One money-earning opportunity out there that you may not be aware of is website usability testing.
The concept here is the same as that of getting paid to test products at home. In short, this is exploring a website and voicing your thoughts into a microphone as you navigate. Many companies — particularly start-up companies — are willing to pay you to do this because they want to know what real people think of their sites so they can make any necessary changes for the best user experience possible.
Try Swagbucks, the famous rewards program that pays you for watching videos, taking surveys, shopping and more.
Thanks to this need, there are lots of different websites cropping up that act as the middle man. They provide the software to make the user test possible and take care of recruiting the testers. The companies who want their sites tested pay for the service. Then, the user testing sites take that money, keep part of it for themselves, and send the rest to the testers.
There are many different websites out there that will allow regular people like you and I to sign up to test out websites. For the most part, you will not need any special skills, although, some of these sites may require that you take a test first to see how well you do.
The only equipment you need is an up to date computer with a microphone and DSL or high-speed internet connection. Tests generally do not take longer than 20 minutes to conduct.
If this sounds interesting to you, here are some places to get started:
1. Try My UI
Try My UI pays $10 per test, and you will receive this money through PayPal roughly 72 hours after your test has been completed and accepted.
To sign up, you must do a sample usability video and also provide a sample usability written summary. When Try My UI has tests available for you to take, they will notify you via email.
If you have to only sign up for one paid survey site to make money with, I recommend Ipsos-iSay. Ipsos is the most fun and well-paying panel. Give it a try to see how you like it. It is free anyway!
2. User Testing
Payment for website usability testing here is $10 per test. This payment is made via PayPal about seven days after the test is completed.
Your likelihood of being selected for a test depends on your demographic and your ability to provide good feedback. User Testing makes it clear on their site that they do have an over supply of user testers, so there will be a lot of competition for the tests that are available to do.
3. User Feel
User Feel pays $10 a test via PayPal for completed tests on a weekly basis. Testers who consistently do a good job will be invited to take more tests and may be able to earn an extra $100 to $200 per month supplemental income.
A sample test is required to sign up, and it could take up to two months before the sample is reviewed depending on how many other people have applied and are waiting to hear back. If they are not accepting testers at any given time, you can place yourself on their waiting list by entering your email.
4. What Users Do
This company will pay you $8 per test completed. They are based out of the UK but hire people from other parts of the world, including the U.S., to do tests although it is necessary that you speak English. What Users Do pays out monthly via PayPal or UK bank account if you have one.
Takeaway
Making the most of website usability testing means signing up with as many sites as possible. You can’t realistically make a living doing this type of work, but the amount of extra cash you can earn is substantial, provided you are getting regular email invitations to participate in tests.
Your chances of getting lots of invites are greater if you always provide your honest opinion during tests, provide lots of detail in your reviews, and follow the instructions perfectly. And getting more invites simply means you will be able to make more money from get paid to test websites programs.