Willing to give views on One Direction, washing-up liquid or what goes on between your bedsheets? If so, it's possible to earn £100s a year, without any special skill or talent.
It's all about filling in online surveys for cash and attending face-to-face focus groups. This guide has a full rundown of the top 20 free paid survey sites, tips to max your survey income, plus the top focus group agencies.
In this guide
Top online survey sites:
Also see 30 Ways To Earn Cash Online for more ways to click and earn.
How online survey sites work
Marketing is big business. By learning to target products at the right people, companies cut their advertising spend and increase sales. Add to that the focus group world of politics and the media, and it's clear why businesses pay for your opinions.
Better still, because the whole point is focusing on different types of people, you don't need special qualifications. You just need to be you.
How to take part
There are two ways to take part:
Online surveys for cash. All you have to do is sign up, wait for survey alerts to land in your inbox, then zip through the questions. Survey sites then add the cash to your account. Polls are often fun – you get to vent about everything from video games to your sex life. For a full how-to, see Survey Sites below.
Focus groups. Traditional market research focus groups pay much more per session, but you're limited to a few a year. All it involves is giving opinions on the chosen subject, usually with free refreshments, and you can walk away with anything from £20 to £160. See Focus Groups below for more.
Focus groups. Traditional market research focus groups pay much more per session, but you're limited to a few a year. All it involves is giving opinions on the chosen subject, usually with free refreshments, and you can walk away with anything from £20 to £160. See Focus Groups below for more.
Some inspiration...
Dedicated survey-stashers can make £200 a year in cash and vouchers. Some forumites have even pushed it to the max and made £800 a year.
While we don’t want to give the impression that this is a way to earn thousands instantly, a little bit of inspiration may help. Please add your successes to the Survey Sites forum discussion.
While we don’t want to give the impression that this is a way to earn thousands instantly, a little bit of inspiration may help. Please add your successes to the Survey Sites forum discussion.
It takes a few years to build up enough to cash out with various sites, but I earned £800 last year in cash and vouchers. Comes in very useful!- FUNNYGUY
I have earned over £200 in the last year just doing online surveys while watching sport on TV or listening to the radio. The money from these - I always get cash if possible - just helped me pay for my new boiler. Next stop new windows!- JET9CAT
In the last year I've made over £800 on online surveys, but it does take a lot of spare time and all survey sites were definitely not created equally. If I really busted a gut and did every survey I received I could probably double it.- NEHPETS81
I am a massive fan of focus groups as a way of earning some extra cash - especially if you have time on your side. I go after work or in my lunch break, and I recently got £160 for half a day.
It's good money for just being honest about your thoughts and you get free hot drinks and sandwiches. One group I attended even had free wine!- MARTINLEWISISALEGEND
Survey sites: The DOs & DON'Ts
Before you become a survey stasher, there are a few things worth knowing. Remember, patience and consistency are key virtues.
DON'T store cash in survey accounts
DO set up a dedicated email address
DON'T expect to be instantly rolling in it
DO spend gift vouchers ASAP
DON'T tell porkies
DON'T forget to check your emails
DO keep a log
DON'T forget tax
DO complain via Facebook and Twitter
DON'T pay to join
DO refer a friend
DON'T worry too much about screenouts
Want more ways to boost your cash?Our free, spam free weekly email tells you of the latest
The top 20 online survey sites
This isn't about joining every single survey site you find on Google. It's about focusing on those with decent payouts, low payment thresholds and a reliable volume of surveys.
We tested and analysed MoneySavers' reviews to find the top 20 sites. Huge thanks to all the MoneySavers whose feedback went into the guide. If you've found a top survey site we're missing, add it in the Survey Sites discussion.
01IpsosTOP PAYER, £10 AMAZON VOUCHERS/MTH TYPICAL
A must-join, Ipsos is probably the best paying survey site. Its surveys are plentiful, and many rack up £10 or more of Amazon vouchers every month. Full info
02Swagbucks*MEGA POPULAR WITH FORUMITES
A favourite on the MSE Forum, Swagbucks* pays you virtual 'swag bucks' to answer daily polls, watch videos or play games and these can be cashed in for gift cards, Paypal credits or other rewards.
