Make Money by Taking Online Surveys

If you have a computer and like giving your opinion, you might want to try doing online surveys fromhome to make a little extra cash while trying new products. There are hundreds of companies thatenlist research panels of average consumers to complete surveys online.

You can't expect to earn a full salary from taking online surveys, but it is possible to earn $50 to$100 a month in cash and free products if you take several short surveys, according to experiencedonline survey site members. The key is to sign up with several survey sites (which are all free to join)to increase your chances of being selected for the surveys.

When you join a survey site, you provide your personal and demographic information, which crediblesurvey sites will not disclose to any other party. That information is used to select participants forsurveys on specific products and services. When you are selected as a panel member, you willreceive an e-mail inviting you to take a short screening survey to determine if you fit the profile forthat particular survey. If you qualify, you will be asked to take a longer online survey in exchange forsome sort of compensation.

Compensation varies by company and by survey. You may receive a few dollars, or be sent freeproducts in exchange for trying them and providing feedback about them. Most surveys "pay" byentering participants into a sweepstakes.

I have taken about a dozen surveys myself with the two online survey sites I joined. I was paid forthree of the surveys ($15, $6 and $1 each) and was entered into a sweepstakes for the other ninesurveys (which I did not win). However, I found it easy and enjoyable to answer the questions.

Experienced survey site members like Christa Alewine of Georgia also enjoy getting all kinds of freeproducts, from graham crackers to dog food. Her children look forward to getting products in themail to test at home and have even participated in some surveys for children (with parentalapproval).

The largest cash survey payment Christareceived was $50, and that survey took about30 minutes to complete. Her usual cash payoutis generally $1 to $3 for surveys that takeanywhere from 5 to 45 minutes. She estimatesthat she is paid cash for 10 percent of thesurveys she completes and receives freeproducts for many of them.

Christa began by earning money playing onlinegames for 30 minutes a day and now earnsmore by spending that 30 minutes completing surveys. She gets to keep the products she tests, andenjoys getting a $20 Amazon gift card, gift cards to restaurants or a few dollars in her Paypalaccount.

Make Sure the Site Is Legit

Experienced online survey members recommend joining several survey sites (at least five to 10) ifyou want to take daily surveys. Register with an e-mail address that you check frequently so you canrespond quickly and, of course, be honest and accurate in filling out the survey. Don't getdiscouraged if you are not selected as a survey participant after your first few screening surveys, asit may take you a while to see which survey companies' needs match your demographics.