Almost half of the nation's business owners work from home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2002. Moreover, internet franchises offer not only the benefits of working from home, but also the opportunity to communicate with the click of a mouse.

There are many franchisors offering the benefit of working from a home-based office. With these business franchises, the franchisee has all the perks of a home-based income as well as the personal satisfaction of meeting with clients face-to-face or even traveling around the world!

For those looking for a franchise business completely managed in-home, there are several prospects that are strictly work from home Internet franchises. With franchises like these, the franchisee is not required to conduct any business apart from the comfort of a home office. Whichever you prefer, there are several franchise opportunities available to the aspiring entrepreneur. Here are the top 10 work from home internet franchises:

#1 Internet Marketing

This rapidly growing industry is quickly dominating the marketplace. Because online purchases are soaring and continuing to increase each year, businesses are looking for internet marketing teams to help get their websites noticed.

Furthermore, companies like AIS Media are offering franchisees the chance to profit from a growing e-commerce industry. AIS Media specializes in developing interactive websites for small businesses looking to market their products and services online. As a business franchise, you supply website design or redesign, email marketing, search engine optimization, web hosting, domain registration, business email, etc. Moreover, no technical background is necessary. Since most internet marketing franchise businesses are willing to provide all necessary training, a franchise opportunity in the e-commerce business is attainable to anyone with the motivation and ambition it takes to run a successful business.

#2 Advertising Agencies

Franchisors such as Advertising Consultants are using the internet to expand their agencies by allowing franchisees to work from home-based offices. The benefit to this type of franchise business is that it does not incur any costs associated with opening and operating new agency locations. Instead, agencies like Advertising Consultants are able to set up new units across the country or around the globe by allowing franchisees to work from home. For instance, New York City is home to several of the top advertising agencies in the business, which means that a person in Hot Springs, Arkansas who is serious about working for an agency must be prepared for a move to the Big Apple. With a work from home internet franchise, all you need is a computer, an internet connection and the training, which will most likely be provided.

#3 Billing Systems

The healthcare industry is flourishing in many respects. But, you do not have to become a doctor or registered nurse to take advantage of this increasingly profitable industry. In fact, physicians and their staff members are overwhelmed with the paperwork it takes to operate even a small practice. Many are outsourcing this paperwork to medical billing specialists. In many cases, by operating a medical billing business franchise, you are afforded the sophisticated software programs, training, technical support and even marketing materials essential to launching a lucrative and successful home-based business.

#4 Internet Research

The research field may not seem like the most exciting industry available to franchisees; however, it is among the most profitable. In marketing and public relations, for example, research is a dominant facet that most marketing and public relations practitioners are weary of building their career upon. Of course, once they discover the potential financial benefits, they are more inclined to explore it. The same is true for internet research. Such research companies gather contact information about prospective clients for businesses. These companies are willing to pay for strategic research because their sales will increase quickly and significantly. Furthermore, human resource departments are using internet research to increase efficiency in the hiring process. Not only are they able to collect contact information, some research tools even help to distinguish passive candidates, those just browsing, from those actively seeking employment. Most often, franchisees have the option of working with clients currently belonging to the franchisor as well as any new clients they acquire.

#5 ATM Franchise

Few people keep large amount of cash in their wallets or purses. It is far safer to carry a bank card and get cash as needed, usually from an ATM. As ATM locations appear through the nation and the world, entrepreneurs are taking advantage of this franchise opportunity. Moreover, becoming a business franchise in this exciting industry does not require related experience. ACFN ATM, for instance, provides all necessary training and even qualified locations for your ATM franchise business. Currently, ACFN ATM is the only ATM franchise business in North America. With any growing business opportunity, those who get involved early gain access to untapped markets; thus, they are ahead of the competition and have a chance to earn more wealth.

#6 Promotional Products

Have you ever looked in your kitchen cupboard and noticed that your most luxurious coffee mug came from your workplace? How about your favorite ink pen? Products such as these are "freebies" for employees, customers and even potential clients for big businesses. What many people do not consider is that these products are also advertising a particular organization. This innovative form of advertising has become a lucrative franchise opportunity for those seeking an internet franchise allowing them to work from home. While operating a business franchise from a promotional products company such as Adventures in Advertising (AIA), you have the opportunity to work with nonprofits, small businesses, schools, hospitals, human resource departments, etc. And, since the goods they purchase will be given away, repeat business is inevitable. Furthermore, franchisors like AIA offer training programs to prepare its franchisees for a successful run in the promotional products industry.

#7 Financial Companies

This franchise opportunity is ideal for someone with an accounting or financial background, or someone with no such background at all! In either situation, the financial industry continues to expand, allowing entrepreneurs to venture into this industry with a business franchise. Whether franchising a global brokerage or leasing company, franchisors are prepared to educate and equip their franchisees with all the training and support tools necessary to manage a winning franchise business. For potential entrepreneurs with an interest in finance, there is a franchise opportunity that allows you to make this dream a lucrative reality while still working from your home office.

#8 Outdoor advertising

There are many internet franchises focused on profiting from increasing online sales. A couple of the business franchises mentioned so far target this ever-increasing market. Still, traditional advertising media are not obsolete by any means. In fact, outdoor advertising is financially rewarding and still allows you to work from your home office. With no employees to hire or location to manage, you count more of your earnings as profit. Furthermore, training and support are provided by the franchisee. After all, your accomplishments contribute to your franchisor's success.

#9 Travel Agencies

While most travel agencies require franchisees to operate units outside the home office, there are some who offer franchises to professionals looking to work from home. This type of business franchise relies mostly on communication via the internet and also over the phone. Moreover, many travel agency franchisors provide discounted travel to those who run one or more of their franchise businesses. If you are interested in the flexibility of a home-based income and traveling the world, this franchise opportunity is ideal.

#10 Healthcare Staffing

Over the past several years, shortages in the nursing industry have only continued to increase. Nursing schools are flocked with students hoping to obtain a position in this money-making field. Fortunately, entrepreneurs stand to gain monetarily from the nursing shortage by operating a medical staffing business franchise. Staffing companies are responsible for bridging the gap between nurses looking for employment and hospitals in need of nurses. Traditional staffing companies have nurses who are basically on call for hospitals in their areas that need nurses at the last minute. For example, a hospital may contact a staffing company because several nurses are unable to work during a single shift, leaving the remaining hospital staff in a dire situation. A member of the staffing company then goes through a list of nurses until the number of scheduled nurses is back up to par.

With many work from home medical recruiting agencies, this model is taken to the next level. With this type of business franchise, you act as an agent for the healthcare practitioner. Furthermore, you also have the chance to build a team of healthcare recruiters working with you to increase the number of clients. How much work you undertake depends on the amount of time you wish to work in addition to the amount of money you would like to make.

With each franchise opportunity, you have the benefits of working from home, including flexible hours, lower cost investments, few or no employees, etc. Most importantly, experience is not required to participate in any of these business franchises. All you need is the self-discipline and motivation it takes to work from home successfully and the thorough research it takes to determine which internet franchise is meant for you.