How to Get Paid Reviewing Websites with UserTesting
Today’s Money-Making SAHM is Amy Cornett. She works for an awesome company called UserTesting.UserTesting helps people who own websites and mobile apps improve them by getting ‘an outsider’s’ perspective. So Amy is paid to visit websites and mobile apps and review their functionality, give the owners helpful feedback, and rate them based on her opinion and experience. If visiting and rating websites sounds like a fun job to you, please continue reading.
Welcome Amy!
Q. What inspired you to begin working from home with UserTesting?
A. I saw a segment on working from home on Good Morning America shortly after my third child was born. One of the featured companies was UserTesting and I thought it would be a great fit.
Q. How did you go about arranging a work at home position with UserTesting?
A. I went to the UserTesting website and took a look at the company. There was an application processthen sample tests. Once I was approved as a tester, I started testing on my own.
Q. What are some tips you would like to share with others who are interested in doing something similar?
A. Working for UserTesting is fun and different each day. I have loved getting to review websites and apps that I may have never come across otherwise. It is not a full-time job so you need to expect that up front. If you have a flexible schedule, a great internet connection and up-to-date computer and mobile devices, this opportunity may be for you. You also need to give your all each time, which means finding a quiet space in the house and really paying attention to the tasks at hand.
Q. How many hours do you work a week or how much of your time does this UserTesting require? Is it flexible? Is it consistent?
A. UserTesting is very flexible. Tests become available at all times of the day. It is hard to say how many “hours” I work, as I work in about 15 minute increments. Some days I may get 3 tests, some days not at all. If I am home all day the chances are I will get at least one test which lasts about 15 minutes.
Q. When/how do you find the time to work with UserTesting?
A. I try to work while my kids are at school and I am doing my household chores. A bell rings on my computer when a test is available so I am alerted to the test and I can see if I qualify for it.
Q. Are there certain tips/advice you’d want to share with others who want to start working with UserTesting like you?
A. Ratings are important. The better your ratings are the more tests you will receive. I treat each test like it is the most important one whether I am doing a test for Google or a mom and pop small business.
Q. Was training/schooling required for the position with UserTesting? If so, how/when did you complete it?
A. There are videos you can watch to perfect your testing skills. The more tests you perform the better you will be. As they say practice makes perfect.
Q. What percentage of your income does UserTesting account for? Or does the income help a little, medium, or is the main source of your family’s income?
A. I would say the amount of income I make differs from month to month. There are months that are more profitable than others. I use this income as “bonus” income. You cannot rely on the income as it is based on when tests are available. It is the perfect income to use for the kids activities and vacations.
I make $10.00 per 15 minute test, add to that about 5 minutes to submit it. So some days I make $10.00 for a quick 20 mins., other days I make $30 for an hour of work. It is possible to make $300-$800 a month if you are home most of the day.
Q. How would someone who wants to do something similar with UserTesting get started?
A. I would suggest you go to usertesting.com (click here) to get started. You simply fill out a form and get a bit of training. You must be 18 years old and have a computer with a microphone. You do not need a webcam because you are never recorded (just your screen is recorded as you review the new website).
You can also do mobile tests to make money. You will need a specific smart phone listed on the sign up page (here) this is another great way to make more money through UserTesting. You just take a sample test and submit it, then they notify you if you were hired. It’s great because a lot of survey companies pay $0.25-$2.50 for a survey that is not particularly interesting, UserTesting pays $10.00 for a 15 minute survey where you get to rate a lot of top brands and express your opinion vocally. It’s much more interesting than online surveys.
