User Interviews

User Interviews Review 

We recently signed up for UserInterviews, a user testing site that connects businesses with potential users to get feedback on products and services. In this review, we’ll share our experience from a tester’s perspective, including the sign-up process, earning opportunities, and overall usability.

Is User Interviews a legit survey site? 

Yes, User Interviews is a legitimate facilitator of online user testing and UX research. In our experience, they pay rewards as promised and on time. The majority of reviews on sites like TrustPilot are also positive, with hundreds of users satisfied with the experience as a tester.

How to get started 

We really like the level of transparency on User Interview’s website. Before even deciding on signing up, you can actually check out all their live studies. This includes the description for each project, the length of the study in minutes, the basic requirements and the compensation.  This is much better than survey sites shrouded in mystery, where it’s impossible to work out the compensation level.

The formats you can choose from include:

• In Person: The study takes place at a physical location.
• Over the Phone: You’ll be answering questions over the phone.
• Online: The interaction happens online.

The study types you can choose from include:

• 1-on-1 interview: Usually takes place over a video conference call or phone.
• Focus group: You’ll be answering questions in a group setting with a moderator.
• Multi-day study: You’ll be contributing to the same study on a regular basis.
• Unmoderated task: You’ll be given a task providing feedback online, not moderated by a person.

If you think you will enjoy these activities, it’s a simple task to register. Make sure to verify your phone number and connect your LinkedIn or Facebook account to increase your chances of qualifying. After filling out your basic demographic information, head to the “browse studies” section to see which studies you can apply for.

These studies are already pre-filtered, but you’ll need to check their descriptions if they are worth applying for.  When you click “Apply” you’ll get a set of screener questions which will determine if you go to the next level to be reviewed by the researcher in charge of the project. After this point, you’ll simply need to wait to see if you’re accepted or not.

Unmoderated vs. Moderated tasks

When participating in studies on the User Interviews platform you’ll encounter two main types of user testing tasks:

Type 1: Moderated UX research

Moderated UX research studies involve a researcher who facilitates the study by guiding the participant through the research process, asking questions, and gathering feedback in real-time. This type of research often takes place in person, but it can also be conducted remotely through video conferencing software. The researcher can ask follow-up questions, clarify any confusion, and probe further into the participant’s thought process to gain a deeper understanding of their experience.

Moderated studies from User Interviews tend to be better paid than unmoderated studies, but they also take more time and require more involvement from the participant’s side. Moderated studies also need to be scheduled in advance, which might not always be at the most convenient time for the participant.

Type 2: Unmoderated UX research – Online feedback

In contrast, unmoderated UX research studies involve participants completing tasks and providing feedback independently, often through an online platform. The researcher provides instructions and materials for the study and then steps back, allowing participants to complete the tasks and provide feedback on their own. Unmoderated studies are typically faster and more flexible than moderated studies, which means the pay associated with these studies is also less than moderated ones.

An advantage of these studies in comparison to unmoderated studies is that they don’t need to be scheduled in advance. In this way, User Interviews participants just need to make sure to complete the project before the deadline runs out.

As you can see from the screenshot below, each tester is rated by User Interview’s client after the project has ended. So if you’re looking to maximize your earning potential it’s important to do your best to get a good rating, especially in the beginning. The way to do this is to provide valuable feedback by answering questions attentively and honestly

What type of companies will I be assisting?

User Interviews is working with many different types of companies requiring UX research. Here are some examples of companies you’ll be assisting:

1. Technology companies: Technology companies that develop digital products, such as software, apps, websites, and devices, often conduct UX research to ensure that their products are user-friendly and meet the needs of their target audience.
2. Design agencies: Design agencies that specialize in creating digital products and services for clients often conduct UX research as part of their design process. This research helps them to understand the needs of their client’s customers and create products that meet those needs.
3. E-commerce companies: E-commerce companies that sell products online conduct UX research to improve the user experience of their websites and apps. This research helps them to understand how customers interact with their products and how they can improve the buying process.
4. Financial institutions: Banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions conduct UX research to improve the usability of their websites and apps, as well as to better understand the needs and behaviours of their customers.

Note that user testing sessions that involve human interactions such as 1:1 interviews and focus groups need to be scheduled in advance, see the example below:

How much can you make with User Interviews? 

The amount you can make on User Interviews varies a great deal from study to study. Online surveys are paid the least, while moderated 1:1 sessions are usually paid the most. Also, the payment varies depending on how hard it is to reach the target group. As an example, if the researcher is only looking for CTOs (Chief Technology Officers), the compensation is likely to be many times higher than for a study requiring anyone working in IT. 

Here are some examples of compensation levels:

• Beauty products – 1:1 interview – 30 minutes – $30
• Website improvement – Unmoderated task – 40 minutes – $40
• HR and CTO leaders – 1:1 interview – 30 minutes – $300
• Test of a new tool for marketing – Unmoderated task – 10 minutes – $15
• Mobile gamer – 1:1 interview – 60 minutes – $80
• Supply chain management – Unmoderated task – 15 minutes – $20

As you can see from the above examples, many of the studies are awarded $1 per minute. For target groups that are more difficult to reach such as C-level leaders, the compensation can be significantly higher.

After completing the study, you will be paid without having to worry about reaching a minimum threshold amount. Payment options include PayPal, Amazon gift card, Visa gift card, or other digital gift cards. However, these vary from study to study. If a study pays you in cash via PayPal or direct bank transfer, the researcher will pay you, not User Interviews. In the case of gift cards, the site will distribute the rewards. Payment by direct bank transfer takes up to 10 business days to be credited, while you will receive the gift cards within one to two days.

User Interviews Pros and cons

On the positive side, User Interviews offers cash payments for completed projects, and compensation is fair and transparent. The non-existing payment threshold is also a big plus, making it easy for participants to cash out their earnings without having to accumulate points over time. In addition, the reward system is transparent, ensuring that users are paid for their time and effort.

Also, the site provides excellent support for its participants, with a dedicated team that is always available to answer any questions or concerns. This level of support ensures that participants have a positive experience and are more likely to return for future projects.

However, it can also be difficult to qualify for projects, and the earning opportunities can be limited if you don’t belong to the most popular demographics. While cash payments are available for most projects, they are not always an option, which can be frustrating for users who prefer this payment method.

Additionally, participating in moderated user testing sessions can be time-consuming. While well-paid, these sessions are often a lot more intense than simply providing feedback online. Moderated sessions also need to be scheduled in advance, which means you’ll need to fit this into your calendar.

All in all, we think User Interviews is a great user testing site that offers fair compensation, a transparent reward system, and excellent support for its participants. While there are some potential downsides, the site is a great option for those looking to earn cash by testing products and services.