Just a couple of decades ago, product testing was something only trained professionals could do. Today, testing products has become an essential part of any product launch, seeking outside opinion, particularly from the audience for which a product is created.
Whether it’s trying out new frozen meals or the latest beauty products, companies actively look for people to test products and provide honest product reviews. While some products may require more skilled or specialized people for testing, there are plenty of product testing websites that list new product testing opportunities virtually anyone can do and get paid for.
What is a Product Tester?
Product testing has become extremely popular in recent years as a great way to earn extra money for relatively little participation. And with so many different products and services, anyone can review products and get rewarded for it. But what exactly defines a product tester?
Definition of a Product Tester
A product tester is a person who evaluates products and provides detailed reviews on functionality, performance, quality, usability, and overall necessity. Testers typically have to review products as objectively as possible and provide honest feedback.
Product testing was popularized with the rise of Amazon, the ecommerce giant. With so many products, the company had to find a way to ensure its products were properly reviewed and tested.
Product testing is an essential step for companies who want to make sure that the product they’re preparing to launch meets the market needs and functions as intended. That’s why it’s popular for gaming companies to invite experienced players to test their games in the beta version or give early access to further develop and update their games according to player reviews and needs.
Responsibilities of a Product Tester
Companies often share their own unique key factors to assess when testing a product. Different products may also require varying participation levels, but the key responsibilities of a product tester remain the same.
- Assessing usability: Usability is key whether it’s physical items or digital products. You have to evaluate whether the product is easy to use across several scenarios.
- Identifying issues: Testers receive a detailed list of features and instructions on how the product should function to pinpoint any defects or malfunctions.
- Providing feedback: Product testers give feedback on the design, performance, and overall functionality to help manufacturers and developers make necessary adjustments.
- Testing across categories: Usually, testers review products from different categories while applying different testing requirements for each category.
For most companies, identifying the faults and strengths of their products, together with usability feedback is crucial for business success. With such a saturated and crowded market, especially with Amazon taking the lead of a US$1.9 trillion market cap, successful product launches are just the first step in trying to stand out from the crowd.
Common Product Testing Methods
Product testing requires different methodologies based on the type of product that needs to be reviewed. That’s why there are commonly three types of product testing methods.
- Usability testing: The main basic factor for testing products is assessing their usability. It’s important to evaluate how easy a product is to use, and how well it performs in real-life scenarios. For example, if a knife is advertised as sharp, you’d want it to be sharp when prepping food.
- Durability testing: The second layer or method, depending on the product, looks at how durable a product is. This involves testing a product’s ability to withstand regular use and challenging conditions.
- Market feedback: The third and most time-consuming process involves gathering opinions from different customers on a product’s appeal, design, value, and functionality. After compiling all of the collected data, the market feedback research is systemized and shared with the manufacturing company.
How to Become a Product Tester (Step-by-Step)
Product testing certainly has its benefits, and with the hype only increasing on social media, a growing number of people are looking to test products. You’ll find numerous opportunities online with different product testing websites and platforms, but how does one actually become a product tester?
Step 1: Research Product Testing Panels
If you have your heart set on becoming a tester, the first thing to do is pick a platform and start reviewing products from them consistently. This will allow you to increase your knowledge, gain experience, and build a portfolio.
Some of the most popular platforms you could look into are Influenster and Pinecone Research. These platforms allow you to easily create an account, join, and connect with brands, offering opportunities to receive and review products in exchange for honest feedback. Application processes and requirements might differ, so make sure to review their respective policies.
Or, you could always opt to become an Amazon product tester. Amazon often sends free products to review right to the testers’ homes for honest feedback and detailed reviews. This also means that testers can get exclusive access to early-launch products.
To test products on Amazon, you could start through the Amazon Vine program which is invite-only. While it may take a while to gain a footing as a product tester for Amazon, focus on providing genuine reviews to build credibility for the products you’ve purchased from Amazon previously. As you progress and show skill, you’ll likely be invited to review more products.
Step 2: Build Credibility and Reviews
We’ve mentioned building credibility in the first step, but it really requires its own section. While you research how to become a product tester and look for testing opportunities, go through what you’ve purchased in the near past and try writing thoughtful, well-structured reviews for those purchases.
