Annika's Product Testing / Beta Testing FAQ

Annika's Work From Home Product Testing FAQ

These are my own words and experiences. So please know others will have a different view.

What is Product Testing?

A. Testing a new product by letting customers use it before it is officially launched. It is also commonly called Beta Testing. It also means you will be working out bugs be it in software, hardware, websites, or other. So if you don't want to risk your computer, you may not want to do Beta Testing. As product testing IS working out bugs. However, 99% of the time Pinecone Research product tests have already hit the market! Product Testing can be referred to as: PT, Product Testing, Beta Testing, UX Testing, Review websites, Research Testing, Market Research Beta Testing, Game Testing, Website User Testing, and Clinical Research.

What are a few of your favorite Product Testing companies?

A. Pinecone Research Pinecone Research

Beta Bound - World Wide. Petite goldfish is the code to use when joining.

UTEST - Pay close attention to the directions!

My Opinion Now - Pays via Check

Survey Savvy - SurveySavvy


Can you list a few things you have product tested?

A. Legally, some no I can not. As I signed an agreement. I can, however, state some of the things I got in a general sense. Mixed meal pack, deodorant, hairspray, conditioner, pizzas, toothpaste, soups, socks, lotion, cigarettes, bubble bath, shampoo, WII games, a scanner, juice, rice, tissues, air purifier, printer, battery-powered toothbrush, remote control, webcam, kids toys, pet food, pet treats, OTC meds, candy, snacks, nail polish, makeup, cat litter, cleaners, soda, computer mouse, wireless keyboard, USB charger, and loads of types of software both for cells, and computers.

Are Product Tests a waste of time?

A. No. They can lead to all kinds of great things. Sometimes it can lead to on-going tests. Not just a one off!

Do I need any special equipment, programs, or software to take Surveys, Focus Groups or do Product Testing?

A. Yes, sometimes. Software would be Flash, Virus Software or Firewall, Java, some sort of Office program (Google docs) for reading word and PDF files, Skype, Zoom, Adobe and maybe a program to do screenshots such as GIMP. Skype and Zoom are for interviews you may have. You may need a printer, webcam, smartphone/cellphone, mic and of course internet. If you need any of these, be sure to check out the start free page.

What do you list yourself as if you do Surveys and other things like that?

A. Freelancer, contractor, self employed, internet related, professional services, personal services, or something as such I would think or simply as not employeed. It really depends like if you work in IT you could be a web designer, coder, graphics designer, etc. Try to be as honest as possible. You don't want to end up in a mess over the wrong job title or lies.

How were you paid to Product Test?

A. Check, voucher, Amazon gift certificates, various other gift cards, sweepstakes, Target gift cards, cash, coupons, early adopter access to key features of a program, and of course the product.

How can you ensure you get picked for Product Testing?

A. Take more than 10 minutes to do the Survey. Especially with Pinecone Research. Give full complete feedback to the questions you are being asked. The more you provide the more you may fit the "targeted audience." Don't try too hard! They can tell who is trying to fit their specs too.

How do I get more invites to Surveys, Focus Groups, and Product Testing?

A. Logging into your account is important. If you don't they think you aren't active why should they send you anything?

Do you have any warnings?

A. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. If it cost a fee, leave! If you have to fill in tons of offers to take part, leave. If you have a gut feeling, trust it. Also if you maintain a public blog and write about being on a diet, and you tell the Focus Group leader that you aren't, you can be removed and even banned from taking part in that company again. This is why you shouldn't lie, you will be found out. If you are going to test software, make sure you know what you are doing. You could end up having to format. Make sure your computer has all the necessary updates and virus pattern files to protect your data. If you sign up with market research companies that have you download a program to your computer chances are this app has a PROXY, VPS, Emulators, OR VPN. Market research websites DO NOT permit these! You can be banned from market research panels for doing this. Many members have reported this happening to them. Several companies that ask their members to do this are: Nielsen, Survey Savvy, Permission Research, and Opinion Square. Others ask for this access and offer large sums for X amount of months. It's not worth the risk. Also, if you are using a cell phone and they have you install a VPN, those too are against many company's Terms of Service. You should also understand that several places delete earnings if you don't cash out in a certain time frame. so log in often to keep your account active and earning.

Is there anything you regret when it comes to Product Testing?

A. Yes. I regret I didn't pay closer attention and speak up more. I feel I could have helped improved several products if I wasn't afraid that I wouldn't get picked for more tests if everything I said was bad.

Can you explain the character letters under country?

A. Yes. WW means world wide, and the others should match the country you live in.

Is there anything I should be concerned about?

A. Yes. There are scams going around whereby a fake company sends you a check (cheque in the UK) and asks you to deposit it. They ask you to send the rest to someone else at a Western Union or similar type companies. This is a fraudulent scam and should be reported ASAP. Product Testing has nothing to do with this sort of thing. They can appear very legit and even a well-known company you may have worked in the past. You should inform that company about the issue as well. You are never mailed a check before you start any job via online or off. You are also never texted or mailed from a company you didn't sign up for. If someone texts you and you do not know them, don't reply. Doing so can alert them the number is active and the scam texts will not stop. To report such things, there are many companies listed here: http://www.annikaswfh.com/aboutblacklist If you hear of a friend or family member dealing with the same thing, please send them that page to help aid in reporting.

Have you ever had a Product Test go wrong?

A. Yes, several. I had a pizza catch on fire in my oven because it said not to use a tray while cooking. I had a webcam that kept crashing my computer so bad I had to format. There are risks to Product Testing that companies forget or omit telling you about. I also was given an out of date product to test by a very well known company, thankfully I knew better than to test it and they, of course, canceled the testing. 

Do you have any other suggestion not addressed?

A. Yes. Be sure to use the search. It's refreshed every Monday. If you don't see something added it may be in a couple weeks. As we research each company we add. Unlike most sites that just throw up links for people to join, we like to make sure they are legit.

Is there anything else you feel is important for others to know?

A. Yes. You should also check out the Product Testing Tips page located here and of course the "Getting Started Section" located here

Is there anything you feel I should be aware of?

A. Yes https://voiceofamylynn.blogspot.com/2023/01/gdpr-implications-for-market-research.html

Can you explain the character letters under country?

A. Yes. WW means world wide, and the others should match the country you live in.

Why are the TRYIT websites listed under Product Testing?

A. Misleading information by many bad Bloggers! Many Bloggers keep promoting TRYIT websites as Product Testing. Tryit websites are known as Paid to Review, IE Paid to Write websites. Yes you product test, but you MUST review. Therefore these websites are Paid to Write. Because of the Bloggers misleading so many visitors and confusing them, we have had to list them both under Paid To Write and Product Testing. We often have to do this because many of the Bloggers don't know any better, or aren't even a part of the program. They just want the page views and money from advertising - they don't care it's wrong.

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