Written By: Gouri Ghosh

Franchises are on a growth path in India. Currently, a lot of people have realized their entrepreneurial dreams by opening their franchises because they get support from existing brands. That's why the trend for franchising is at its highest point. People think it is a much safer choice.

However, there are always some problems when one decides to open a franchise. 

When you start searching online for franchise brands in India, you may get different kinds of sources online.  But not all information is true. Sometimes it would be the wrong websites. That may waste your time and effort

This guide will help you because you'll learn how to find a franchise for your business, how to determine whether sources are real or not, where you should be searching, and much more.

Why It Is Important to Find the Source

Before getting into any franchising process, selecting a proper source is one of the most crucial things to consider. While most people tend to choose based on their brands, the key difference lies in their sources. Choosing an incorrect source may result in misunderstandings and even losses for potential franchisees.

These are the reasons:

• Easy access to direct communication channels: This allows the potential franchisee to contact and communicate directly with the brand itself.
• Better chances for approvals: Most companies like to deal directly with legitimate applicants rather than unknown sources.

In most cases, depending on unofficial sources means dealing with information that might have been distorted or altered. At times, the source may withhold certain information while exaggerating others, such as their return on investment.

How to find right franchise in the franchising sites of companies?

Primary Source: The Official Website of the Brand

The first and safest step to be taken in search of a reliable franchise would always be the use of a brand’s official site.

To locate it, one should do the following:

• Firstly, you may use Google and type “official website” with the brand’s name.
• As an alternative, you may try using the keywords, such as “India,” alongside the name of the brand.

Once you get there, you will need to identify the required page on the site. 

Usually, the details regarding franchise opportunities are available at the following addresses:

• “Franchise”: This page offers all the necessary information about a brand’s business.
• “Partner with Us”: On this page, businesses invite new partners.
• “Business Opportunities”: You will also have to look here for detailed information about franchises.

All these pages offer comprehensive information.

Another helpful hint for finding information on the website is to 

• consider not just its home page but the entire website.
• You should pay attention to the footer part of a webpage.

This stage is critical since the form being completed at the official site will ensure that your inquiry reaches the company. It will make the process reliable for you and enable you to communicate directly with the right team.

Google Search Techniques to Locate an Official Franchise Website

Google is an incredible search engine, but its efficiency depends on how it is used. A generic search may land you on the desired page; however, there is always a chance of stumbling upon incorrect websites.

Some techniques that you could use are:

• Perform a Google search using the brand name followed by "franchise official website" to land on the right page.
• Use Google search using the brand name followed by "franchise apply India" to locate pages for application purposes.

Here are some things that should be kept in mind while doing any search and avoid falling prey to mistakes:

• Advertisements tend to come up first and they are not always authentic websites.
• Websites with similar-sounding domain names are used to confuse people.

There might be various copies and duplicates of the same website created through different sources.

Here are some important ways:

• Make sure the domain name is clearly shown with its brand logo
• There would be a secure connection like HTTPS.
• The website's design looks like a professional one

Checklist to Verify an Official Franchise Website

Using Government and Business Platforms

To be completely sure before making any decisions, it is important to go through various government and business platforms and verify the existence of the company. It gives you an additional level of protection and reduces the probability of dealing with fraudsters or closed companies.

Here are some helpful websites you may refer to:

• MCA helps to ensure whether the company is legally registered.
• Trademark registration websites tell whether a particular brand name belongs to someone.
• Trade association directories such as FICCI and CII provide information about legitimate and trustworthy companies.

The reasons why these steps help include the following:

• These platforms ensure that the company you are interested in exists, is registered, and operates now.
• You will have increased certainty regarding your further actions.
• The chances of coming across a fraudster or a defunct company are minimized

Such verification measures prove to be particularly helpful while looking for franchise opportunities in India.

Verify Social Media Channels 

All authentic companies have their own social media. You can easily understand the franchise brand without dealing with it.

Here are some online platforms you can check:

• LinkedIn is a very trusted and official platform, you can verify the company updates through this site.
• Instagram allows you to know about the activities, promotions, and contacts of the business.
• Facebook will contain all kinds of details related to a particular business.

