Product Testing: Where to Find it and How to Get Started

A year ago I had no idea about product testing. It was just something I had heard about and had tried to sign up at many different research facilities in my area but I was never selected. I always thought it had to be in the area to test a product until I found out, there are lots of other companies that want your feedback on products they want to market.

What kind of products are their to test you might ask. Well, one of my best product tests was an HP photo printer in which I was able to keep. You don't always get paid for a product test, nor do you get to keep it, but there is a good chance you will if the company is going to go ahead and market it. Some sites pay you for the survey to see if you qualify and if you do, then you get the product test. Others you just take your chances at the qualifications and hope that you will get selected. If you fit their demographic, then you are on your way. I've tested hairbrushes, sunscreen, dog food (well our pet did), food, and electronics and almost every time I was able to keep the product or was compensated in some way, either by gift certificate, alternate product or money.

So where do you get started? The most reputable companies I have found are Pinecone Research, In home product testing, HP product testing, My Survey, Centercode and if you are a female, She Speaks. I'll give you links to each of these except Pinecone. Pinecone is a little different in that you must click on a banner that they have showing on a website to sign up. They do not do direct links or referrals so the best thing to do is do a google search for Pinecone banners.

Here are the links to each of the websites I listed along with more information about them:

In home Product Testing: When you first sign up you won't be able to choose your own username, they send one to you. It can take a little while for a product test to become available, but with patience they will send you an email knowing when one is available. Be quick, because they do go fast.

HP Product Testing: Once you sign up and register, they will send emails to you when they are doing Beta or Delta tests. The difference between the two is Delta is just right before a product is released to see how everything goes in a persons home setting. The Beta is related to seeing what the customer exactly wants and needs and is not a finished product. Be patient if you keep trying to get accepted for a product test, it took me a year to get one but I finally did fit their demographic.

My Survey: This group is more for surveys then probably anything, but I have gotten a few product tests from them as they usually run surveys to see if you qualify. If you qualify they will let you know at the end of the survey, but sometimes the quota is filled and you don't always get the product test. Patience is the key here, eventually you might get one.

Centercode: At first I thought they were more geared towards home based businesses, but after my first product test I was wrong. They do quite a few tests so you have a pretty good chance to test a product based upon your demographics.

She Speaks: She Speaks is geared towards women (sorry guys) as only woman are allowed to sign up. They are one of the better ones for product tests as I have only been with them for a few months and already had three product tests. They don't pay you, but you might get rewarded with keeping the product or they will send you a gift as a thank you.

I'm sure there are lots of websites to sign up for that do product testing. Sometimes the company lists the information on their website so if you are looking to test specific products or brands, I would try their website first, but these are the companies that I have tested products through personally and gotten paid so there is no worry about spam or phishing. Now that you know it's possible to product test, what are you waiting for, go out there and try those products!