Make Money Testing Websites: A 2024 Beginner’s Guide

You’re Already an Expert. It’s Time to Get Paid for It.

Think about how many websites and apps you use every single day. You scroll through social media, you order food, you check your bank balance, you browse for new shoes. You instinctively know when a site is confusing, when a button is hard to find, or when an app just feels… clunky. What if I told you that exact opinion—the one you probably mutter to yourself under your breath—is a valuable skill? It is. And companies are willing to pay you for it. Welcome to the world where you can make money testing websites and apps, a legitimate and surprisingly accessible side hustle you can start today.

This isn’t some far-fetched internet dream. It’s a real industry called usability testing. Companies, from tiny startups to giants like Google and Microsoft, desperately need to know how real people experience their digital products before they launch them to the masses. A small design flaw can cost them millions. That’s where you come in. You become their eyes and ears, their first line of defense against bad user experience. All you need is a computer, a microphone, and the ability to speak your thoughts out loud. Seriously, that’s the core of the job.

Key Takeaways:

• Website and app testing is a legitimate way to earn extra income by providing feedback on digital products.
• You don’t need any special technical skills—just a computer, internet connection, and a microphone.
• Earnings typically range from $10 to $20 for a 15-20 minute test, with more specialized tests paying much more.
• Success depends on providing clear, detailed, and honest verbal feedback while navigating a site or app.
• Consistency and building a good reputation on multiple platforms is key to receiving a steady stream of test invitations.

So, What Exactly *Is* Website and App Testing?

Let’s clear something up right away: this is not about being a professional software developer who hunts for complex code bugs. Not at all. User testing, or usability testing, is all about the experience. Companies want to watch and listen as a regular person, just like you, uses their product for the first time.

Here’s what a typical test looks like:

1. You’ll be given a specific website or app to look at.
2. You’ll receive a set of tasks to complete. For an e-commerce site, it might be something like: “Imagine you’re looking for a blue running shoe in a size 9. Find one and add it to your cart, but do not complete the purchase.”
3. You’ll turn on a screen recorder (provided by the testing platform) and your microphone.
4. As you perform the tasks, you speak your thoughts out loud. This is the most crucial part! You narrate your entire journey. “Okay, I’m on the homepage now. The main image is nice. I’m looking for shoes… I see a ‘Men’s’ category at the top, I’ll click that. Now I need to find the color filter. Hmm, it’s on the left side, that’s what I expected. Let’s see if they have blue… yes, they do. This is pretty easy so far.”

Your feedback helps designers and developers understand what’s working, what’s confusing, and what’s frustrating. Is the ‘Add to Cart’ button obvious? Is the navigation menu logical? Does the checkout process make sense? Your real-time, unfiltered thoughts are pure gold to them.

Why Do Companies Throw Money at This?

It might seem strange that a multi-billion dollar company cares about your personal opinion on their button placement, but it’s all about return on investment (ROI). It is infinitely cheaper and easier to fix a design flaw *before* a product is launched to millions of users than it is to fix it afterward.

Think about it. A confusing checkout process could lead to thousands of abandoned carts every single day. An app that crashes on a specific phone model could lead to a flood of one-star reviews and tank its reputation. A single 20-minute test that costs them $10 or $20 could uncover a problem that saves them hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue and development costs down the line. When you look at it that way, paying you for your time is an absolute bargain for them.

Getting Started: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

The barrier to entry for website testing is incredibly low, which is what makes it so appealing. You likely already have everything you need. Here’s a quick rundown:

• A Computer or Smartphone: Most tests are for desktops/laptops, but mobile app testing is a huge and growing market. Having both opens up more opportunities.
• A Reliable Internet Connection: You’ll be uploading screen recording files, so a stable connection is non-negotiable.
• A Microphone: Your laptop’s built-in mic might work, but it’s often not great. A simple USB headset with a microphone (even a basic $20 gaming headset) will make a world of difference in your audio quality. Clear audio is critical for getting a good rating.
• A PayPal Account: This is the universal payment method for nearly all user testing platforms. Make sure you have a verified account ready to go.
• The Ability to Speak English: While some platforms offer tests in other languages, the vast majority are in English. You don’t need to be a poet, just able to communicate your thoughts clearly.
• A Quiet Space: You need to be able to record for 15-20 minutes without a dog barking, a baby crying, or a TV blaring in the background.

The Best Platforms to Make Money Testing Websites and Apps

Okay, this is the part you’ve been waiting for. Where do you actually find these gigs? You don’t pitch companies directly. Instead, you sign up for third-party platforms that act as the middlemen. They connect companies looking for testers with people like you. It’s a good idea to sign up for several of them, as the number of available tests can fluctuate based on your demographic profile.

UserTesting

This is the 800-pound gorilla of the user testing world. UserTesting is the oldest, most well-known, and arguably the most reputable platform. They work with major brands and because of that, they tend to have a higher volume of tests available. To get started, you’ll need to take a practice test to prove you can follow instructions and articulate your thoughts clearly. Don’t rush this! Your performance on the practice test determines whether you get approved. Payments are typically $10 for a standard 15-20 minute test, and they pay out exactly 7 days after you complete a test via PayPal. They also have longer, moderated live interviews that can pay $30, $60, or even more for an hour of your time.