Doing so will allow you to step into the shoes of a product tester and try out whether you could actually do this on a daily basis. Additionally, you could also take the time to engage with communities on dedicated social media channels and online forums to discuss items and services. All such activity will help you gain more experience and stand out when applying for testing opportunities.
Step 3: Specialize in a Niche
The appeal of product testing comes from its flexibility and abundant variety, but here’s the catch – you won’t go far reviewing random products for different platforms and brands. This is also why so many starting testers give up before their testing career takes off.
Picking a specific brand, platform, or even product category will help you get more specialized knowledge in that particular niche. For example, if you love camping and the outdoors, becoming a product tester for related brands will make you both more appealing and increase your chances of landing a more stable gig.
Step 4: Gain Relevant Skills
Some products may require you to have or develop additional skills or even earn certifications to become eligible for certain product tests. It’s especially relevant with technology-based products and software. For example:
- If you’re interested in becoming a software tester, you could benefit from learning coding or getting certifications from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).
- If you’re big on quality, to make it easier to land quality control tester roles you could consider certifications like Six Sigma.
Besides helping you get better opportunities, specialized skills and certifications will allow you to find high-level projects with better earning opportunities.
Step 5: Apply for Jobs
Once you have a few reviews under your belt, start building a portfolio and reaching out for product testing opportunities and jobs. The best places to start would be Monster, Indeed, and Upwork. You can find testing opportunities ranging from part-time and full-time, to convenient freelance roles.
Remember, specialization is key, so make sure to highlight your strengths and niche where you write the majority of your reviews. Slow and steady wins the race, and it’s true for testing products as well.
Essential Skills to Become a Product Tester
Skills are important for any job, no matter how easy or quick it might be. For product testing, specialized skills can make all the difference. But before that, any product tester should have certain basic skills from the get-go.
Analytical and Critical Thinking
It doesn’t really matter what niche you pick or what product you want to test, having good critical thinking is a big part of becoming a product tester. The ability to impartially and critically evaluate a product without any bias is a crucial skill.
Moreover, analytical thinking allows you to look at the product on a deeper level, assessing how it works, what are its strengths, and weaknesses, and how less experienced people will perceive this product.
Attention to Detail
Being critical is one thing, but you also need to have a good eye for spotting details. The more feedback and improvements you can provide, the better. Manufacturers and companies are actively seeking out testers who can both provide feedback and spot any problems with their products.
It could be a software glitch, packaging issue, material review – anything that could potentially influence the end customer experience. As a bonus, the better you are at spotting issues, the more likely you are to be employed for future product tests.
Communication Skills
Last but not least, your ability to effectively and clearly communicate feedback, improvement recommendations, and overall review is essential. You don’t have to be a professional writer, but communication is necessary for product testing.
If you don’t have experience, just do proper field research. After all, we’re all consumers and we all turn to reviews when we need to get more information. That’s when you’ll notice how you gravitate towards concise and structured reviews rather than those filled with emojis and unclear emotional claims.
Types of Product Tester Jobs
Now that you have a better understanding of what it means to become a product tester, the next step would be to go over the types of product tester jobs you could look into.
In-House Product Testers
Just as the name suggests, in-house product testers work directly with companies and usually do more in-depth tests as well as extensive quality controls. As an in-house tester, you would be involved with hands-on testing in a controlled environment.
You’d also have to work closely with designers, product managers, C-level management, engineers, and developers to make sure the product you’re testing is up to standards and meets the target customers’ expectations.
Additionally, to help with the testing process, as an in-house tester, you’d have access to high-quality and advanced testing tools.
Freelance or At-Home Testers
Freelance tester jobs are the ones most of us want to have. This setting provides total control over our time, involvement, environment, and the kind of products we want to test. Typically, freelance testing gigs are listed on product testing sites and panels.
The main drawback here, however, is that starting a freelance testing gig can take some time to grow, so don’t expect to land an amazing opportunity right off the bat. At the same time, since you’re your own manager, you have the freedom to choose what you evaluate, what brands you want to work with, and how much you want to work.
