Here’s the latest entry in our side hustle case study series, where real people share how they make extra money in their spare time!
This week, Victoria from Lylia Rose talks about an easy and interesting way to make money online – testing websites. I can personally vouch for this side hustle, as I do it occasionally too!
Victoria’s Tips on Making Money with Website Testing
Tell us a little about yourself and your side hustle.
I’m Victoria, 33 years old, living in Gloucestershire with my husband Ben and our two young children, Bella and Reuben, who are 6 and 3. I’m a full-time blogger with three blogs of my own, and I also manage my husband’s blog. Besides blogging, I have a few side hustles each month to boost our income, and they’re fun too! One of my favorites is testing websites with a company called WhatUsersDo.
How long have you been doing this side hustle? How did you get into it?
I signed up for the platform in March 2017 but didn’t start until January 2018. Initially, I was nervous it would be complicated or time-consuming, but I was wrong. I should have started much sooner! I’ve been actively doing it for a year now. I don’t remember exactly how I found out about it, but I’m always looking for ways to make money from home, so I probably saw another money blogger mention it.
What does the work involve? What does a typical work session look like for you?
The work varies, but essentially, you view a new website design or function and share your thoughts. You’ll download software that records your screen and voice as you test the website. You’ll be given tasks or questions to guide you. Usually, you speak aloud to express your thoughts as you navigate the site, explaining why you’d click certain buttons or what you think of the design. Tests can take from 5 to 20 minutes. They are sporadic, so some days there might be several tests, and other days none.
How much can you make doing website testing?
I make anywhere from £5 to £60 per month, so it’s really just pocket money. It’s a side hustle for me, and I don’t always have time to accept tests right away, so I make less than what’s possible. It’s a first-come, first-served platform, so tests go quickly. If you can access and complete them quickly, you might make more than I do. Some tests have criteria, so you need to answer a few questions to see if you’re the right fit.
Are there any start-up costs or ongoing expenses?
No, there are no startup or ongoing costs. All you need is a laptop or desktop computer. Some tests require an iPad, iPhone, or Android device, so you’ll need those if you want to accept those tests. To get started, just sign up and complete the audition test. They’ll email you whenever a test is available.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start?
Just sign up and try the audition test. This will show you what’s expected and help you decide if it’s something you want to do. If you sign up, make sure to accept tests quickly, or you might miss out. They usually need a certain number of participants, and once they have enough, the test will no longer be available, even if you received an email about it. Don’t rely on it as a steady income, but see it as extra cash that’s relatively easy to earn each month.
Any recommended websites or resources?
I share my experience of working with What Users Do on my blog. If you want to sign up, here’s the link.
Where can we find you?
You can find me blogging at my three blogs: Lylia Rose, Healthy Vix, and Travel Vixta. Or follow and connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Thanks, Victoria! I also do some website testing, and it’s a great and lesser-known way to make extra money! You can increase your chances of getting tests by signing up with several different companies.