UserTesting: Getting paid to think out loud

As a future stay-at-home mom, I've been trying to find ways to earn a little bit of extra cash in my spare time. In my searching, I came across a website called UserTesting which allows registered users to aid in reviewing online websites and services. In order to review sites and services, you complete short tasks while talking through your thought process; the UserTesting program captures a live screen recording of your computer screen and mouse movements, as well as your voice, in order to provide feedback to the companies which you review. Each test takes less than 20 minutes, and....the best part about it?

You get paid!

In a nutshell, you simply:
1. Register as a UserTester
2. Download the UserTesting program and set up your computer's webcam
3. Complete a practice test as part of the registration process.
4. Patiently await the arrival of new tests to complete
5. Complete a short screener test to see if you qualify for the full test.
6. If you qualify for the tests, complete a 20 minute test and earn $10, or a 5 minute test to earn $3
7. After successfully finishing the test, you will receive payment within 7-10 days to your Paypal account; you can even have the money routed from Paypal to your bank account

**By no means will this site make you RICH or be a replacement for a full-time job. But, when the surveys do come, it's a nice and easy way to earn a bit of spare cash. In the past 3 weeks, I've spent about 2 hours total doing surveys and earned $66. 

If you are interested in giving it a try, you can register as a UserTester by clicking HERE. When you sign up, it will ask you "How did you find out about UserTesting?"; if you write in my username (hyoung7), you'll help me earn referral points, too!

If you want to understand better how the site works, see below for a walk through of the process. Or, feel free to ask me any questions you have by leaving a comment on this post.

How it works

1. After registering for UserTesting, you will be able to view available tests through your Dashboard on your online profile. 

2. Tests come every so often, and when they are made available they will show up on your dashboard like so: 

3. When tests appear, you will be required to take a screener test first to see if you qualify. The screener test is just a few questions and will help determine if you are eligible for the full UserTest. If you do not qualify, you will see a screen like this:

4. But, if you do qualify for the survey, you will then get to complete the UserTest using the downloadable program. The program will record your voice (using your webcam hookup) as well as a live view of your computer screen and mouse movements. The tests vary depending on the tasks, but you will always be required to complete little tasks and think out loud in reviewing the site or service.

5. After each test, you will answer 2-3 written questions to complete the survey.

6. Your payment will take a few days to process; the payment will appear in your Paypal account after 7-10 days. Then, you can choose to have the money transferred from your Paypal directly into your bank account.

You can read more information here, straight from UserTesting, if you have you have any further questions. Or, if you're ready to register, just click HERE. When you sign up, it will ask you "How did you find out about UserTesting?"; if you write in my username (hyoung7), you'll help me earn referral points, too! 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy UserTesting! 

**As an update, over the past 6 months, I've earned over $500 in UserTests. Well worth my time!! :)  --Heather Y., February 2015