How to Make Money with Paid Survey Sites

Almost anyone can learn how to get paid to take a survey. There are survey opportunities available for college students as well as retirees and stay at home parents. To begin making money through participating in paid survey sites, you'll simply need a computer, an Internet connection, and your own e-mail address.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Do your homework. Some paid survey sites are legit, but others are run by unscrupulous scam artists. To find legitimate survey opportunities, trust your instincts. Watch for sites that are professionally designed and informative. Ideally, the site should prominently feature the contact information for representatives from the survey company. A good survey site should also have a privacy policy to explain how the company will use your personal information and guard against identity theft.
2. Don't lie. When you participate in paid survey programs, you are asked to answer questions regarding your geographic location, occupation, age, hobbies, interests, and other demographic characteristics. Be honest as you’re completing the survey. The companies who sponsor paid survey opportunities are relying on you to provide accurate data.
3. Remember that paid surveys still require work. There is no such thing as free money! The amount of money you can earn from taking online surveys is going to be proportionate to the time and effort you invest in the opportunity. However, you should typically be able to earn an hourly wage that is much greater than what you'd receive working part time at the mall or your neighborhood fast food joint.
4. Look behind cash compensation. While the financial rewards of paid survey sites are obviously important, participants say they also enjoy taking surveys that offer a chance to receive free product samples. In some cases, surveys also provide the opportunity to win gift certificates and other special incentives. If these options interest you, they might be worth slightly reduced compensation.