by Alison Sloan

Created on: June 11, 2009

Online Survey Taking is often described as an easy and fun way to supplement your income. Is that description really true?

Google online surveys and you can choose from vast array of survey sites and market research companies, which offer cash incentives for your opinion. Most are legitimate and do pay you for completing the surveys they provide, but which ones do you join and how do you avoid the less reputable companies.

Market research companies compile and distribute surveys to produce statistics about products and public opinions.

Survey sites hold lists of market research companies for individuals to join.

For eight months, I have participated in the Online Survey Taking phenomenon, spending hours searching the Internet for information and advice and registered with numerous online research companies. Although it is a genuine way to supplement your income, let me give you a realistic account of what this involves.

Filling in surveys day in day out, requires commitment and perseverance. While some of the surveys can be interesting, quick and easy to complete, others can be tedious, repetitive and long-winded.

If you are a member of numerous companies, (and this is necessary if you want to make a reasonable income for your time), your inbox will usually bulge with invitations but there's no guarantee you will meet the criteria for the surveys that they send you. Although you completed all their personal profile questions when registering you details and you've just spent five minutes filled in the survey screener questions, you may find that you don't qualify. Most days you will find that you are selected for very few and payment is only made for those you complete.

The financial incentives offered for completing surveys, can start from as little as 10p (15 cents) upwards, depending on the research company and length of survey, although most are usually in the 50p to 1GBP bracket. Bigger incentives come from more specialised surveys that require particular target groups i.e. health professionals. Product testing and larger multi part campaigns, requiring more time and commitment from the participant, also tend to pay well. Focus group involvement is probably the most profitable.

Some research companies offer a points system. These points are accumulated and can be exchanged for cash or/and gift vouchers. Most also offer entries into their monthly sweepstakes or prize draws, as well as their other incentives. Payout minimums tend to be low but

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