Website Testing- Complete Guide to earn with Website Testing

Below is the summary of this page,it is highly recommended to read through for better Understanding. 

 

If you want to get paid to test websites and apps, you don't have to be a computer genius.

A lot of people think you must actually be a computer guru which is  not true at all.

In fact, getting paid to test websites is pretty much just the upgraded version of filling out surveys for cash. However, instead of answering questions about products, you'll be helping with the functionality, usability, and design of a website or app.

Basically, you'll be making the web a less buggy, more functional, better place, all while making money at the same time!

What is Web Testing?

Prior to going live and becoming publicly available, web testing, also known as website testing, involves reviewing your web application or website for potential flaws. Web testing examines the website or web application's performance, compatibility, security, and usability.

At this point, the site's functionality, accessibility for users with disabilities as well as regular users, and traffic handling capacity are all evaluated.

What Does a Website/User Tester Do?

The obvious answer here is that you test websites, but what does that mean?

Depending on your needs for web testing, software engineers may use the following testing kinds or techniques.

Well, you'll actually be doing a variety of different things: 

1. Functionality Testing of a Website

A website's functionality is tested using a variety of testing criteria, including user interface, APIs, database, security, client and server, and fundamental website capabilities. It is quite convenient to perform both manual and automated functional testing with functional testing. It is done to test how well each feature on the website works.

Activities for Web-based Testing include:

Verify that every link on your websites is operational and that none of them is broken. Links will be examined, including:

• Outgoing links
• Internal links
• Anchor Links
• MailTo Links
• Test Forms are working as expected. 

This will include-

• The form's scripting checks are functioning as intended. For instance, an error message is displayed if a user does not fill out a required field on a form.
• Verify that default values are being filled in.
• After submission, the information in the forms is either linked to an active email account or sent to a live database.
• Forms are formatted correctly for easier reading 

Test Cookies are functioning as they should. Cookies are small text files that websites use to remember active user sessions. This eliminates the need for you to log in each time you visit a website. Testing of cookies will include

• Testing cookies (sessions) are deleted either when cache is cleared or when they reach their expiry.
• Delete cookies (sessions) and test that login credentials are asked for when you next visit the site.

Test HTML and CSS to ensure that search engines can crawl your site easily. This will include

• Checking for Syntax Errors
• Readable Color Schemas
• Standard Compliance. Ensure standards such W3C, OASIS, IETF, ISO, ECMA, or WS-I are followed.

Test business workflow– This will include

• Testing your end – to – end workflow/ business scenarios which takes the user through a series of webpages to complete.
• Test negative scenarios as well, such that when a user executes an unexpected step, appropriate error message or help is shown in your web application.

2. Usability testing:

Nowadays, usability testing is an essential component of any web-based project. It can be conducted by testers like you or a small focus group that represents the web application's target market.

Test the site Navigation:

• Links to various pages on your website should be clearly labelled and consistent across all of your webpages.

Test the Content:

• Content should be legible with no spelling or grammatical errors.
• Images if present should contain an “alt” text

3.Interface Testing:

Three areas to be tested here are – Application, Web and Database Server

• Application: Test requests are sent correctly to the Database and output at the client side is displayed correctly. Errors if any must be caught by the application and must be only shown to the administrator and not the end user.
• Web Server: Test Web server is handling all application requests without any service denial.
• Database Server: Make sure queries sent to the database give expected results.

Test system response when connection between the three layers (Application, Web and Database) cannot be established and appropriate message is shown to the end user.

4. Database Testing:

Database is one critical component of your web application and stress must be laid to test it thoroughly. Testing activities will include-

Test if any errors are shown while executing queries

Data Integrity is maintained while creating, updating or deleting data in database.

Check response time of queries and fine tune them if necessary.

Test data retrieved from your database is shown accurately in your web application. 

5. Compatibility testing.

Compatibility tests ensures that your web application displays correctly across different devices. This would include-

Browser Compatibility Test: Same website in different browsers will display differently. You need to test if your web application is being displayed correctly across browsers, JavaScript, AJAX and authentication is working fine. You may also check for Mobile Browser Compatibility.

The rendering of web elements like buttons, text fields etc. changes with change in Operating System. Make sure your website works fine for various combination of Operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Mac and Browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari etc. 

6. Performance Testing:

This will ensure your site works under all loads. Software Testing activities will include but not limited to –

• Website application response times at different connection speeds
• Load test your web application to determine its behavior under normal and peak loads
• Stress test your web site to determine its break point when pushed to beyond normal loads at peak time.
• Test if a crash occurs due to peak load, how does the site recover from such an event
• Make sure optimization techniques like gzip compression, browser and server side cache enabled to reduce load times. 

