Taking Online Surveys

Many companies seek the help of marketing research firms to create online surveys for their products or services. These marketing research firms in turn enlist the help of consumers to answer a set of questions based on the product or service. Sometimes it is the company itself which directly conducts the surveys.

Some Reasons Why Companies Conduct Online Surveys

• To get the opinions of consumers regarding a product or service.

• To help the company improve their products or service.

• To gain an initial consensus regarding a product or service before it hits the market.

• To get an idea if they are successfully attracting targeted consumers.

There is one important thing you must remember if you want to participate in online surveys - there is no fee to join. This is what separates legitimate surveys from scam survey sites. Again, you don't need to pay in order to sign up for a survey. Likewise, websites that claims they will give you a list of marketing research companies for a fee are all shams. You can easily find genuine survey sites when you do a keyword search, say for example on Google.

Signing up for surveys doesn't automatically mean you qualify for every survey that will be conducted. Often, there are screening questions to determine whether you fit their targeted demographic.

Ways Participants are Rewarded

• Cash payment, this will vary depending on the type and length of survey.

• Reward points, when accumulated can be exchanged for products.

• Sweepstakes, you will be included in a monthly sweepstakes wherein cash or items are raffled.

• Free products, mostly samples of products that are still being developed.

Sometimes, survey sites will send you products to test first and then you are expected to enter your answers online after several days.

So is taking online surveys worth it or a waste of time? I'd like to point out that although there are a few surveys that pay a considerable amount, most of them don't. Those who claim they got rich through online surveys are either extremely lucky or extremely lying. I tend to believe it is the latter. It does offer a little extra cash once in a while, but it's still not enough to make a living out of. Nevertheless, the added perk of sampling products yet to hit the market and the advantage of getting a first glimpse of goods and services that are under development is a reward in itself.

If you're the type of person who enjoys sharing your opinions, helping companies develop better products and services, then taking online surveys would be a fun and rewarding experience. The bottom line is, online surveys give concerned consumers a platform to voice their opinions and help shape the development of products.

Personally, I like taking surveys and have done it for years. Some of the cool stuff I got from participating is a free 15 minute phone card, free deodorant samples, free samples of body lotions, free magazines and a little cash sent through Paypal.

Legitimate Survey Sites to Try

Nielsen NetRatings Research Panel

Harris Poll Online

MindField Internet Panels

NPD Online Research

American Consumer Opinion Panel