Website testing is a critical component of quality assurance (QA) that confirms sites function correctly before launch. This $50+ billion industry is projected to balloon thanks to digital transformation across all sectors. As development accelerates, demand for website testers skyrockets.
This guide explores crowdsourced website testing – an avenue enabling anyone to earn income evaluating websites. You‘ll learn how to access opportunities through top crowdsourced platforms and maximize earnings with stellar test execution. Let‘s dive in.
Importance of Comprehensive Website Testing
Website crashes cost companies $100,000+ per hour in direct losses based on traffic volume. Bugs also erode customer trust that‘s extremely hard to rebuild.
Rigorous testing by replicating real-world user actions across browsers and devices identifies defects early when fixes require days, not weeks. Investing in testing provides impressive ROI by slashing failure risks upon launch.
The most common website testing types are:
- Functionality: Verifying intended features work properly. Example: Purchase checkout.
- UI consistency: Checking alignment to visual style guides. Example: Fonts, icons.
- Localization: Validating adaptations for global visitors display correctly.
- Load: Testing performance as traffic spikes to uncover bottlenecks.
Crowdsourced testers specialize in functionality, UI, localization, accessibility, and usability testing.
Getting Started as a Website Tester
Succeeding as a tester requires strategic technical skills, stellar communication abilities, and unwavering persistence.
Website Testing Skills
Ideal candidates possess sharp attention to detail, analytical thinking, adaptability, and technical general knowledge. Testers closely investigate subtle defects average users overlook.
Technical capabilities like SQL querying, API testing, scripting, and tools proficiency expands opportunities for advanced testing work. Consider taking training courses focused on in-demand testing talents.
Building Credibility
Crowdsourcing platforms assess tester competence before approving members. Create accounts highlighting previous professional or personal websites tested. If no prior experience, test open source projects or personal sites to build initial portfolio pieces demonstrating skills.
Many platforms administer screening exams to further validate capabilities so expect written, verbal or practical assessments. These gatekeepers ensure only credible, vetted testers access clients’ projects.
Creating Standout Profiles
Most crowdsourcing platforms operate reputation-based models where testers with proven track records get first dibs on (and qualify for premium) testing jobs.
Submitting high-quality, comprehensive test documentation fast helps you accumulate positive ratings. Detail defects thoroughly with clear reproduction steps and expected vs observed behavior comparisons.
Communicate questions early rather than making assumptions that lead down wrong paths. Always meet project guidelines and timelines. These practices cement glowing employer feedback unlocking higher tier tests with increased compensation rates.
Major Crowdsourced Testing Platforms
Now that basics are covered, let’s explore major platforms to find website testing work.
uTest
With over 1 million testers spanning 195 countries, uTest dominates the crowdsourcing industry. They offer functional, security, usability, and localization testing opportunities across diverse industries.
Pay Rates
- Minimum: $10 per test
- Average: $25 per test
- High performers: $50+ per test
uTest pays weekly with high ratings opening access to private invites and special high paying projects.
TestIO
TestIO emphasizes clear communication and responsive support. Testers get individual Slack channels with clients to quickly discuss defects.
Pay Rates
- Minimum: $10 per test
- Average: $30 per test
- High performers: $60+ per test
TestIO issues tester payments monthly through PayPal.
TestingTime
TestingTime developed an algorithm that ranks testers based on reliability, availability, and accuracy. People with higher scores get invited to more tests.
Pay Rates
- Minimum: $30 per test
- Average: $55 per test
- High performers: $100+ per test
TestingTime pays out every 2 weeks via PayPal or wire transfers for select geographies.
| Platform | Key Strengths | Pay Models | Geographic Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| uTest | Massive community, many test types | Per test fee | None |
| TestIO | Facilitates tester/client communication | Per test fee | None |
| TestingTime | Sophisticated tester rating system | Per test fee | 83 countries excluded * |
*See TestingTime‘s eligibility page for full list.
Additional top platforms like Applause, Testbirds, Ferpection, test.io and others each offer unique benefits. Spend time browsing options to discover your best fit aligning to skills, interests and location.
Earning Money Testing Websites
Website testing presents realistic pathways to earn extra income – either as a side hustle or full time gig. Let‘s explore income potential.
As this platform earnings distribution indicates, dedicated testers can expect to earn:
- $500+ per month working 5 hours per week.
- $1,500+ per month working 20 hours per week.
- $3,000+ per month working full time.
These figures require consistently receiving high ratings through delivering quality, detailed testing and documentation.
Top Paying Platforms
This crowdsourcing platform pay analysis spotlights 2021 vs 2022 hourly rate leaders:
| 2021 Top Pay | 2022 Top Pay | |
| First | TestIO – $46/hr | TestIO – $49/hr |
| Second | TestingTime – $43/hr | TestingTime – $47/hr |
| Third | uTest – $41/hr | Applause – $45/hr |
Rates continue rising across platforms due to immense market demand from enterprises urgently needing websites stress tested before launching innovative products and services.
Maximizing Your Income
Follow tips from high-earning testers:
- Maintain 95%+ test approval rates.
- Avoid gaps between test completions since consistency raises ratings.
- Manage testing volume to deliver highest quality executions.
- Offer availability on evenings, weekends, and holidays when competition is lower.
Testing websites on these platforms can serve as launchpads into full-time careers. Let‘s explore options.
Transitioning to a Full-Time Testing Career
Seasoned testers underscore sharpening niche skills on commercial test teams to access specialized roles commanding top salaries.
Median entry-level software QA tester salaries approach nearly $70,000 in high cost of living metros. Obtaining just 1-3 years of hands-on commercial testing experience unlocks six figure director and executive positions.
Getting Commercial Experience
Veteran test managers emphasize:
- Learning test automation to confirm skills translating to enterprise testing environments.
- Volunteering for open source projects to showcase competencies and grow professional networks.
- Attending testing meetups and conferences to connect with leaders managing corporate test teams.
Mariam Edwards transformed crowdsourced website testing into a Director of Quality Engineering position at a top financial services firm. Let‘s learn about her journey.
From Part-Time Tester to Director
Meet Mariam Edwards, Director of Quality Engineering, CitiBank
I began testing websites on TestingTime and uTest as a college student. Gaining exposure to real-world systems revealed nuances training programs can’t replicate.
I expanded expertise testing e-commerce sites – my specialty today. I discovered edge cases around promotional code applications and checkout flows that others overlooked. This knack for identifying niche defects led uTest to recruit me to their staff testing team.
When I outgrew learning opportunities, I consulted testing executives I met at conferences for advice on finding more challenging work. This led me to my current role leading test strategy for CitiBank‘s retail banking applications.
Looking back, crowdsourced testing served as the launchpad for my now 15+ year (and counting) career. The hands-on learning opportunities, global collaborations, and bridging connections proved invaluable.
Start Your Website Testing Journey
Ready to begin getting paid to test websites? Here are suggested next steps:
- Enhance technical skills through online web development and software testing courses.
- Practice documenting sample defects professionally.
- Test personal, friend or open source websites to build credentials.
- Create accounts on 1-2 crowdsourced testing sites.
- Set monthly income goals and testing volume required to achieve through platform rate analysis.
With persistence, leveraging crowdsourced platforms to test websites can become a rewarding full or part-time career filled with cutting-edge innovations.