7. Security testing:

Security Testing is vital for e-commerce website that store sensitive customer information like credit cards. Testing Activities will include-

• Test unauthorized access to secure pages should not be permitted
• Restricted files should not be downloadable without appropriate access
• Check sessions are automatically killed after prolonged user inactivity
• On use of SSL certificates, website should re-direct to encrypted SSL pages.

8) Intruder

Intruder is a powerful vulnerability scanner that will help you uncover the many weaknesses lurking in your web applications and underlying infrastructure. Offering industry-leading security checks, continuous monitoring and an easy-to-use platform, Intruder keeps businesses of all sizes safe from hackers.

Intruder

Features

• Best-in-class threat coverage with over 10,000 security checks
• Checks for configuration weaknesses, missing patches, application weaknesses (such as SQL injection & cross-site scripting) and more
• Automatic analysis and prioritisation of scan results
• Intuitive interface, quick to set-up and run your first scans
• Proactive security monitoring for the latest vulnerabilities
• AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud connectors
• API integration with your CI/CD pipeline

Visit Intruder   https://guru99.live/7cwzZX 

9. Crowd Testing:

You will select a large number of people (crowd) to execute tests which otherwise would have been executed a select group of people in the company. Crowdsourced testing is an interesting and upcoming concept and helps unravel many a unnoticed defects.

This concludes the tutorial. It includes almost all testing types applicable to your web application.

As a Web-tester its important to note that web testing is quite an arduous process and you are bound to come across many obstacles. One of the major problems you will face is of course deadline pressure. Everything is always needed yesterday! The number of times the code will need changing is also taxing. Make sure you plan your work and know clearly what is expected of you. Its best define all the tasks involved in your web testing and then create a work chart for accurate estimates and planning.

My Experience Testing Websites for Money

I got my first paid web testing job from UserTesting on February 27th (got paid $10) and since then have done five more tests earning $60 in the bank! For a month this isn't a lot of money earned but that doesn't matter, it was fun and it took me less than two hours to earn that $60.

You see, there's only one downside to the web testing side hustle:

It's not a full-time gig.

For most of us at least.

As you'll learn below there are some lucky individuals who manage to earn a full-time income testing websites, but they're the 1%.

For the other 99% of us, this is a side hustle to earn some extra money every month. You could use that money to pay off debt, save up for a video game, you can do whatever you want with it!

Even if you just make an extra $50 a month, that's $600 in the bank every year.

Here are couple ways to increase your chances of making more money:

•     Sign up for as many sites as you can – The more sites you're on the more job opportunities you'll see.
•     Have a good tester rating – Most sites on this list have ratings for all their testers. If your rating is high, you'll get sent more jobs. Make sure that you are giving quality feedback and following the tester guidelines on each site.

If the site you're on has free courses and training available, take advantage. Most sites will also have a section like “How to be a great tester” or something similar, make sure you study it.

Get Paid to Test Websites and Apps With These Sites

1. User Testing

UserTesting is one of the more well-known websites that pay users to test websites (never thought I could use the word website so many time's in one sentence).

The first thing you have to do is take a practice test, then you'll get to start doing paid tests. You'll get reviewed for these tests so make sure you're providing value and voicing your thoughts out loud the entire test.

After your practice test is approved you'll start receiving paid tests in your dashboard. You'll have to take a short screener (takes one minute) for each paid test to see if you qualify because the customers want specific users taking their tests.

I get about 1-2 tests per week that I actually qualify for, so you can expect the same. For each of these tests, you get paid $10 via PayPal seven days after you complete the test.

They have tests for smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Occasionally you may be able to take part in a live test where you talk to a customer live while testing a website. These tests usually pay $30 per 30 minutes.

#1 Tip: Leave the UserTesting dashboard open at all times because the tests go to whoever is online FIRST.

    Full UserTesting.com Review

2. UTest

UTest is a bit overwhelming at first because there is a lot more going on with it then the other user testing sites. But don't worry! Once you spend a bit of time on it and learn the layout everything will start making sense. Make use of their help desk. Don't give up on this one because it has a ton of earning potential.

I say this because there are users making a full-time income ($3,000/mo+) with UTest. Now this obviously won't happen quickly and it won't be easy but it is proof that it is possible if you put the work in.

So, what you'll be doing on UTest will be looking for bugs in a piece of software. The pay varies for each test cycle, but you can expect $5 per bug on average.

However, when you sign up don't expect to be getting paid jobs in your inbox right away, you could be waiting up to 2 weeks just to receive your Sandbox test, which is a practice test you must complete before receiving paid projects. You'll then have to build up your rating slowly to get more test invites.

There's a ton of useful and free info on UTest so be sure to look around at the courses and forums for that.

3. WhatUsersDo

WhatUsersDo has a simple sign-up process involving downloading their screen recorder and taking a practice test. That's it.