MSE Blagged Until Sun 21st Sept, new users registering via the link above can earn a bonus £10-worth once you've accrued your first £5-worth of points. Full info
03GlobalTestMarketRELIABLE US SITE THAT SENDS £30 CHEQUES
US survey site GlobalTestMarket pays by cheque in sterling once you've earned $50 (currently £30ish). Many forumites amass £100 a year from the site. Full info
04CrowdologyYOU ONLY NEED TO EARN £4 BEFORE IT PAYS
Another popular site, Crowdology pays hard cash via PayPal. The payment threshold's a low £4, and many folks rack this up every month. Full info
05MySurveyYOU ONLY NEED TO EARN £3 BEFORE IT PAYS
MoneySavers earn cash quickly from MySurvey, as it has a low £3 payout threshold and abundant surveys. It pays in cash via PayPal. Full info
06OnePollBEST FOR FUN, QUICK POLLS
Mega-popular for its speedy surveys, OnePoll runs polls for the press, meaning fun questions about celebs and your love life. It works slightly differently to other survey sites and doesn't send out invitations - you need to log on daily to check. Full info
07PineconeINVITATION ONLY - BUT VERY GENEROUS
The holy grail of survey sites, Pinecone pays megabucks, but is invitation only. You get £3 for every survey. Sadly, the recruitment process is more secretive than MI6. You have to wait until you're invited or spot a web banner advert on another site to sign up. Full info
08NewvistaliveLUCRATIVE, BUT YOU NEED TO EARN £50 BEFORE IT PAYS
While Newvistalive (it's currently upgrading its website, check back soon) has a high £50 payout threshold, many MoneySavers have racked up £50 cheques fairly quickly. It usually pays between £50p and £1 per survey - some forumites have made £50 in six months. Full info
09TolunaEARN AMAZON VOUCHERS
Another survey site to try is Toluna. Forumites earn regular Amazon vouchers, though some report payments can be slow. Full info
10YouGovRELIABLE, BUT LONG SLOG TO HIT TARGET
People either love or hate YouGov. The surveys are short ‘n' snappy, and the site is commissioned by everyone from academics to charities, so you get to put in your tuppence on serious subjects. Yet MoneySavers say it takes three to five years to hit the payout threshold. Full info
Want more ways to boost your cash?Our free, spam free weekly email tells you of the latest
11Valued OpinionsESTABLISHED SITE, PAYS VOUCHERS INCL M&S & TOPSHOP
One of the most established survey sites is Valued Opinions, though MoneySavers have reported glitches recently. It pays in retail vouchers, including M&S, John Lewis, Topshop and, when available, Amazon. Full info
12Panel OpinionPAYS IN HARD CASH, UP TO £5 PER SURVEY
Paying in cold hard cash, PanelOpinion has a low payout threshold of £10. We've a little less feedback on this one than some other sites, but what we do have is good. MoneySavers have made up to £5 for one survey. Full info
13Survey FriendsUSE POINTS TO BID ON REWARDS INCLUDING KINDLES
This site works a little differently to the others. As well as spending Survey Friends points on retail vouchers, you can use them to bid on rewards such as Kindles, Tesco vouchers and TVs. Full info
14Vanson BourneTOP PAYER, BUT YOU MUST WORK IN IT OR BUSINESS
For anyone who works in IT or business, Vanson Bourne is a must-join. It pays hugely generous £5 or £10 in Amazon vouchers per survey. People usually receive the voucher by email just a few hours after completing a poll. Full info
15PureprofileRELIABLE SITE, BUT INFREQUENT SURVEYS
One for dedicated survey stashers, Pureprofile is a reliable player, but surveys are scarce. With about one survey per month, it usually takes nine months to two years to reach the £25 target. Full info
16Vivatic*REGULAR POLLS, BUT YOU NEED TO EARN £25 BEFORE IT PAYS
For belt 'n' braces, Vivatic* is worth a look. It's been very popular for its regular surveys and payouts in past years. Yet since it hiked its payout threshold to £25, forumites are less happy. Full info
17Opinion OutpostPOPULAR AS YOU ONLY NEED TO EARN £3 BEFORE IT PAYS
Popular for its low payout threshold, Opinion Outpost pays Amazon vouchers or cash via PayPal. Surveys are sporadic, but you only need to earn £3 to get a payout, so should see cash quickly. Full info
18OpinionWorldMIXED FEEDBACK
Feedback's mixed for OpinionWorld. While some have clocked up £70 in a few months, others are frustrated by being entered for prize draws rather than being given reward points. Full info
19iPollSLOW BURNER
A relaunched version of a survey site called SurveyHead, iPoll is owned by US opinion poll company United Sample. Full info
20MindmoverINFREQUENT BUT INTERESTING SURVEYS
Another slow-burner, Mindmover pays out cash via PayPal when you reach £20. Surveys are infrequent - forumites report it takes a while to clock up enough to get paid. Full info
Want more ways to boost your cash?Our free, spam free weekly email tells you of the latest
Market research focus groups
Traditional market research can also be a banker. Companies pay cash for taking part in focus groups. These take place at a pre-organised address, in your own home, on the phone, or online in a designated chat forum.
