Make Money by Taking Online Surveys

May 8, 2006 — -- If you have a computer and like giving your opinion, you might want to try doing online surveys from home to make a little extra cash while trying new products. There are hundreds of companies that enlist research panels of average consumers to complete surveys online.

You can't expect to earn a full salary from taking online surveys, but it is possible to earn $50 to $100 a month in cash and free products if you take several short surveys, according to experienced online survey site members. The key is to sign up with several survey sites (which are all free to join) to increase your chances of being selected for the surveys.

When you join a survey site, you provide your personal and demographic information, which credible survey sites will not disclose to any other party. That information is used to select participants for surveys on specific products and services. When you are selected as a panel member, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to take a short screening survey to determine if you fit the profile for that particular survey. If you qualify, you will be asked to take a longer online survey in exchange for some sort of compensation.

Compensation varies by company and by survey. You may receive a few dollars, or be sent free products in exchange for trying them and providing feedback about them. Most surveys "pay" by entering participants into a sweepstakes.

I have taken about a dozen surveys myself with the two online survey sites I joined. I was paid for three of the surveys ($15, $6 and $1 each) and was entered into a sweepstakes for the other nine surveys (which I did not win). However, I found it easy and enjoyable to answer the questions.

Experienced survey site members like Christa Alewine of Georgia also enjoy getting all kinds of free products, from graham crackers to dog food. Her children look forward to getting products in the mail to test at home and have even participated in some surveys for children (with parental approval).