Research in reverse: My guide to becoming a test user
By: Hazel Meades
Tags: User Research, Usability Testing, User Testing, Market Research, User Experience

What To Expect: Debunking Misconceptions About User Testing

When I started looking into user testing platforms, I came across plenty of disillusioned reviewers. However, I quickly realised that many of their complaints were to do with the nature of user testing itself, not the specific user testing platform they were using.

So, before I recommend any user testing platforms, let’s make sure you know what you may (or may not) be getting into!

User testing is not a full-time job.

No matter what user testing platform you’ve signed up to, it might be a while before you receive an invitation to a test you can take part in. This happens for a couple of reasons.

An example test invite from Userlytics.com.

Firstly, you can only take part in tests you meet the requirements for. A UK-based takeaway delivery service that wants to improve their website, for example, will look for UK-based users who regularly order takeaways online. If you don’t meet those requirements then you won’t be able to do the test. This is why user testing platforms ask for your demographic details during the sign-up process.

Not meeting these requirements can look like completing an initial screener survey (something which checks to see if you’re the right kind of person for the test) only to receive a politely worded rejection message. It could also look like not getting a lot of test invites. Your demographic details may not match what companies on the platform are looking for (yet!).

Secondly, if you don’t get screened out from the test, there’s still a significant chance that the study quota has already been filled up by other viable users. That takeaway company, for example, only needs a certain number of test users out of the many people who sign up to user testing platforms.

Userlytics.com has had a lot more practise at explaining this than I have. Heed their words!

This means that user testing does not have the same time requirements as a 9–5 job. The work is sporadic and there are often large gaps of time in between finding tests that you’re eligible to complete. If you don’t like the sound of that, don’t do it.

User testing is not a get rich quick scheme.

The most I’ve ever earned from completing a single user test is £30.52. I received this money after taking part in an hour-long session with a professional researcher (and excitedly grilling her about her journey into UX), waiting the requisite number of days for my test to be approved and for the funds to be transferred to my PayPal account, and then transferring the funds from my PayPal account to my bank account. I learned a lot from the testing process as a newbie UXer, but it was not quick.

A completed test notification on Ferpection.com.

How much you earn from a test depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to:

The user testing platform

The test duration

The type of test you’re doing

It’s typical to earn around $10 for a standard 20 minute test, give or take currency conversions. You’ll earn more for longer tests (in theory) and live sessions with researchers (sometimes known as moderated tests).

It’s always worth weighing up your reasons for doing user testing with what you want to get out of the experience. In my case, I want to learn while earning. I refuse to spend time on lengthy tests that pay under the $10 average, but will happily spend 5 minutes on a few questions that I know will earn me about 50p.

Screenshot of full user tests on Ferpection.com

User testing is not a replacement income. It’s not even a reliable income — it’s a very occasional income boost.

The user testing platform is not your boss.

In the context of user testing, you are your own boss. You decide what work you do or don’t want to take on. The platform merely acts as an intermediary between you and the client you’re doing the test for (e.g: a takeaway company).

You’re essentially working as a freelance contractor. This means that you have to manage your own taxes for any money that you earn through user testing work, if you end up earning enough to pay tax on it (which is unlikely, but I guess you never know).

Example FAQ from UserCrowd.com

Again, your mileage may vary according to the user testing platform you use, so it’s worth checking the platform FAQ for more details. Also, bear in mind that I’m based in the UK. Taxes might work differently in your country!