All it involves is giving opinions on the chosen subject, usually over sarnies and a cuppa, and you can walk away with anything from £20 to £160.
You can only do one or two a year
The catch is agencies restrict the amount of focus groups a person can do, typically to one every six months - and that's not just with their own agency, but ANY agency. Though if you sign up for a few and combine it with other income-boosters, it's a welcome addition.
To get started, sign up with the following agencies. As the number of focus groups you can attend is limited, we've picked the ones with solid feedback from MoneySavers.
You can only do one or two a year
The catch is agencies restrict the amount of focus groups a person can do, typically to one every six months - and that's not just with their own agency, but ANY agency. Though if you sign up for a few and combine it with other income-boosters, it's a welcome addition.
To get started, sign up with the following agencies. As the number of focus groups you can attend is limited, we've picked the ones with solid feedback from MoneySavers.
01SarosBIG NAME AGENCY WITH PLENTY OF FOCUS GROUPS
With established agency Saros, you typically get £30 to £100 for two hours' work. You're only allowed to take part in two discussions per year, and it can take a while before you're selected.
MoneySavers report when you do get picked, it's easy cash. Forumite LEJC says: "I did a three-hour forum at a local hotel on the concept of chocolate, and got paid £50. I tasted three pieces of chocolate, had a lovely bacon roll and unlimited tea - not too bad for a morning's work."
MoneySavers report when you do get picked, it's easy cash. Forumite LEJC says: "I did a three-hour forum at a local hotel on the concept of chocolate, and got paid £50. I tasted three pieces of chocolate, had a lovely bacon roll and unlimited tea - not too bad for a morning's work."
02Focus4People
MAINLY IN THE SOUTH EAST AND LONDON
It's possible to earn £20 to (if you're very lucky) £250 a time with Focus4People. Most focus groups take place in London and the south east of England, with a few in Birmingham and Manchester. It also runs telephone and online sessions, so it's worth everyone joining.
Forumite MartinLewisisalegend says: "Without wishing to brag - I got £90 for the one focus group I attended. Cash in hand on the day for a couple of hours giving my opinion - I highly recommend it."
Forumite MartinLewisisalegend says: "Without wishing to brag - I got £90 for the one focus group I attended. Cash in hand on the day for a couple of hours giving my opinion - I highly recommend it."
03Research OpinionsFOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Based in Manchester, Research Opinions runs focus groups across the country in cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
It runs individual in-depth interviews and online sessions and typically pays £40-£200.
It runs individual in-depth interviews and online sessions and typically pays £40-£200.
04IndiefieldA GOOD BET FOR LONDONERS
Another big player is Indiefield. Be sure to update the profile section - your postcode, age and gender means you will be notified of pertinent research events in your area.
Most focus groups are in London, though there are also a few outside. MoneySavers say it typically pays £35 a time.
Most focus groups are in London, though there are also a few outside. MoneySavers say it typically pays £35 a time.
05FocusForceONLINE PANELS AND FACE-TO-FACE GROUPS
While we've a little less feedback on this agency, FocusForce holds focus groups within the M25, mostly after work, typically paying £40 - £50 a survey. It sends daily email requests.
It also invites people to join online panels - for these, you can live anywhere in the UK.
It also invites people to join online panels - for these, you can live anywhere in the UK.
No comments:
Post a Comment