Get paid for testing sites!!

Testing websites is probably the easiest way to make money from home. I have to remind you that this is not a get quick rich scheme. There is no such thing as a free lunch. You have to work for your money, but I am sure you already know this. What I'm about to offer you is the possibility to test websites and various software products. In this brief introduction I'll show you the skills you'll need and give you the resources to get work. I'm giving you the net to catch the fish. But you have to set sail for the daily catch on your own. It will take time, but I am confident that you'll learn and you'll do well with my advice. I am happy that I can help you.

Nancy Harkovy

Alpha & Beta Testing

The first testing of any website of program should occur in-house where the programmers creat the software. An alpha version may not yet contain all of the planned features, and may lack documentation. Alpha testing is always done at the place where the software or site is created. Programmers use their own tester who are familiar with the system.

Beta testing is considered the second phase of software testing. Beta tests are typically external tests to identify any performances issues or bugs prior to an official release. Beta tests can be open or closed. A closed beta test is used to control the number of users participating. An open test is open to anyone who has an interest in beta testing. This is where you come in. You will be a Beta tester. Beta testers get paid for testing the software's functions and features.

Beta testers are important because it is almost impossible for developers to test their software in all of the various conditions that might occur. Software should never be released without thorough beta testing. It is impossible to predict or test software on all kinds of hardware with other applications.

Beta testing is also called Q&A or QA for questions and answers.

Your Work As A Beta Tester

Working as a beta tester may sound like fun, since beta testers get access to cutting edge products before they are released to the public, but it is also hard work. Beta testers must work with something for hours, repeatedly performing the same actions and doing things like actively trying to break it. The work can actually be quite monotonous and rather boring, because beta testers are expected to exceed normal usage when they work with products, to ensure that they will hold up under abuse.

Because beta testers work with products which have not been released yet, they usually have to sign confidentiality waivers to protect the company's product for competitors. Someone who works as a beta tester may not be able to tell people about the projects he or she is working on as a result.

In other cases, beta testers are employed by specific companies which like to test their products in-house. The same confidentiality restrictions typically apply.

Depending on the stage that the product development process is in, a beta tester may be given a site or software and told to perform specific tasks, or the beta tester might just explore the functions, noting things down as he or she goes. Beta testers think about the features that they might want or need, and if the features are hard to access, not intuitive, or nonexistent, they typically make a note of it. They also take note of flaws in the product, like instabilities in software which cause it to hang, terminate itself, or behave in other unexpected ways.

Always take notes and keep your notes neat and organized. Beta testers who can't keep their notes neat are not needed by companies. The more beta tests you'll do and the more companies appreciate your work, the more assignements you'll get.

It can be expensive to send products through beta testing, but some companies feel that the cost is worth it, since it ensures that consumers will not have problems. Since everyone uses things in slightly different ways, companies want to know about strange bugs in their software caused by abnormal usage before the site or software is released to save themselves from customer complaints and the necessity of creating patches. In the case of electronics, companies want durable products which will stand the test of hard use; beta testers will do things like smash all the buttons at once, toss the product around, and try to push the product beyond its expected capacity, imitating potential consumer activities.

Getting Jobs As A Beta Tester

This is the most importan reason why you're here. There are three ways to get job as a Beta Tester.

1. Contact sofware companies and testing firms. (We supply you a list.)
2. Apply for freelance jobs. (We provide daily updated job listings)
3. Register at survey companies (We supply a list)

Contact various development companies and apply for Beta Testing positions. Send them a resume. Make sure you emphasize the following about yourself:

• you have your own computer.
• you are internet savvy
• you have free time
• you are neat and organized
• you have experience

If you don't have experience click here and do the first round of site testing on MyWebOpinions. Once you do these fairly simple assignements you will gain experience into site testing and you can claim on your resume that you've done some testing. Your information will be entered into a database. Here's a perfectly sound email for applying for such a position.

FROM:
TO: Beta Testing department 

To whom it may concern:

I am contacting you to apply as a freelance beta tester for any upcoming software
 or website product your company may offer. I have done paid beta testing in 
the past. I am technically savvy, internet literate and keen to obtain any freelance 
testing assignement with your organization. 

I have available free time to start immediately on any project you may have. 
I am a neat and organized person  and can keep an accurate log of my comments,
error reports and all Q&A  related work. Please contact me at your earliest 
convenience. I am quick learner and can easily follow instructions.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely yours,

Applying for freelance jobs is a little different. Here you'll have to go through a listing of positions and you must bid for them. On our website we list thousands of positions every month. Read them, evaluate them and if you think that one of them is down your alley go for it. You have to register with the listings agent to place a bid. The person with the best offer wins these jobs. It's a marketplace of testers. In our listing page we often list other online assignments, like forum posts and Craig's Lists post. Here companies pay people to place classified ads and post messages into forums. These are time and labor intensive assignments and must be done manually. These are a great way to earn extra income.

Survey companies also pay people for testing sites and products. We suggest you register with as many survey companies as possible. These firms help you earn money between jobs. They will send you a stready stream of invitation for testing products, evaluating products or services. Make sure you register with as many of them as possible.

Apply For Work With These Firms

Google - User experience studies. - APPLY HERE

Google Telecommuting Jobs - Work for Google from your home - SEND AN EMAIL
(Requirements US work authorization - citizenship, green card etc, fluency in English)

Microsoft- The world's larges software company is always seeking testers. - APPLY HERE

VocOnline- The Voice Of Consumer is an online testing and opinion firm. Apply with them directly. - APPLY HERE

Kaspersky Beta Testing Lab- Virus Software Development company - APPLY IN AN EMAIL

Intuit - Small business website construction company- APPLY HERE

Rose City Sofware - Developer of educational and entertainment software APPLY HERE

Cambridge Soft - Educational and academic software - APPLY HERE

Mariner Software- Mac and Iphone software developer - APPLY HERE

AVG Virus Software - Beta Testing for anti virus software - APPLY HERE

Fog Creek Software - APPLY HERE

Paragon Software Testing Group - APPLY HERE

DANIWEB - LISTING OF TESTING OPPORTUNITIES

SIMPLY HIRED - PRODUCT AND BETA TESTER JOBS

VDEO GAME TESTERS: LISTINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Fastest Growing Software Developers & Testers: APPLY WITH THEM INDIVIDUALLY