5 Questions Every Mom Should Ask About Paid Surveys

OK, you're scouring the internet for mom-appropriate work. You've come across a bunch of opportunities to make some real money doing surveys. And, let's face it — you're probably a little bored.

That being said, it's important to ask the right questions before you leap into your new "job", because not all paid surveys are created equal. That's why we've put together this post for moms looking for side work on the internet and need to know what to watch out for.

1) What is the payment structure? Surveys should offer something in exchange for your valuable time, whether that be a set fee or some sort of commission based on how many surveys you take.

2) How do they distribute their surveys? A lot of survey sites will use random sampling to try to get a representative sample of the population. Others will ask you, for example, if you know of a certain brand or if you're interested in purchasing a certain product in the future. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and be sure to sign up for multiple monitors that have a range of demographics. You can also find out more about how sites distribute their surveys by checking out this FTC study.

3) Do I need training prior to starting? Some sites offer 1-on-1 or group training before you ever start taking surveys (keep an eye out for this). Others will give you a brief tutorial once you're registered. And, others will have a form where you can leave your contact information and they'll send you a copy of the training manual that lays out all the basics.

4) Do they offer guidebooks or resources? Guidebooks are great tools to help you navigate the world of online surveys — they often include tips and tricks on how to best use your time, how to handle survey invites, strategies for dealing with specific demographic groups within their site and other valuable information that can double as a shortcut when it comes to things like web research.

5) How do complaints get resolved? How does the company deal with unethical members or those that are ripping off the company like fake survey takers?"One of the ways that survey companies try to make sure their data is valid and accurate is by policing survey takers on their site. If they notice a member that's spamming their surveys, they'll either boot them off the site or stop sending them surveys (which means they could earn less money if they don't monitor these kinds of abuses). Either way, these situations shouldn't impact you unless you're doing something wrong."

6) What are the customer service options? Customer service should be an important consideration for paid survey sites. This can mean anything from a chat function through to an email submission system, but you should definitely look for a way to report or contact the company if you need immediate assistance. Some companies will have phone lines or email addresses specifically for customer service inquiries.

7) Do they send me surveys I'm not eligible for? If the site is not set up properly, it may offer surveys that you're not eligible to take, so it's important to do some research before signing up and making sure your demographic is covered by the terms and conditions. If in doubt, use our demographic tool to see what available surveys are available for your area.

8) How quickly do they pay? The sooner you can see the money from your surveys, the easier it will be to stick with it. That being said, some sites take several weeks to process your earnings. You should also look for a site that pays directly into your PayPal account — this is more secure and allows you to withdraw funds without any further fees (some sites require a $25 minimum withdrawal).

9) What are my check-in options? This one is especially important if you have kids or friends and family that might sign up using your email address. Some companies may offer check in options such as Facebook or social media profiles where you can "check in" at specific points in time to earn additional credits.

10) Are there other ways I can monetize my time and see money coming in? Yes, there are plenty of online side gigs to make a side income. A quick Google search will show you the best places to work and make some serious cash on the internet while you're working from home. That being said, it's important to have accurate information prior to signing up for money making opportunities. That's why we've put together this post for moms looking for side work on the internet and need to know what to watch out for.

Can You Make Money Taking Surveys?

All in all, yes, you can make money taking surveys. But, like most things in life — the old saying goes, "You're going to make money taking surveys as long as you don't spend money taking surveys"… and yes — there are definitely survey sites out there that will gladly take your hard-earned cash.

So begin by using our survey tool to look at what's out there and what's available based on your demographic. Then narrow that list down even more and sign up for just a few that you think will fit your lifestyle (and hopefully pay out too!). The more survey sites you're signed up for, the more money you'll make — but also, the more likely you are to get frustrated.

The bottom line is this — if you want to make some cash, it's worth it to take surveys. Just remember that 1) some will pay, 2) some will not pay and 3) there are a lot of bad apples out there. If a site has a high payout percentage and doesn't require too much of your time — great! But if it's slow to process your earnings or only offers pennies per hour — walk away. It might be worth your time and energy to try another site instead.

We appreciate the fact that you're reading this and hope that it helps you along the way to making some side money. The freedom of being your own boss, the flexibility of working from home and being able to have time for family are all great perks.

If you do decide to sign up for one of these sites, please let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from others and will be sure to share our thoughts on them as well.

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Conclusion

We hope that this guide helps all moms looking to make some extra cash! If you stick with it and try a few of the survey sites we listed here, you could be earning more money than you expected. Remember to have fun with it and enjoy the fact that you can work from home, on your own schedule — being able to spend more time with your family.