The rise of the internet has seen an increasing number of businesses establishing themselves online, and with this, the number of online franchise opportunities have also increased, because they offer a lot more flexibility than the usual franchise opportunities. However, online franchises are quite similar to the more traditional kind of franchising programs, but there are a few slight differences between both traditional and online franchising programs. Online franchises are just like their traditional counterparts, and have the role of marketing and selling different items and services on behalf of a real life company over the internet, with several established ones now looking forward to franchising themselves online to expand their businesses. If you are interested in applying for an online franchise program of a company which is selling products or services related to your field, than there is a high chance that you will find such an opportunity very easily. Companies involved in multimedia, marketing, adult, tutoring and travel industries are the most common. Online franchising has its own share of advantages over traditional franchises. The biggest benefit of establishing an online based franchise is that now you would be operating from the comfort of your own home. You can easily balance your work life with your family or home life, while operating at a minimal operating cost that you would have incurred otherwise operating a traditional franchise. Establishing a traditional franchise requires you to invest money in purchasing land and space for operating your franchise. The costs of buying land or renting a space for operating your business can be quite expensive, and are a predominant cost factor in your income statement. Therefore, online franchising helps you save a lot in fixed and other overhead costs. For establishing an online franchise, you would be required to have a high speed internet connection together with functioning computers. Also, certain companies which franchise their business also rent server space, which saves you on additional costs of buying and maintaining your own servers for operations. You may also be required to purchase some franchise program related software, which can be a bit expensive. Establishing and availing an online franchise opportunity would not at all be a difficult task for you since there are several great programs available by different established companies. You will be able to benefit from different advantages that are associated with online franchises. All you would need to do is to apply with the company, prove your credentials, set up the environment at your home and begin operations.