Get Paid to Test Websites with these 14 Companies – Easily Earn up to 45 per hour

Would you like to earn you up to 45 per hour in your spare time? Yes? Then read on, because in this post I’m going to show you how to get paid to test websites from home.

I came across website testing when I first started looking into ways to make money online. I was instantly intrigued as this seemed like a fun way to earn money online.

This post may contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information please read my full disclosure policy. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting my blog.

In this post, I’ll share my experiences with the 5 user testing websites I’ve been using. I’ve also added a list of an extra 9 website testing companies that I haven’t tried yet. So that’s 14 website testing companies in total for you to take a look at.

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Table of Contents

  • What is Website Testing?
  • What Skills Do You Need?
  • What Equipment Do I Need?
  • How Do Usability Tests Work
  • How Much Can You Get Paid to Review Websites, and How Long are the Tests?
  • How Many Website Tests Can You Do?
  • Pros
  • Cons 
  • 5 Website Testing Sites I’ve Used to Make Money Online
    • WhatUsersDo
      • How Much Does WhatUsersDo Pay?
      • Getting Started with WhatUsersDo
      • What are the Tests Like?
      • My Experience so far with WhatUsersDo
    • User Testing
      • How Much Does UserTesting Pay
      • My Experience with UserTesting
      • UserTesting Help Centre and Tester Support
      • UserTesting Overall
    • Userlytics
    • TryMyUI
    • TestingTime
    • UserZoom
    • Userfeel
    • Analysia
    • UserTest
    • StartUpLift
    • Validately
    • Loop11
    • Test
    • Testbirds
    • Testerwork
  • Website Testing Overall Verdict

What is Website Testing?

Website Usability testing is a process used by companies to iron out any snags they have with their websites. That’s where user testing websites come into the equation. The client that needs a website testing, farms the job out to one of these companies. They then post the job on their platform inviting “testers” to carry out the work.

What Skills Do You Need?

The great thing about website testing is that you don’t need any prior skills or qualifications. The companies who commission the tests don’t want website or IT experts. They just need to know if their average target customer can use the site easily (or not as is sometimes the case!). In a way, it’s similar to completing online surveys, but it’s far more lucrative. I also think it’s much more interesting – it’s one of my favourite ways to earn extra money online.

You can take a look at the video below from UserTesting that gives some great tips on how to become a good website tester.

What Equipment Do I Need?

Not much is the short answer to this. You can get started with a basic laptop, as long as it’s got a microphone and you have a fast internet connection. You need a microphone, as most of these sites need you to install their recording software. This allows them to record the test and send it to the client.

If you don’t have a microphone on your computer you can buy a simple one fairly cheaply such as this one.

How Do Usability Tests Work

Once you’re you’ve downloaded the screen recording software you’re ready to take your first test. All you need to do is speak your thoughts out loud as you carry out the tasks the test instructs you to do. This is probably one of the parts that you might find a bit alien. From my perspective, I’m forever talking to myself (it drives my wife nuts) so it comes fairly naturally!!!

You can also carry out tests on your mobile phone or tablet too. This requires either special software or an app. You might also have to carry out an extra audition test to get access to these. I highly recommend doing this though, as the more tests you get access to the more money you can potentially earn.

Once you’ve finished the test you upload the file to the testing company for review. Once it’s been quality checked and approved you get paid – usually via PayPal.

As a side note on this – you can occasionally get a submission rejected – this happened to me on the first test I did…. I nearly packed it in after that, but I’m glad I didn’t as it hasn’t happened since.

My test got rejected because I didn’t follow the instructions correctly – as a result skipped a couple of tasks. So, be warned, make sure you complete all the tasks before moving on.

How Much Can You Get Paid to Review Websites, and How Long are the Tests?

Tests are usually quoted at lasting around 20 minutes for a 10 payment (around 8). At this rate, you’re earning 30 an hour which works out around 24. which isn’t too shabby at all.

My experience though is that 20 minutes is a very generous amount of time. Most of the 10 test I’ve completed took me between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. I’ve also had higher paying tests that paid out 25 for under 30 minutes work and occasionally you can get invited to video call sessions. Live video sessions tend to be much longer (usually around an hour) with a very good pay rate.

How Many Website Tests Can You Do?

Most sites state that you’ll get between 2 and 4 tests per month, so with this in mind don’t quit your day job for this! The number of tests varies though based on your demographics and the tests available. Due to this, I recommend signing up for as many as you can. This will give you the best chance of getting a reasonable number of tests each month.

