Rating Online Surveys - Which Ones Pay, Which Ones Don't

Now that I have been doing surveys for about six months, I can let you know what I have found in terms of pay and frequency of surveys. I bought a list of survey places (which I offer to you in my best business list) But I can save you even more time and give you the low down on which ones will make you more money. Let me also add that focus groups through these same survey companies make you the most money hands down. They usually are offered to you after completing quite a few surveys. They are generally online focus groups, so all you need is your computer to join in the discussion. The pay for these is always higher. I have participated in focus groups that pay fifty dollars to one hundred dollars for only an hour of your time. Don't refuse an invitation for one of these!

Testspin

Good: The most surveys that came in my inbox were from Testspin. These always had a cash reward that usually averaged $4.00 but went from $2.00 to $7.50 per survey. I got about three to five survey invitations a day.

Bad: The vast majority of surveys are only for American residents. If you are from another Country you will be disappointed.

Web Perspectives

Good: Web Perspectives also sent survey invitations on a daily basis after the first month. They give sweepstake entry rewards frequently and less frequently give cash incentives and your choice of payment. They also give the most focus group invitations.

Bad: It is hard to contact them if there is a problem with a payment. They do however, pay what they say.

TNS

Good: They send a survey invitation almost everyday. The surveys are not usually that time consuming, so it isn't a hassle to do them. They give sweepstakes points as rewards but on occassion they offer Amazon gift certificates.

Bad: Nothing really bad to report. I do wish they had less sweepstake entries and more gift certificates.

Global Test Market:

Good: They send one or two invitations per day to me. They offer points that you can redeem.

Bad: Some of the surveys I have done have taken five minutes of my time and then they decide I don't qualifty. That is a waste of time and you get nothing for it. I also find they have the longest, most drawn out surveys for the least amount of reward.

Ispo I Say

Good: They offer points for your time. They send many invitations. They also give you an instant win game of sweepstakes entry points, even if you don't qualify for the survey.

Bad: The surveys are sometimes too long for the reward offered.

Greenfield Online:

Good: They send surveys twice a day usually. They have cash incentives often after the first couple of months of doing surveys.

Bad: I have often received cash incentive surveys that I don't qualify for. Why are they sending it if they know immediately that I don't qualify for that particular survey?

Summary:

The best one for Americans is Testspin, with no doubt. They always have good cash incentives and send a lot of surveys.
The best one for Canadians is Web Perspectives. They invite for high paying focus groups and have pretty good incentives.