by Sybille Baylis

Created on: August 15, 2010

When I decided to write an article for this topic, I had to some homework on coordinating the diverse methods that different online paid survey panels use to reward their members. I have looked at nine Panels that all accept International membership and reward in cash or cash equivalent (gift cards or online vouchers). The comparison criterion consists of:

(1) Identifying the average reward (or incentive) offered for completing a survey estimated to take about twenty minutes, as this seems to be a common length.

(2) Converting the dollar or points system of reward used to a standard unit.

(3) Applying this to the end reward to reach the dollar value that each Panel is actually paying for a twenty-minute survey.

The Panels are:

www.globaltestmarket.com Reward with “MarketPoints” worth five cents each. The average offering for a twenty minute survey is 35 points. Used to be 50 points, but GTM have “tightened their belt” in recent months. Therefore, in dollar terms, $1.75.

www.greenfieldonline.com AKA www.ciaosurveys.com Straightforwardly offer cash.  Unfortunately, a rather miserly $0.62.  As Greenfield has been acquired by, and is currently being absorbed by  www.toluna.com , I have grouped them together. Toluna award points and, unless you settle for sweepstakes entries, 40,000 points have to be accumulated to earn a $15 voucher. As 2,000 points is the mean for a twenty minute survey (it can vary between 1,000 and 3,000), the math is not pretty That is right, $0.75. No wonder they disguise it with big points. Admittedly, points are awarded for a variety of participations on the Toluna site.

www.lightspeedpanel.com Reward in “Lightspeed Points.” Generally offer 190 points for this length. An accumulation of 575 points earns $5 via PayPal. Therefore, $1.65.

www.opinionworld.com Only about one-third of surveys offer cash rewards, the remainder attract sweepstakes entries and the opportunity to donate to a charity. For the cash surveys points are awarded, and 1,000 need to be accumulated for $20 via PayPal. For this length, 100 points is the norm. That equates to $2.00.

www.pureprofile.com Simple and straightforward. All surveys attract a cash incentive. For this length, generally $3.00.

www.surveyhead.com Another site with straight cash rewards., but there are variations in amount. The mean would be $3.00.

www.valuedopininions.com Offer a cash figure each survey, accumulating to a $20 Gift card. For this length, $2.00.

www.zoompanel.com Members are required to accumulate 1,000 “Zoompoints” to earn a $10 voucher. A survey of this duration attracts 50 points. A paltry $0.50.

Now there are a few provisos associated with these “averages. “ Firstly, they can vary depending on urgency. If a Panel has to fill the survey quota in a short period, it may increase the incentive. Secondly, if the survey topic is aimed at a narrow demographic, once again it may offer more to ensure it attracts sufficient respondents to meet the required quota. Thirdly, if a follow up survey is necessary, this sometimes attracts a better rate.

Nevertheless, as a rule, the above “ballpark” rates are a reasonable indication of the rewards you can expect from these sites.

Learn more about this author, Sybille Baylis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.