Pros

  • Great rate of pay up to 40+ per hour
  • Interesting and fun
  • No investment required to get started

Cons 

  • Tests can get taken very quickly due to the limited number
  • I’ve encountered several glitches in some tests. Unfortunately, this can prevent you from completing tasks.

5 Website Testing Sites I’ve Used to Make Money Online

Ready to get started? Here’s a list of the 5 website testing sites I’ve been using that I can recommend signing up for.

WhatUsersDo

This was the first testing company I used and the one where I had a rejected test. WhatUsersDo is a UK company owned by a US Company called UserZoom. You can select in your profile section to receive tests from UserZoom as well, which I recommend.

Update July 2018 – What Users Do appears to have stopped accepting new testers. I have emailed to try and get clarification but haven’t received a response from them yet.

How Much Does WhatUsersDo Pay?

The pay rate is £5 per test which is a little lower than several other sites.

Payment is via PayPal on the 25th of every month. But, there can be a long wait due to how they run their payments. This is the statement from the payment section

We process payments on the 25th of each month (excluding UK weekends and public holidays) for any tests carried out, and accepted by us, for the preceding month.

For example: for any test completed and accepted in May, we will send payment to you on 25th June.”

So, with WhatUsersDo you can potentially be waiting nearly 2 months to get paid, which isn’t great when compared with some competitors.

Getting Started with WhatUsersDo

To get started with WhatUsersDo you simply sign up, download their screen recorder onto your computer and take a practice test. You’ll then start receiving tests by email. When I first signed up I received my first test within an hour but was screened out.

You do have to carry out an audition test with WhatUsersDo though before you can receive any paid tests. You’ll also need to carry out an extra audition test for each extra device you want to test on too which is a little frustrating. Due to this I still haven’t done these for my phone or tablet but plan to at some point.

What are the Tests Like?

The tests can vary from website tests to more basic surveys, but the pay rate remains the same. Currently, I tend to be getting 1 or 2 tests a week. The website states that you’ll get between 3 and 5 tests each month, which is pretty much in line with how many I’ve received.

The website also states:

The better that you complete the tasks requested, the more tests that you will be offered”.

This is pretty consistent across all the major testing sites. You can see your overall rating on WhatUsersDo but not the rating per test (or any feedback), which isn’t as good as some other sites. You also get quite a vague rating in my view. Mine’s currently “Good” but I’m not sure what the scale is. If I find out I’ll update!!!

My Experience so far with WhatUsersDo

I didn’t get off to a great start with WhatUsers Do as my first test was rejected but this hasn’t happened since and I’m now receiving regular tests. The moral of the story here is make sure you finish the tasks and learn from the experience if you do get a rejection.

To find out more check out my full WhatUsersDo Review.

User Testing

UserTesting is probably one of the most well-known and best website testing sites.

How Much Does UserTesting Pay

Payment is via PayPal and a typical 20-minute website test pays you $10. Payment is made 7 days after completing a test. If you receive a good test rating you can also get invited to higher paying face to face sessions with a customer. I’ve done one of these so far and earnt $60 (roughly £45) for an hours skype session.

My Experience with UserTesting

I’ve carried out one test to date which had a glitch in the prototype test. I logged it as an issue and still received payment for the test which was great.

For future reference, there is an area where you can log the problem during the test – you can then log the technical issue while you’re in the test.

My advice – if you encounter an issue while testing report it straight away. This should prevent any non-payment issues.

The option to take part in Skype sessions is also great as this is a great way to boost your earnings with UserTesting.

Test Invitations

I receive quite a lot test invitations but they often have screening questions – so getting screened out frequently can be frustrating.

Also, once you’ve completed a test you have to wait for it to be reviewed before you can take any more. This was very frustrating as I had 3 tests sat on my dashboard (after a month of having none) that suddenly disappeared.

UserTesting Help Centre and Tester Support

UserTesting has a really useful Help Centre. There’s a couple of lessons which are 15 minutes each. One is “How to Become a 5 Star Tester” and the other is “How to Handle Problems when testing” I’ll be completely honest here and say that I didn’t bother doing these initially.

There’s also a Tester Support Centre which includes articles and FAQ’s to troubleshoot any problems or answer questions you might have.

UserTesting Overall

Overall I’ve been very impressed with UserTesting. It’s probably the most in-depth site from the 5 website testing companies I’ve used so far. The Help Centre and FAQ sections are very useful, plus the payment terms are good. Also, if you provide a good test you are rewarded with more tests and become eligible for higher paid studies, which is a great incentive.

You can read my full review of UserTesting or sign up here.

