Make Money Online: 5 Free Survey Sites

Would you like to make money from home? Do you have a computer with Internet access? Voice your opinion online and get paid for it.

The Internet is home to thousands of survey sites, consumer research panels and other market research opportunities. Many of these services are free to join.

Online survey taking is a way for moms, students, seniors and even professionals to earn a little extra income each month. Survey takers work from home, the office, their favorite coffee shop, the public library or anywhere there is Internet access or a Wi-Fi connection.

Survey sites normally pay between $2 and $5 per survey, so you won't get rich this way. But if you take a few surveys each week, maybe at night while your family is watching television, you could earn $20 or $30 per month.

Most survey sites pay you by check or PayPal deposit when you reach the cash-out threshold. Some sites pay in "virtual cash" that you accumulate and redeem for merchandise or gift cards. Most sites offer bonus pay or other incentives when you refer someone to the site.

Use caution when you sign up for a survey site. Not all sites are trustworthy. Avoid participating in a site that charges you a registration fee, and be on the lookout for scams. Here are five free survey sites to explore if you want to make money online from your home computer.

MindField Online internet panels are operated by McMillion Research, a leading United States data collection firm. Starting with door-to-door surveys in 1970, Mindfield made the switch to telephone surveys in 1980. Two decades later, the company introduced MindField Online with online data collection and Internet panels.

MindField Online looks for current data trends in different areas: electronics and entertainment; groceries and brands; health and ailments; and more. To become a panelist, visit the survey website, open an account and complete the membership questionnaires. MindField Online sends periodic email invitations to candidates who qualify for their surveys.

The payout for MindField survey accounts is $5, but you can allow your account to grow before cashing out. The company will process your payout requests within a week and mail you a check.

McMillion Research is based in Charleston, West Virginia. The company has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2004.

Sources: McMillion Research, Better Business Bureau

MySurvey is part of Lightspeed Research, a leading data collection service with offices around the world. The firm established its first mail panel in 1937 and conducted the first telephone interview in 1970. Since 1996, Lightspeed Research has become a leading provider of online research and data collection.

MySurvey has been collecting consumer opinions since 1946 as National Family Opinion, NFO and TNS. The online site was created in 2001 to enable easy research and data collection.

MySurvey may or may not be accepting new candidates at any given time. If the site allows registration when you visit, open a free account and complete the personal questionnaires. Then wait for an email invitation to join the service. Members receive reward points for completed surveys, which they redeem for cash and prizes.

Lightspeed Research has global headquarters in Warren, New Jersey. Lightspeed Research and MySurvey are owned by WPP, a global leader in marketing communications services.

Source: Lightspeed Research, WPP

SurveySavvy is part of Luth Research, a market research company founded in 1977. The company started with a focus group facility and telephone call center, and both are essential to its work today.

In 1999, Luth Research launched SurveySavvy, an online community of consumers and business professionals from around the world. A patented referral system recruits and compensates community members.

SurveySavvy targets certain demographic groups based on criteria established by Luth Research clients. Qualified members receive email invitations to participate in surveys.

As a member of SurveySavvy, you receive incentives for each survey that is completed by you, your referrals and your referrals' referrals. The cashout threshold is $1, but you can allow your income to grow before requesting a payout. SurveySavvy pays by check within four to twelve weeks of your payment request.

Based in San Diego, California, Luth Research has been an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau since 1993.

Sources: Luth Research, Better Business Bureau

The Toluna Internet panel community is owned and operated by the Toluna Group, the world's largest online market research and survey technology company. Its proprietary Web 2.0 survey panels embrace the social media concept.

Toluna merged with Greenfield Online in 2009, when the French-based Toluna Group acquired the well-known Greenfield site from Microsoft Corporation. A successful Internet survey business since 1994, Greenfield Online became a Microsoft acquisition in 2008.

Toluna registration is quick, easy and free. Surveys pay virtual currency in the form of points that you can redeem for cash rewards. You can receive social reward points based on member recommendations. As a Toluna member, you are also eligible for up to $2,500 in monthly drawings.

Toluna is based in Paris, France. Their United States offices are located in Wilton, Connecticut.

Sources: Toluna Group, Greenfield Online Blog

The Valued Opinions survey site is owned and operated by Research Now, a global data collection company based in London, England. Research Now has over six million panelists in more than 30 countries worldwide.

The Research Now parent company, e-Rewards, has headquarters in Plano, Texas. In addition to Valued Opinions, Research Now also operates e-Rewards Opinion Panels.

Valued Opinions is free to join and surveys arrive by email invitation. The surveys pay in reward points redeemable for cash. When your account reaches $20, you can request one of two vouchers: a paper voucher or an Amazon voucher. Vouchers arrive within 28 days of your payment request.

Research Now has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2005.

Sources: Research Now, e-Rewards, Better Business Bureau

Copyright © 2011. Annette R. Smith. All rights reserved.

Published: June 10, 2011 / Modified: December 13, 2012.

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