TryMyUI

Similar to UserTesting, TryMyUI (now part of the UserZoom/IntelliZoom family) offers a steady stream of testing opportunities. They pay $10 per test, which usually lasts about 20 minutes. The interface is straightforward, and they provide a clear set of tasks to follow. One unique thing about TryMyUI is their post-test written survey, where you might be asked to rate the site on a few metrics. Make sure your written answers are as thoughtful as your verbal ones. They pay out via PayPal twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Userlytics

Userlytics is another major player that offers tests for websites, apps, and even prototypes. The pay structure is more variable here. Tests can pay anywhere from $5 to $90, depending entirely on the length and complexity of the project. A simple 5-minute survey might be $5, while a complex, hour-long moderated session could be $90. You get to see the payout before you accept the test, which is a nice feature. Once your test result is approved, payment is sent to your PayPal account.

IntelliZoom

IntelliZoom (formerly WhatUsersDo) offers a few different types of studies. There are simple card-sorting or tree-testing studies that take just a few minutes and pay around $2. Then there are the more standard think-aloud video studies that last 15-20 minutes and pay $10. They have a high volume of the smaller, quicker studies, so it can be a good way to stack up small earnings throughout the day. Payment is made via PayPal about 21 business days after your study is approved.

Userfeel

Userfeel is a great platform, especially for those new to testing. They provide a lot of guidance and examples of what makes a good test. You’ll take a qualification test, and based on its quality, you’ll get your first rating which influences how many paid tests you receive. They pay $10 per test, which usually takes 10-20 minutes. Payment is sent via PayPal about one week after your test is approved. They have a solid reputation and are known for being very responsive to their tester community.

How to Be a *Great* Tester (And Get More Gigs)

Getting approved on these platforms is the first step. But to get a steady stream of test invitations, you need to be a high-quality tester. The platforms, and the clients themselves, rate your performance. A high rating means you get first dibs on new tests. A low rating means you’ll see your invitations dry up fast. Here’s how you earn a 5-star rating every time.

1. Talk. Constantly. This is the golden rule. Silence is your enemy. Narrate everything you’re doing, seeing, and thinking. If you’re confused, say you’re confused and explain why. If you like something, say you like it and explain why. The client wants to be inside your head. Fill the audio with your stream of consciousness.
2. Follow Instructions to the Letter. Read every task carefully before you start it. If it says “find a blue shoe,” don’t go looking for red boots. If it says “do not click the checkout button,” then don’t you dare click it. Seemingly small deviations can invalidate the entire test.
3. Provide Actionable, Specific Feedback. Good feedback is more than just “I don’t like this.” Great feedback is “I don’t like the placement of this ‘Sign Up’ button. I expected to find it in the top right corner of the screen, but it’s buried down here in the footer. It feels hidden.” See the difference? One is an opinion, the other is a constructive observation.
4. Be Brutally Honest, but Polite. Don’t worry about hurting the designer’s feelings. They are paying you for your honest, unfiltered reaction. If the site is a confusing mess, say so. But frame it constructively. Instead of “This is ugly,” try “The color scheme feels a bit jarring, and the text is difficult to read against this background.”
5. Check Your Tech Before You Start. Nothing is worse than completing a 20-minute test only to realize your microphone wasn’t recording. Do a quick 10-second test recording before you begin any paid test. Ensure your audio is clear and at a good volume.
6. Set the Scene. At the beginning of a test, it can be helpful to verbally set the stage for the client. For example: “Okay, so the scenario is I’m a 35-year-old dad looking for a birthday gift for my daughter. I’m on the homepage now and my first impression is…” This helps them understand your mindset and perspective.

“The difference between a good tester and a great tester is the level of detail in their commentary. A good tester says ‘I can’t find the search bar.’ A great tester says ‘My eyes are naturally drawn to the top right of the page for a search bar, but I’m not seeing one here. I’m now scanning the main menu… still nothing. This is frustrating because my first instinct when I can’t find something is to search for it.'”

A Realistic Look at Your Earning Potential

Let’s manage expectations. Is testing websites going to replace your full-time job? For 99% of people, the answer is no. You should view this as an excellent and flexible side hustle—a way to earn an extra $100, $200, or maybe even $500+ a month depending on your demographics and quality score.

The number of tests you receive is highly dependent on your demographic profile (age, gender, location, income level, etc.). A company selling retirement plans will want to test with users over 50. A company launching a new makeup app will want to test with young women. You won’t qualify for every test, and that’s completely normal. No one does.

The key is to have all the testing platform browser extensions installed and to act fast when a screener pops up. Tests are often first-come, first-served. If you can quickly complete the initial screening questions, you have a much better chance of landing the gig.

Conclusion

The ability to make money testing websites is one of the most accessible work-from-home opportunities available today. It respects your time, pays fairly, and requires skills you already possess. You are providing an incredibly valuable service to companies, helping them build better products for everyone. By signing up for a few platforms, focusing on delivering high-quality, detailed feedback, and maintaining a good rating, you can easily add a significant new income stream to your monthly budget. So, the next time you find yourself frustrated with a confusing app, remember: that frustration is a marketable skill. It’s time to put it to work.

FAQ

How quickly can I start earning money?

You can start earning almost immediately after being approved. Most platforms require a one-time qualification test. Once you pass it (which can take a day or two to be reviewed), you’ll start receiving invitations for paid tests. You could realistically complete your first paid test within a few days of signing up.

Is this a scam? Is it safe?

It is absolutely not a scam, provided you stick to the reputable platforms mentioned in this article (like UserTesting, TryMyUI, etc.). These are established companies with major clients. You will never be asked to provide your credit card information (unless testing a checkout process with a fake number they provide) or sensitive personal data beyond standard demographics. Your screen recordings are used for internal research purposes only.

How many tests can I expect to get per week?

This is the most common question, and the hardest to answer. It varies wildly based on your demographics, your quality rating, and sheer luck. Some weeks you might get 5-10 tests. Other weeks you might only get one or two. That’s why it’s crucial to sign up for multiple platforms to maximize your chances of being selected for a study.