Userlytics

Userlytics offers slightly longer tests – generally 20 to 40 minutes long. As with most of the other website testing companies, you’ll need to download their screen recording software. There’s no qualification test with Userlytics either which makes it very quick and easy to sign up.

Payment is made, again via PayPal, once a week once your test has been reviewed and accepted by the client. This took a couple of days on the test I carried out.

I’ve done one test so far with Userlytics which was quite well paid – 25 for a 30 minute test. I haven’t received many invitations since though, so haven’t been able to take any more.

TryMyUI

TryMyUI is a US company that pays you for your honest opinion when using websites and apps. TryMyUI pays 10 per test and tests are estimated to be 20 minutes long. However, my experience is that often you’re finished quicker than this though.

To become a TryMyUI tester you’ll need to download they’re screen recorder onto your computer. You’ll also need to complete a qualification test. This is rated by the TryMyUI grading team – you get a star rating out of 5 and some feedback to help you improve which is really useful if you’re just getting started. To test apps you’ll need to download the TryMyUI app onto your smartphone or tablet.

Each test tends to consist of a recorded usability test where you speak your thoughts out loud, followed by a short survey.

Payment is made via PayPal once the tests have been reviewed and accepted by the TryMyUI graders. The test that I completed was reviewed the same day and cleared for payment. I also received a detailed rating on my performance which was great initial feedback. Payments are then sent out every Friday, which is a positive as you’re not waiting around for payment.

I get plenty of emails from TryMyUI but they tend to come in fits and starts. I’ve only carried out one test so far – I’ve had plenty of invitations. But, I’ve either missed out as I wasn’t quick enough accepting the test, or I’ve been screened out.

TestingTime

Testing Time is slightly different to the sites above. Rather than testing a website and speaking out loud, you get invited to online surveys or Skype focus groups. You can also test on-site with the customer.

The pay is good too, with Testing Time quoting a rate of up to 50 per hour, which isn’t to be sniffed at!

I missed out on a Skype survey that paid 30 for 30 minutes in my first week after signing up (I didn’t accept it quick enough). You get a text as well as an email so if you’re invited to one of these make sure you accept straight away!

I also carried out a survey which paid 3 for just a few minutes work.

You receive invitations via email and you can pick a convenient time to carry out the test. In the case of surveys, it works just like a normal survey site where you follow the link and complete the survey.

Payment is made via PayPal within 10 days of completing a test.

UserZoom

UserZoom is a US company that also offers paid website testing. UserZoom bought WhatUsersDo in early 2018, so if you sign up for WhatUsersDo you can opt to become a UserZoom tester too, rather than having two accounts.

If you’re looking for more sites to sign up for you can also check out the extra 9 websites below. I haven’t completed any tests with these yet though.

Userfeel

Pays 10 per test with each test lasting between 10 and 20 minutes.

Analysia

Pays 10 per 15 minute test. I registered with this site over a month ago but haven’t received a single test yet ☹.

UserTest

This UK Website Testing company pays 8 per test but currently, applications are closed until December 2018.

StartUpLift

Get paid 5 per test via PayPal

Validately

Get paid via PayPal within 7 days when completing a test. Payments vary based on the test but according to their website, many studies pay in the 100 range for a live remote study.

Loop11

Pass a 5-minute qualification test to get accepted onto the Loop11 panel. They currently disclose their pay rates but I’d expect it to be in-line with similar companies.

Test

TestIO is slightly different to most of the other website testing companies in this post. Rather than paying per test, they pay by the bug found. You’ll also earn more if you discover critical bugs with a site. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend this as a one to start with. It may be worth a look though, as you become more experienced with website testing.

They do offer more traditional tests to, that pay you to review apps or complete a scripted test. Payment varies and is made via PayPal once a month.

Testbirds

Earn an average of 20 Euros / 15 per test plus additional payments for each bug (defect) you find.

Testerwork

Earn money testing apps and websites with Testerwork. Payment varies by test and is made in US$ via PayPal around 2 weeks after completing a test.

Website Testing Overall Verdict

Overall, I really like website testing as a side hustle. It’s interesting, stress-free and very well paid for the amount of time you need to invest. You’re not going to replace your full- time income with this but it’s a great side income stream. It’s an easy way to make money online that you can start straight away to. You just need to sign up with each site and wait for the test invitations to be emailed to you.

If you’re looking for more ways to make money from home take a look at the post below:

Prolific Academic Review: Well Paid Online Research Studies… that Won’t Send You to Sleep

If you enjoyed this post please share or comment below. I’d love to hear your experiences with website testing and other ways to make money online.

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