Once you're signed up you'll begin receiving 3-5 tests per month via email. If you complete your tests really well and provide useful feedback you will be offered more tests per month.

Each test you take will pay out $5 (which is lower than most testing sites) via PayPal on the 25th of each month.

WhatUsersDo also runs quarterly competitions and special offers which is unique.

4. User Test

UserTest is cool because you don't even need a password to sign up, just your email. How nifty.

You'll get paid $10 for each test done on UserTest and payment will be sent within 2 days of finishing a test.

If you get accepted to this site you should consider yourself lucky because they are an invite-only site and accept 5% of submissions! You'll get access to some pretty exclusive tests if you are accepted.

5. Enroll

    No microphone required

Enroll is different from most of the other sites on this list because it doesn't require a microphone or webcam to record your tests. The tests on Enroll contain simple tasks, asking you to compare two web pages or click somewhere on a webpage. You can also take these tests on any device, mobile, desktop or tablet.

This makes the tests a lot easier to take but it also means they pay less. There is no exact number but most tests pay anywhere from $0.10 to $1.50. Oh, also you get some cool badges when you complete tests which are a fun addition.

Currently, 367,688 tests have been taken on Enroll, which means they've paid out thousands of dollars to their users!

6. UserFeel

On UserFeel each test will take you around 10-20 minutes and pay out $10. You can take the tests on your computer or smartphone.

You will have to take a qualification test (what's new) and you should check out their tester FAQ because they have a lot of useful information to help you become a better tester.

7. StartUpLift

    No microphone required

StartUpLift is another user-testing site that doesn't require a microphone or screen recorder.

Instead, all you do is head over to a site, complete some tasks and then provide a useful written response. If your response is approved for being high quality, you'll get paid $5.

Once you have at least $5, you will get paid via PayPal on the upcoming Monday.

8. TryMyUI

TryMyUI homepage

    Who can join: Anyone 18 years or older, fluent in English, with access to PayPal.

    Average earning potential: $10 per test, around $10-$30/hour.

    Average work volume: 1-3 paid tests a week.

    Ways to earn: Usability tests for websites and mobile apps (Android and iOS).

    Payout options: PayPal.

    Minimum payout: None.

    Payment speed: Weekly; paid out every Friday.

    Sign up bonus: None. Sign up here.

    Learn more: TryMyUI Review and Guide.

TryMyUI is similar to many other paid usability testing sites. However, it does have some issues: support is at times unresponsive, and test graders can be really strict. There have been multiple reports of people having their tests rejected for small issues, and TryMyUI doesn't pay for rejected tests.

That being said, some people use TryMyUI without issue, with some even saying the high standards help them become better testers.

9. Userlytics

Userlytics brings nothing new to the table:

    Web and mobile app testing

    Microphone required

    $10 payout per test

    Payments sent via PayPal every Friday

Although it's nothing new, it's extra income.

10. TestingTime

TestingTime conducts longer tests over Skype that will record your voice and face, so make sure you're comfortable with that before you apply.

Each test session lasts 30-90 minutes on average and the pay can reach as high as $50! You'll be paid out in 5-10 days via PayPal when you complete a test.

11. UserZoom

UserZoom provides users with the speak out loud screen recorded tests AND standard survey tests. It's the best of both worlds. And yes you have to take a sample test before you can start getting paid, you also have to be 18 or older.

Most of their tests last 10-20 minutes with the recorded tests paying $10 on average and the easier survey tests paying $5 on average.

After you take a test and the results are approved (takes 3-5 days) you'll be paid via PayPal within 21 business days.

12. Validately

Validately is a panel that offers talk aloud tests and moderated live tests.

The talk aloud tests should take around 5 minutes to complete and pay $5-10 which is great for only 5 minutes or work. The moderated live tests require a webcam and pay a minimum of $25 for 30 minutes.

I tried applying for Validately but it says my device is incompatible even though I'm on Window 8.1, so this might be a bug.

13. UserCrowd (Formerly UsabilityHub)

    No microphone required

UserCrowd tests are simple, less than a minute long tests that pay out 10 cents each.

HOLD UP, 10 cents?! Yes, but stick with me here:

The test tasks will be things like clicking somewhere on a site, answering a question, navigating a site, etc. Easy stuff you can complete in seconds once you get the hang of it. Bust out 10 of these tests a day and you're making $365 extra every year.

Sadly you probably won't get 10 tests a day, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't sign up. Even if you only make an extra $50/year it could still be worth the time.

Once again cash out is via PayPal and you must have at least 100 credits ($10).

14. UberTesters

UberTesters is all about testing apps – no website testing here!

All you need if you want to join is a tablet or smartphone, then just follow the sign-up process provided. They do note that some previous experience may be required.

