design, writing, and even custom scripting.
My advice on seeking work at home, or online work opportunities, is to seek out sites that have already compiled information for you. Accentuate Services has a great forum with multiple freelance writing opportunities.
WAHM (work at home mother) has some great resources including links, a message board, and more.