Job-seekers are warned about online advertisements that promote self-employment prospects which could rake in executive incomes while requiring basic skills, may be misleading.
These opportunities often list basic typing skills, a PC and internet connection as the only pre-requisites.
Apex Pacific CEO David Lin, an Internet marketing expert, said many internet marketing companies target people who are inexperienced with internet marketing and wanted to earn a quick buck.
“There is no such thing as ‘making quick and easy money on the internet’.”
A US-based company recently posted several work-from-home ads on MyCareer.com.au, offering the opportunity to “work with Amazon.com” as an “Associate” by managing a promotional website for Amazon’s products and services.
The “Associate” position refers to a referral program that allows website owners to earn advertising fees by directing site visitors to Amazon.com. The site owner would earn fees through Amazon when visitors click on the accompanying product links or make a purchase.
A sample website showed a five-page website entitled “Tracy’s Pet Shop” which had images and videos of pets and numerous links to Amazon products relating to pet care.
Mr Lin said the sample website in its present form would not help its owner make an executive-level income.
He said driving profitable traffic to a website required specialised knowledge in search engine optimisation (SEO), pay-per-click ad management, email marketing and social media marketing.
“Even internet marketing or SEO professionals cannot guarantee to drive traffic to your website.”
“It will take at least 12 months or more for someone with relevant technical knowledge to build a website and generate some reasonable income if they are lucky. But most of the time, people give up because they don’t have such passion and willingness to do the hard work.”
An anonymous phone inquiry confirmed the company was selling ready-made business websites that promote Amazon products.
Through ambiguous wording, the ad says applicants will get a “5-day trial enrolment” after paying US$1.95, followed by a subsequent $29.95 monthly “hosting and maintenance fee”.
City News contacted Amazon and confirmed that people could join the affiliate program for free.
“If $29.95 is just for web hosting cost, you can get it from anywhere; anyone with simple web design knowledge can build a professional website that stands out,” Mr Lin said.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reviewed the ad and found no evidence to indicate that a false or misleading representation has been made.
A spokesperson of Department of Fair Trading said scams marketed as business opportunities that promised success usually only benefitted the promoters themselves and scams originated overseas could be particularly difficult to track down.
BY JOSEPHINE KWAN
