by Rahul Sharma |
Today, one of the ultimate lifestyle choices available for people with talent and creative drive, is to work from their own home. With the advent of the internet, remote working is becoming a far more realistic possibility for many people, and there is a multitude of varying ways to earn cash from the comfort of your own couch using online resources. One such possibility is taking online surveys, but what are online surveys, and where can you find the best survey sites to make money?
What are Online Surveys?
A lot of large companies spend millions of dollars every year on conducting market research that will help them to develop their brand. The internet provides an unbeatable way of allowing companies to communicate on a direct basis with their target market. Once, businesses had to go through extensive door-to-door research, or use focus groups to get an answer, but surveys make the whole process much easier.
Companies therefore commission carefully constructed market research surveys asking the public about relevant topics such as their likes, dislikes, purchasing habits and income. What’s more, they’re actually willing to pay for this information. Generally, cash deposits are made either by PayPal or BACs, however some companies do provide alternative incentives, such as vouchers for certain stores.
There’s no wrong or right answer when you’re filling in an online survey. Companies are looking to generate data using the opinions of the people who matter most to them – the customers. However, it is essential that you fill out each survey as truthfully as possible, as falsifying personal information could mean that you fail to qualify for further surveys that would be appropriate for you.
What are the Benefits of Taking Online Surveys?
It’s worth noting that it’s unlikely that you are going to be able to generate a living from simply filling out surveys online. Online surveys provide extra money for those looking to work from home, but they are unlikely to offer a full-time income. Most of the time, this form of generating extra cash is most beneficial for people who are looking to supplement their current income, or for stay at home mums who want to make a little extra cash.
Where do you Find Online Surveys?
Like most things in life, not every survey company you come across is going to be beneficial to you. Though it’s true that a quick search on your favorite engine is likely to generate hundreds of options that you can try, not all of them will actually pay out.
One of the best ways to find online surveys that can actually provide you with a little extra money is to read reviews, articles and recommendations that already exist around the internet. Usually, these sources of information will direct you towards the best sites, as well as giving you the necessary details you will need to decide which ones are the most suitable for you. With the right advice, you can earn some money, and avoid internet scams.
What are Online Surveys Really About?
One of the things that you may find yourself wondering about when you’re considering the benefits of online money making techniques, is what these surveys will actually be about. Online surveys can ask you any manner of information, from broad selections to more specific queries. For example, you may have to answer general questions about your preferences and tastes, such as what kind of sugar you like to add to your morning coffee, or whether you use milk. Some people find online surveys to be quite fun, because the questions are not aggressive, and simply allow you to give your opinion as a consumer.
On the other hand, some online surveys will ask you questions about your purchasing habits. For example, if you are taking a survey regarding electronic appliances, then you may be asked what your last purchases in this area were. Some people find these types of surveys to be slightly more invasive, whereas others are not so concerned.
How Long do They Take?
Online surveys come in a range of different forms and sizes. There are surveys that take up no more than a single page, and multi-screen selections that ask you a number of questions and take far longer to complete.
Of course, the multi-page surveys are typically more detailed, more complex, and may come with specific sub-categories. You might be asked to supply demographic information about yourself, such as your gender, age-group, and credit history and income bracket. Remember, no legitimate survey site will ever ask you for details of your credit card or bank account. These surveys often take thirty minutes or longer to complete, but they are usually quite well paid.
Prizes or Cash?
In some cases, when you start searching for online surveys that provide you with a means of earning extra income at home, you will find a number of options that provide prizes, instead of cash. Some people find this incredibly disappointing, as the survey simply promises to enter all respondents into lottery drawings, instead of offering solid cash.
In some circumstances, when survey takers decide to disregard or ignore those surveys, they find that they have been deleted from the database of a specific survey site because they are classed as “unreliable respondents”. Remember, all reputable survey companies will vary the prizes that they give out. Though some top-level surveys may pay anywhere up to $100, smaller ones will simply enter you into a drawing that gives you a chance of winning money.
Although filling out surveys for prizes instead of cash may seem like a waste of time, it’s worth bearing in mind that the survey company could be keeping a record of your activity as a respondent. If you regularly disregard the invitations that you are given, you may end up being rejected from the respondent pool, and that way, you’re losing your chance to complete the cash surveys that you want to take part in. Sometimes, it pays to take the chance and complete smaller, prize-oriented surveys, simply to build your reputation as a reliable respondent.
Images: ”Online Survey sign with clouds and sky background/Shutterstock.com“
via TweakYourBiz