How Much Do Product Testers Make?
Social media has been circulating numerous reels and stories of people sharing how they’ve hit the jackpot with product testing. But how much can you actually make?
Salary Ranges Based on Industry
Salaries for in-house and full-time contract product testers depend on their industry and product:
- Software testers: These professionals are among some of the most well-paid testers out there. On average, a software tester makes $78,580 per year.
- Beauty testers: Cosmetics enthusiasts make around $28,308 per year, which is evidently quite a bit less than software testers. However, famous beauty influencers get paid more to test certain beauty products.
- Amazon product testers: Some of the most experienced Amazon receive as much as $100,756 per year to review products.
Freelance vs Full-Time Earnings
Freelance testers and full-time employees have different earning structures:
- Freelance testers: The pay range for freelancers depends on the platform, brands, and products they choose, and how much time they spend. Typically, freelance product testers earn around $45,000 annually.
- Full-time testers: For those interested in becoming full-time product testers, the average salary range in the US is between $40,000 – $65,000 per year.
Where to Find Product Tester Jobs
Becoming a product tester can be rewarding and interesting, but what about finding the right product testing job? Whether you’re looking for a full-time position or a one-time gig, here are some ideas where you can start looking for testing opportunities.
Direct Company Programs
It’s probably one of the most straightforward ways to look for a product testing position. A lot of companies, including Amazon and Apple, have their own product testing programs. These programs make it easy for almost anyone to apply and get selected to test products.
As a bonus, these companies usually send their product to test for free. However, keep in mind that these platforms are extremely popular, and social media has only aided the hype. That’s why getting an opportunity to test Apple’s or Amazon’s products can be challenging.
Job Boards
As an alternative to signing up to major platforms like Amazon and waiting with no guarantee for a testing opportunity, you could also try job boards like Indeed and Monster. These platforms regularly list new job openings for product testing roles.
The best part is that these roles vary from one-time gigs to part-time, and full-time positions across different industries. If you opt for these platforms, do a bit of research and look at some of the most popular job ads, and use special keywords like “product tester,” “quality assurance,” or “beta tester” to narrow down your search.
Freelance Platforms
The best freelance platforms are Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit. They have active communities and numerous companies looking for freelance specialists for short-term projects. And product testing is one of them.
For some companies, it’s much more efficient to hire freelancers to test products rather than hiring full in-house teams since product launches take quite some time. Signing up to freelance platforms is easy, but you will have to spend some time honing your profile.
Tips for Succeeding as a Product Tester
Becoming a product tester can be an exciting opportunity. While on average it doesn’t require much skill or experience, there are some things to be aware of if you want to turn this into a long-term activity.
Provide Consistent, Detailed Feedback
Don’t skimp on the details! It’s one of the key things that make a product tester truly great. However, this doesn’t mean including personal views or preferences. A good product review will be honest, clear, and thorough, highlighting the key details about a product.
Yes, it can take time to write reviews like this, but once you get used to it and start reviewing more consistently, you’ll be more likely to be approached and picked for future projects.
Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Once you single out a niche or a product type you want to keep reviewing, staying on top of the latest trends and technological advancements can be a game changer. Check online forums and social media platforms and see how similar products are viewed by other customers. This will not only make your job easier, but it will also make you stand out as a specialist or even an expert.
Build Relationships with Brands
If you’ve already worked with some companies, keep in touch with them, and try to maintain a cordial relationship. Networking is a great way to meet relevant people in your niche and introduce yourself as a product tester.
Moreover, utilize the power of social media. Companies these days often record their progress online and regularly update their audiences with product launch news. Once you land a gig, be honest, diligent, and responsive to leave a lasting and positive impression for future projects.
Summing Up
Whether you choose to be an Amazon product tester or work with different brands in your niche, this can be a very lucrative job if you play your cards right. Product testers enjoy a great deal of freedom and flexibility, which is a great choice if you just want a side hustle to supplement your main income source.
Plus, to increase your earnings while you look for additional income ideas, why not share your internet on Pawns.app while you browse? Start applying the best practices we went over in this article and become a product tester!
