How to Improve the Internet and Get Paid for Your Opinion

Priyanka Jain
Sep 8, 2018 · 7 min read

If you are a student, homemaker or someone who wants to earn some extra income and want your opinions to be considered in shaping future products (apps/websites) and be part of the change, then you’ve landed on the right article.

By reading this article you may be able to use your free time to get that extra income for paying your bills, so let’s get started.

You might be thinking… Wait what? Extra money and they will consider my opinion as well.

Original gif Credit: https://giphy.com/

Yes!! You heard it right. I became a USER ADVOCATE three months back and am earning since. Also, I help people improve their website and apps through my reviews.

What is a User Advocate?

A User Advocate is someone who can speak on behalf of users, that is you! User Advocates sign on to a test website or an app in development, to provide constructive feedback on how easy and friendly they are to use.

Yeah, you read that right! You are getting a chance to test out products (apps, websites, etc) while they are in development. Isn’t it interesting to be able to check the product before its release and help to make them better.

Do, I need to be an Engineer or a technical expertise?

No, you don’t have to be an engineer or have a specific technical expertise to be a website/mobile app tester. The only thing you need is access to Wi-Fi with an active Internet connection and an Android/ Apple smartphone/ tablet/phablet. Sometimes, you’ll need access to a Computer (Desktop/ Laptop), Microphone (built-in or accessory). You’re supposed to have an acceptable command over English 😛 and you must be at least 18+ years of age.

What are the things that I should know about?

There’s nothing in particular that you need to know. But there’s a thing that you must have — an opinion!

Most people have opinion but they just don’t have the right opportunity to express!!

  • Your opinions should not be just a simple “Good/Bad”
  • You have to elaborate on the problems that you face while using the app/website and also the things you like about it.
  • You should be willing to provide your suggestions on how an app or website could have worked better for you.

Benefits of becoming “USER ADVOCATE”

There are several benefits of becoming a “USER ADVOCATE. The list goes like this:

  1. You can voice your opinion. Yes, you heard it right you can review the apps and websites and can suggest the changes. If the change you suggested is significant and required it will definitely be considered.
  2. You can have a look over a product and use it, even before other people can see it.
  3. Sometimes, you can also get a test to check the new design of existing apps.
  4. You can flaunt to your friends 😆 that you know about the new update. It’s like predicting the future in front of them. Isn’t it cool?
  5. At last, you will earn for testing out the app and giving your thoughtful opinion😃

You can have a look at my earnings 😄

Okay! If the things I just said excites you and you are interested in becoming a “USER ADVOCATE”, the following are the steps to get you started:

  1. You need to make an account here.
  2. After that, you get an activation link on your email. Click that to activate your account.
  3. Bingo!! You are now a “USER ADVOCATE” but wait! You won’t have any tests available to you now. For that, you need to fill your details by answering some questions that will appear after you first login into your account. These questions actually tell which user demographic you belong to.

There are a total of over 40 questions. You need to answer all of them to get the tests.

Be honest while answering the questions because on the basis of that you will receive the tests.

Honesty saves everyone’s time.

So, being honest while answering will help you to get more tests and earn more.

4. Don’t be Greedy.

Greed makes man blind and foolish, and makes him an easy prey of death!! — by Rumi

Means don’t make multiple accounts to earn more money because of dishonesty in providing feedback. Having multiple accounts may render your account deactivated or banned, and credits forfeited if evidence has been validated.

5. Most tests require your voice recording and screen recording. You need to give feedback using your voice and make sure your voice is clear and you are using a good quality mic to get the reward. A bad quality audio is not useful to anyone, so quiet down that noise around you.

7. How will you get paid?

User Advocates get paid via PayPal and use other electronic means (such as e-gift and Alipay) mainly in countries where PayPal is not widely used. You will receive your payment within 7 days after completing a website or app test. The quality of the inputs is evaluated during that period.

A test is only considered complete when your screen recording is uploaded, so make sure you connect to Wi-Fi when you take the test.

8. Why your data is required?

Your personal data is used to select you for the right test or study, to process compensation.

9. How much can I earn?

Payment is commensurate with the complexity of the task or study. For task-based tests that record your think-out-loud audio and video, average compensation is $10. For standard surveys, average compensation is $5. In-person interviews and user research average $100, and payment varies depending on length and complexity of study and user demographic.

10. How will I get to know am being selected for the test?

You will get a mail with all the details of the test and you just need to click on start user study. Then, once you’re invited to take a test, follow the instructions provided.

You’ll need to complete a one-time installation of UXArmy’s testing software to your device. Like for a web app test, it can be a Google Chrome extension and for a Mobile website test it will be this needs to be either an Android app here and to our IOS app here.

For mobile app testing and task-based tests, your screen is recorded while you take the test. Screen recording and voice recording is required for most tests. The instructions will tell you what’s required.

Once completed, you submit your test. A complete submission requires uploading your screen recording, which will automatically happen when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. (Wi-Fi is a must)

The most obvious question you may have is Why I am getting paid?

Original gif Credit: https://giphy.com/

So, to answer your query…

You are getting paid for taking a test and submitting your comments and suggestions along with the required recordings.

This is beneficial for the app creator or the businesses as they get the opinion of people and they can improve the product as per the requirements. So basically, you are getting paid for your opinion, suggestions and your feedback.

Tips for writing a good feedback:

  1. Write about everything and be clear. If it requires voice recording, speak loud and clear while doing each step and say whatever you feel by using this product.
  2. Add all the three points:
  • Pros: Like the good things in the app or websites according to you. Do mention them while providing the feedback both verbally as well as in written.
  • Cons: The things you don’t like. Maybe like a location of a button or a certain menu. Be blunt and speak or write each and every point.
  • Advice: Your advice is really important. If you feel like suggesting something or feels there is something missing or the product can be improved by adding the following thing. Please do mention it.

3. Receiving review gives businesses insights into what others thought of their work and that helps them to improve the product before the actual release.

4. You are getting a chance to make a change. Use that wisely by providing your important feedback.

Be the voice that can bring changes.

5. Be Descriptive.

Some example of a good feedback be like:

Try to write an effective feedback as much as possible.

If you are still in doubt or have any query you can comment below and from my side, I advise you to do join once. Give it a try.

You will surely enjoy the experience and that extra money won’t hurt you anyway.

For getting started click here.

NYC Design

A publication for designers in New York and followers all around the world. Design thinking is what makes us write here on Medium to share with the designers of the world.

Priyanka Jain

Written by

GSoC’19 Mentor at OWASP | GCI’18 Mentor at JBOSS | GSOC’18 Student with OWASP | Machine Learning Enthusiast | Android Developer | Google Udacity Scholar

NYC Design

A publication for designers in New York and followers all around the world. Design thinking is what makes us write here on Medium to share with the designers of the world.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade