Types of Paid Surveys

When you decide to pursue paid online surveys, you may not know exactly what to expect. There are several different types of surveys, and you will probably encounter every type of survey in your new part-time job filling out surveys.

Online Surveys

The most common type of survey is just the plain vanilla online survey, in which you fill out multiple-choice, true/false or short answer questions. Many market research firms use these simple surveys, some short and some longer, to conduct research for their clients.

Focus Groups

Focus groups are chat sessions, sometimes conducted by typing and sometimes with voice software or by telephone. You and a group of other people will answer questions and give opinions on a particular topic. Discussion groups are much like focus groups.

Mail / Phone Surveys

Some research firms also use mail and phone surveys to conduct research for their clients. You will sign up for these surveys online, and then participate by mailing in a survey form or taking part in a telephone survey.

Product Reviews

A favorite among survey takers is the product review. You may be asked to review a product which the company will send you. Sometimes you are allowed to keep the product, which makes this a very popular survey form. You may also be asked to review products you already own, which is not as exciting, but is still a nice source of income.

Product Testing

Another popular form of survey is the taste test. These surveys are obviously not conducted entirely online, but you may sign up for a taste test through your regular survey companies online, and then take the taste test at a location near you.