Making any sort of career change is scary, but when the economy is in bad shape, it can be terrifying. How can you be sure that you will be successful when so many people are out of work? The truth is that you can’t, but this is true anytime you start a business. However, starting a new home based business doesn’t carry anywhere near the risk that opening a traditional business does. In addition, when your home based business is Internet based, you will have few expenses, yet the potential is still great for success.Even in a bad economy, people have needs. Your job is to find a need and fill it. While this is true anytime you start a business, it is even more crucial when the economy is in such bad shape. Luxury items will not sell as well because people all over the world are tightening their spending belts. Therefore, it is important to ascertain what people are spending money on so that you can fill a present need.This may not be easy. It will take some research and it will take some time, but the rewards are phenomenal. For example, many people who have lost their jobs are turning to the Internet to earn a living. They are building websites in the hopes that they can earn money at home while they are looking for a job. These people may need writers, graphic designers, virtual assistants, and others who can help them launch their business.If you are considering launching a business that provides products instead of services, again, discover what people need. Do some market research online to find out what others are selling and then see if you can provide the same types of products. Perhaps you can offer more colors, more sizes, or cheaper shipping options. People are looking for bargains and if you can provide the types of products they are already buying and provide them at a discount, you will have a built-in customer base.While it may not be advisable to actually quit a job and start a new business in a bad economy, this is something you can do while you are employed. If you have lost your job, it is something you can do while you are looking for work. The potential is there to earn a lucrative living online, but just like a brick and mortar business has competition, so do the online businesses. Your job is to find out how to do what others are already doing and do it better, cheaper, or faster.