You may have heard about companies like UserTesting – they went public in 2021 as $USER. That may have triggered your thinking: what the heck is “user testing?”
User testing is the process of observing real, unbiased users perform specific tasks for the purpose of understanding evaluating the usability (how easy interfaces are to use) of the functions of a website, app, product, or service. This process helps companies understand issues their products may have currently, or help them test new ideas before launching to the general public.
Some user testing companies who offer a portal for participants to sign up refer to it as a “side hustle,” but it’s important to have understanding of what is generally meant by side hustle. By definition, a side hustle is something that you do to earn extra money in addition to your regular source of income. So it’s not meant to become a new line of work that you could transition to fully (at least not generally speaking).
And that’s the case with user testing in general – it’s probably not going to be enough money to support you as a full-time job unless your budget is quite low. The better way to think about it is using some of your free time to earn extra cash to pay for extra things in life like entertainment. That’s assuming you take an occasion test now and then.
If you really find that you enjoy it and get to a place where you take one test a day, you could end up making somewhere around $200 a month from UserTesting.com specifically. Their tests are between $4 and $90 and the time commitment increases as the incentive does. But it also depends on if companies are looking for someone with your demographic background to participate.
What’s the main purpose of user testing?
Beyond the definition above, let’s dig in a little deeper. Companies and researchers can be inherently biased about their products and services. They see and use their products every day which means they can’t think or behave as a “new” user anymore, and because users have multiple ways they interact with products and services, there’s no way they can understand all their customers.
User testing can take the form of tasks that they ask you to perform with their product, then they watch to see what behaviors you use and in some cases listen to your feedback, and watch your facial expressions. The researchers learn from your responses and any difficulties you might have in order to get new insights about their products.
So when you’re testing through a service like UserTesting, if something doesn’t quite work how you expect, it’s always appreciated to be honest and vocal about that in a friendly way. Ultimately, you’re helping these companies make their products better for their customers!
Is user testing right for me?
It could be! Do you enjoy providing feedback to others to help them improve? If you’re the type who might like to correct spelling and grammar errors when you find them, or you often notice “weird” disorganized patterns on websites and apps, this could be a really fun way to spend some free time and get a little compensation for it too.
Check out my tier list article on sites that allow you to test and take surveys for extra cash to see if there is a service right for you!
UserTesting Stock Chart
For more stocks I like, hop over to HowdyTrade – say howdy and share what you are trading!