How do Online Paid Surveys work?

Usually Panel websites will ask you to complete a certain number of “profiling” questionnaires in order to know when a survey is relevant to you or not.

For example if Sainsbury’s wants to only survey their customers, there is no point inviting a Tesco customer as he/she will not qualify.

Now, whilst panel websites do their best to have as much information as possible to not invite respondents who will not qualify, sometimes they need to add “screening questions”.

For example Sainsbury’s only want to survey their customers who buy a specific brand. The panel company may invite all the Sainbury’s customers but will have to disqualify respondents who do not buy this specific brand. This is where respondents are “screened out”.

A paid survey is used to collect quantitative information about the participants' personal and economic habits set against their particular demographic.

Research companies often use online paid surveys to gain a deeper understanding of customer’s tastes and opinions. By offering a cash incentive to respondents in return for feedback these companies are able to quickly fill quotas and collect the information being sought by the client. To take part in these paid surveys, consumers show an interest in sharing their opinion by registering to panel websites.

The insight gained from these surveys is crucial to help Companies & Brands make correct decisions, and avoid a flop by launching an unwanted product, for example.