In Pursuit of Reputable Paid Online Surveys

Internet has certainly changed the way people do business today, much of the companies today have their website on the internet for the communication between the consumer and the corporate sector to interact with each other to benefit from this technology. It has also modernized the way people conduct surveys today. Using human resource as was used in the past, handing out copies of survey sheets to people, to participate and gather them back has been time consuming and a tedious job.

Paid Surveys: Taking a look inside!

The process is fairly simple. Anyone who would want to participate in an online survey would need to sign up an account on the trusted survey website. Enter the details asked in the sign up form and most probably an automated email message is sent at the end of the sign up by the online survey site to confirm that the email address is active and that further communication between both the parties can take place as needed by the web administrator. Anytime when a new survey is to be conducted, an email is sent to the member to give out some feedback or reviews on some product or a website. In turn, it helps them conduct market research to increase their knowledge about what a prospect consumer or a visitor to a website might think according to their point of view so that they can incorporate the required changes before launching them into the market.

What’s in it for the participant? 

A volunteer provides the data that makes up the statistics so that the market research company can learn more from consumer experience. The participant would be rewarded in most commonly one of the three ways: 

	A small sum of cash would be rewarded
	They can earn points to redeem for prizes
	They might also reward in terms of a product, which could be tried out for free.
	Gift Cards
	Sweepstakes

Pitfalls: Survey Scams 

It is very easy for anyone who is in pursuit of reputable paid online surveys to fall for scams. Internet is riddled with websites that are claiming to be a reputable paid online survey sites with numerous testimonials and screen shots of paychecks. They might even try to ensnare a visitor on their website by showing a table which displays that few minutes on a survey each day would earn them a handsome amount of money. But the truth is no reputable paid online survey site would be able to replace a full time day job. 

Online Survey Site With Membership Fee: A Wakeup Call! 

Beware of such sites, as they are most probably fraudulent sites asking for information that should only be given out to trusted websites with secure internet connections such as social security number or credit card number details. Such details can easily be used by any imposter for personal gains. Since the valuable information that should have been protected is now ready to be misused. A good rule of thumb is to avoid joining such websites; they are proven to be hoax most of the time. 

Why the pursuit? 

A buzz of earning money easily over the internet had made many people inquisitive to demystify the myth, where anyone without the need for any technical skills can earn while being at their home, spending few minutes a day can have them earn good cash. The thought that one could work hard in a relaxed manner without travelling any distance has many people from all around the world, from all walks of life seek if there truly is a website that offers all that is claimed to be a get rich quick method.

What It Takes To Be A Volunteer: 

	An internet enabled device that can access the online survey site.
	An active email account to sign up on the website, which might also be used to receive new survey forms
	Last but not the least, Time!

What To Look For? 

While you are on your hunt spree for an authentic survey site by googling keywords such as 'reputable paid online surveys’ to become a paid volunteer for a survey site, there are few things that need to be taken under consideration to save oneself from online fraud or scams. 

	If the company is registered with Better Business Bureau, then it confirms that the site is reliable.
	Talk to people; seek individuals who are pursuing the same goal as you are to get paid by completing survey forms. You never know what valuable piece of information you might get.
	Lastly if you want to make sure that you are not taking part in any kind of spam, try searching for posts and learn about the various surveys sites on www.scam.comor www.ripoffreport.com

There can be a downside for the online surveys conducted for the companies i.e. it is giving an incentive to the participants to lie about their reviews or feedback which may be because that they might not have knowledge on that subject or they don't qualify for the requirement of age, sex or location. Due to mistaken identity or lack of information by the volunteer, the company might not be able to get the right picture and misjudge to take the right decisions to harness this useful utility. 

This can also be the other way around i.e. website sells off your contact information to spammers. A good piece of advice would be to sign up online survey sites through an alternate or secondary email account so that you don’t become a victim of it. 

Tip: You can keep a log of your daily workout on a spreadsheet to keep a check if you are signed up at various survey sites. 

A popular list of reputable paid online surveys

www.pineconeresearch.com

It is one of the most reputed survey sites on the web. Currently it is giving $5 for each complete survey which takes an average of 10 minutes by the volunteers to complete. Signing up at pinecone research would be difficult since they are not hiring any new recruits. To get a way around is that search for an advertisement or a banner that is displayed on some website and may be you will get lucky! Pinecone gives away checks to the volunteers who participate for online surveys. In future it might give its volunteers the option to choose between taking a check or get it transferred to a paypal account. 

www.surveysavvy.com

Survey Savvy is another great survey site which only pays out its volunteers through cash. Anyone can easily go up to the site and become its member. Survey Savvy also gives extra rewards for the referrals that sign up and complete the surveys. Each survey earns you about $1-$2 and if your amount reaches $4 then you can cash it out. Survey Savvy has a lot of potential to make volunteers rich who can have a number of referrals to sign up and fill surveys which would be making money for primary volunteers. 

www.lightspeedpanel.com

Lightspeedpanel has a different approach altogether. The site keeps the accountability of the volunteer on the basis of point system. In which 1000 pts equals to about $10 which can be redeemed through cash or transfer to a paypal account. It also distinguishes itself from other contemporary survey sites by giving away products to test, which can be used to give feedback and later on they might ask you to keep it. You can also enter into sweep stakes by answering a small survey or mini poll. 

www.harrispollonline.com

Harrispollonline is unique in a way that it gives out gift cards as rewards for completing surveys. It also works on point system. 

www.surveyspot.com

Surveyspot is also a trusted name among other survey sites on the web. It’s a huge Survey company that has given out cash as much as $75 for an hour for a survey on phone. It pays out in the form of cash or check.

Conclusion: 

If you are a newbie in this field, it’s probable that you might face a lot of difficulties before you actually end up at a site that has really something to offer you. But never the less there are sites that are offering what they have promised to give away. People have succeeded in their pursuit of reputable paid online surveys.