What is UserTesting? Is it a Scam?
What is UserTesting?
UserTesting.com is a really cool website where you can earn money for sharing feedback on the user experience (UX) that you have while navigating a company’s website. I’ve earned money via Usertesting since signing up in November of 2022.
I learned about this opportunity from a UX professional at my current company while inquiring about career opportunities within UX Research and Design. She mentioned UserTesting.com as a way to learn more about the profession and as a way to earn money while doing so.
This platform’s goal is to connect testers/reviewers like you and me, to companies interested in receiving feedback on their websites in exchange for payment.
Submitting feedback on UserTesting is a great option if you’re interested in earning extra cash for giving your honest opinion to companies from the comfort of your home. In this post, we’ll discuss how to sign up, how to get paid, and what best practices you should be using.
So far, I’ve submitted feedback 21 times and have been paid $180. There’s another $40 pending that will be paid out at the 7-day mark (more on that later).
Check out the image below to see my current and pending payments. In a nutshell, this is a very legitimate way to earn extra money. However, this is by no means a way to get rich quick (or rich at all). It’s simply a way to share feedback and earn extra money in your spare time.
Steps to Getting Started on UserTesting
Sign up as a tester.
The first thing you’ll do is visit UserTesting.com and complete the tester registration form. You’ll provide very basic information about yourself and you’ll complete a sample test. There’s a training video that I recommend you watch so that you pass the sample test the 1st time. You are required to pass the sample test before you can be considered for additional opportunities.
While completing sessions, you’ll need to be in a quiet space with no distractions. You’ll also be speaking out loud and either your screen, face or both will be recorded. Following instructions and providing thorough and well-thought-out feedback is the key to being invited to complete more reviews.
UserTesting truly wants you to provide your honest feedback and experience so that companies can provide an exceptional user experience to a company’s current and future customers.
Once you’ve passed your sample test and it’s graded, you’ll be notified within a couple of days of when you can start earning money!
Create your account and complete your profile.
Once you’ve passed the practice test, you’ll create both your account and your username. During this step, you’ll also add your PayPal account information because this is how you’ll receive payment. If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can sign up here.
During this step, you’ll answer questions related to your demographics. Questions will range from age, employment, gender, hobbies, skills, and more. After signing up, it’s important to complete your profile right away. This allows you to get started quickly and will help companies match you with opportunities relevant to your interests and experience.
What will you need to participate?
You can submit feedback either on a cell phone, tablet, or desktop/laptop computer. You’ll also want to download a variety of browsers before you get started as well.
Some sessions will require that you use Google Chrome and others will require Microsoft Edge or Safari. The more browsers you have, the more opportunities you may qualify for. Also, reviews will either be for Mac or Windows operating systems while other tests/reviews can only be completed on a cell phone.
Feedback will also be segmented in a variety of different ways including live with a company representative, via screen recording, or via screen and face recording. Whatever the case is, you’ll know what to expect before starting and can either decline or move forward based on your comfort.
As stated earlier, you’ll share feedback verbally in all reviews which is why it’s important that you’re in a quiet location with no distractions.
Start submitting feedback.
Now that you’ve signed up, completed the practice test, and completed your profile, it’s time to begin answering screener questions. This will determine whether or not you’re a company’s target audience.
Check out the image below as an example of what screener questions look like.
Don’t be discouraged, you won’t be a fit for all opportunities. It’s impractical to fit the target demographic of every company.
The duration of reviews ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the questions and the length of your feedback. Be mindful not to ramble on and on after you’ve shared your thoughts. It’s totally ok if a session takes less time than you expect.
Quality over quantity!
Prepare to get paid.
Payments range from $4 to $60. The reviews I’ve qualified for have all paid out $10 per review.
Payments are made to your PayPal account exactly 7 days to the hour and minute after you’ve submitted your feedback. If you submit feedback on January 1st at 1:00 pm then you can expect to receive payment on January 7th at 1:00 pm. You’ll receive an email once your payment has been sent to PayPal.
How to be successful on UserTesting.
To increase your chances of receiving more opportunities, it’s important to build and maintain a reputation as a thorough reviewer. This means providing thoughtful and critical feedback within the expected timeframe, reviewing in quiet areas, following all instructions, and having fun!
Overall, I enjoy participating in these types of studies. It’s interesting, fairly simple and I’m able to share my thoughts on products that are going to be used.
In conclusion, earning money on UserTesting is certainly not a scam. It’s an interesting way to earn extra cash in your spare time.
By following the steps above, you can maximize your earning potential on the platform.
Here’s to testing!
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