15. Loop11

To become a tester on Loop11 you'll need to take a sample test which requires you to record your webcam, screen, and microphone. Yes, this is one of the few sites that also requires a webcam.

Loop11 seems a lot more exclusive than some of the other sites I've listed, and they also claim to pay more and provide frequent opportunities and bonuses to high-quality workers.

16. UserBrain

UserBrain allows you to test websites on your computer, iPad or iPhone. They record your screen and microphone during tests using their Chrome extension or iOS app.

Once you take a short sample test (took me 10 minutes) and are approved, you will start receiving paid tests. The tests pay $5 each which is lower than some other sites, but UserBrain tests are also shorter. You should receive a few tests a month.

Once you make $10 you can cash out via PayPal.

17. TestBirds

TestBirds is a software testing site sort of similar to UTest. They've conducted over 1,500 tests and found 110,000+ bugs.

One of the things that stands out about TestBirds is the pay, for a regular usability test you'll earn 20 euros (almost $25USD), and that's just the start. For each bug you find you can earn even more money.

TestBirds also provides free training to make you an even better tester so you can earn more money.

18. User Interviews

User Interviews isn't solely a paid web testing site, but they do have a great selection of jobs in that category. For example, look at this one:

User Interviews paid app test for a travel app

$125 for a 60-minute test! That's an insane hourly rate. As you can see though, it's an in-person, 1-on-1 interview. That's one of the big reasons it's paying so much.

However, here's an online-based, paid usability test I found with a quick browse through the listings:

User Interviews paid usability test

As you can see, it's another big boy, paying $100 for 1 hour and 15 minutes of work. The payment is in the form of an Amazon gift card though.

Bottom line?

With over 500 studies launched each month on the platform, there are plenty of worthwhile opportunities on User Interviews.

Best of all, they accept participants from the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., France, Germany, and South Africa. With more international studies launched every week, it's a good place to be!

Learn more here.

19. PlaytestCloud

PlaytestCloud homepage

    Who can join: Anyone 18 years or older, fluent in English, with access to PayPal and a iOS or Android phone.

    Average earning potential: $15

    Average work volume: A few opportunities a month

    Ways to earn: Testing mobile games on iOS and Android.

    Payout options: PayPal

    Minimum payout: $0.01

    Payment speed: Within 7 days.

    Sign up bonus: None. Sign up here.

    Learn more: PlaytestCloud Review and Guide

PlaytestCloud is a unique paid testing opportunity as it pays you to exclusively test mobile games on iOS and Android — you won't find any website testing here.

Other Places to Find Usertesting Jobs

Ok, so the sites above are dedicated to helping you find website testing jobs and app testing jobs, but they're not the only places on the web where these types of jobs exist.

Below are some sites you can check out that are more general remote job sites that will occasionally have usertesting jobs available. They won't be as consistent as the sites above, but they're still a good place to lurk during downtimes.

    MTurk – This is one of the most popular micro job sites around. You'll find all sorts of work here, including web testing and app testing. Read my full MTurk review to learn more.

    Respondent.io – This is a site for finding focus groups, so if you sign up here just be aware most researchers are looking for specific people to conduct interviews with. Sometimes that might mean you'll just be answering questions, or you'll be going through an app or website and speaking your thoughts. Learn more here.

    Clickworker – Similar to MTurk, Clickworker has a ton of different micro tasks available including web testing and app tester jobs. Read my Clickworker review to learn more.

    Upwork – This is one of the biggest freelance job sites in the world and it has both app and web testing jobs available. Some of the work involves simple usability testing while other job posters are looking for people with much more specialized technical knowledge. Learn more here and here.

One more thing to keep in mind with the sites above is that since they have a variety of work available, you might end up finding other tasks you enjoy doing as well.

Final Thoughts

The fact that you can get paid to test websites and apps from home with no prior experience is pretty awesome. It's honestly one of my favorite ways to make a quick extra buck online.

It's fun, you get to improve websites and apps with your feedback so it's actually productive, and getting paid $10 for 10-20 minutes of work is pretty good in my books.

If you're a beginner looking to get started testing websites, I highly recommend trying out user testing.

Also, remember to follow these tips I listed above:

    Apply to as many sites as you can for more testing opportunities

    Provide high-quality feedback to improve your tester rating

    Take advantage of the free training provided on sites if available

Summary

Many brands want to know how easy it is to use their websites and hire testing companies to get opinions from real people. As a website tester, you will have to answer a variety of questions as you navigate a site. Additionally, you will communicate what you think about the user experience through video recording. Videos should be 20-25 minutes on average. And if you have a good understanding of how websites work, you might be especially helpful.

Hourly Earnings : $ 15- $ 25

Find this remote job at:

UserTesting

Ferpection

TryMyUI