Some of the aspects that you need to look for on social media include the following:

• If the account is verified, that means it is a genuine brand
• Branding elements like the logo will give assurance of the authenticity.

In most cases, franchises are directed to their websites via social media platforms

Go to Physical Locations & Inquire in Person

Physical verification one of the best ways of doing things. Things that are verified physically tend to make people more confident in what they have been told.

The following should be done:

• Visit a physical location to verify the way the company conducts itself in actual practice.
• Talk to the store manager to get some background information about the company and its processes.
• Get information on the contacts of the franchising company to communicate directly with them.
• Request some brochures and visiting cards for future use.

It helps to know for sure that the company actually exists and is available for franchise.

Join Online Franchise Exhibitions and Events

Another option that is equally effective in contacting the companies is joining exhibitions and events. In fact, there you will have an opportunity to communicate with various firms in one place.

The advantages of this option are as follows:

• Possibility of direct communication: The contact allows you to receive all the necessary information from the source.
• Opportunity to study the brand:  you will have a deeper understanding of the company's activity.
• Ability to clarify questions: You will receive answers to your questions, which is essential before taking a step.
• Variety of offers: It will be convenient for you to compare several companies within one event.
• Insight into the market: You will learn about existing tendencies and popular areas among franchises.

In present time, many events are held online:

• Availability: You do not have to travel and spend extra time.
• Easily registering: You only need to sign up on their site.

It will become much easier for you to contact the right people and get information.

Utilize Reliable Franchise Portals

A search for franchises on various online sources can be quite tedious. Furthermore, the issue might get complicated if the very same brand appears in several websites  offers varying details.

This is where curated portals can come into play.

• Gather authentic franchises: Only verified and legitimate brands are provided.
• Exclude unreliable sources: Franchises that are misleading or suspicious are filtered out.
• Offer systematic data: Information regarding investment and requirements is clearly presented.

Another crucial distinction one should know is between types of portals:

• Verifiable portals stress genuineness: Their main aim is to offer reliable information.
• Listed portals stress quantity: In general, they offer too much, but lack reliability.

FranchiseBazar is help you to find the right franchise with confidence.

Types of Franchise Information Sources

Red Flags to Look Out For During Searches

Not all websites or contacts you come across will prove themselves to be legitimate, it is important to be aware of the red flags early on to prevent any possible risks.

Some red flags you should look out for are the following:

• Website that demands payments without verification: Any authentic business would never demand payment without any form of verification process.
• Not having registered company information: The absence of information regarding the business can be a reason to doubt the authenticity of the website.
• Use of general email addresses: Any contact made through Yahoo or Gmail accounts can also be considered illegitimate.
• Claims of assured high profitability: Promises of extremely profitable results can prove to be too good to be true.
• Lack of physical office or presence of the brand: Lack of proof of the business's existence adds to the risk factor.

Risk vs Safety Indicators

Steps to Find an Official Franchise Website

This is a straightforward process that involves:

• Step 1:  Start by searching the brand name along with “official website” on Google to find the correct site.
• Step 2: Make sure that the domain used by the official website of the brand is accurate.
• Step 3: Search the website to find the franchise section
• Step 4: Then go through the social media to make sure the brand is real
• Step 5: Take time to check the brands and franchise details, then send the application form for the franchise

By using the above guidelines, it will be possible to ensure that the franchise site that you use is real.

In case you wish to know the process of finding a franchise for your company, then the above guidelines can assist you.

Conclusion

Identifying the official website of the franchise becomes the first and foremost task while beginning your franchising quest. That will not fall into any trap, even if it will protect you and give correct information about the brand. If you invest some extra time to verify the brand, it will help you to take correct decision.

It is always better to go by an organized procedure rather than getting carried away by any unknown source. The process of searching the official website, comparing facts from other trustworthy sources, and finally proceeding towards the right destination is always recommended.

FAQ

Is it possible to apply directly without any consultants?

Yes. This is often done directly through the official website of the company.

How can one safely get in touch with a company?

One should use the official website’s form.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.