by Sybille Baylis

Created on: October 06, 2010   Last Updated: April 10, 2011

Online surveys are a great way of earning some money.  All you need is a computer, internet access, and some spare time.  However, there is a bit work to be done before getting started.  The important issues are (a) avoiding scam sites, (b) finding sites that pay in cash or gift card/voucher rather than sweepstakes entries, (c) send plenty of email invitations, and (d) pay up as promptly, as promised.

The following points will assist you in sorting this out:

(1)  Only join legitimate Online Survey Panels operated by reputable Market Research companies.  There are many articles here at Helium that identifies them, such as Websites that pay you to take surveys and Top paying survey sites that really pay.  In addition, free sites such as SurveyPolice that rate survey sites based on members reviews, and expose any scam sites they come across, are of great assistance.

(2)  Read the Panel’s “Terms and Conditions”.  Unless you are only looking to have your opinion heard, make sure you qualify for the incentives.  For example, Australian residents are welcome to join Harris Online Panel but are not eligible for any rewards.  You could be spending time on an ineligible incentive survey while the quota fills on a lucrative one left waiting in your Inbox.

(3)  Once you have confirmed your eligibility for the rewards, decide if you consider them fair remuneration for your time and effort.  There is a lot of variation between what is on offer.  Top of the list is cash, followed by Gift Cards, Online Vouchers, Sweepstakes/Prize Draws entries, donations to Charities, and/or a combination of two or more of these.  Focus on cash and gift card/voucher (nearly as good).

(4)  Then there is the “rate”.  This can also vary greatly between Panels - from about 30cents to $10 for a 30-minute survey.  See “Survey sites: Comparisons of cash rewards for more information.  Maximizing the quantity of surveys you complete is one thing, maximizing the quality is far more lucrative.

(5)  If the Panel passes your scrutiny to this point and you become a member, you are asked to complete “Profile Surveys”.  They form the basis of your demographic and the Panel uses this data to help determine which surveys are appropriate for you. It is therefore imperative that you complete all of them thoroughly to increase your opportunities.  Bear in mind

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