So, you’re looking to jump into a side hustle that pays decent cash, lets you work from home, and doesn’t require you to wear a fancy outfit? Well, website testing might just be the gig you need. Here’s the lowdown of how to become a website tester and why.
Companies need people to test their websites and apps, making sure everything runs smooth before it hits the public. If you’ve ever found a glitch on a site or hated how something worked on your phone, that’s where testers come in. You report those bugs, check user flows, and make sure everything clicks the way it’s supposed to.
Website testers aren’t just the geeks who find broken links; they’re the ones who help shape the user experience, making sure a website is easy to navigate, functions well, and keeps people coming back for more. Sounds cool, right?
What Does a Website Tester Do?
Key Responsibilities
When you’re a website tester, your day-to-day isn’t just about spotting bugs. It's about making sure that the site works well across different devices and browsers. Let’s break it down:
- Usability Testing: You make sure the website is user-friendly. If it’s hard to find something or if it takes too many clicks to get to the checkout, you report that.
- Bug Reporting: Any glitches, crashes, or errors? You're the one who finds and reports them. You'll use various tools to catch everything from broken links to slow-loading pages.
- Cross-Browser & Device Testing: Websites look different depending on the device or browser. Testers check how a site performs on different devices like smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
- Functionality Checks: This includes checking if buttons, links, forms, and interactive elements are working correctly. Anything that users click, swipe, or tap needs to work perfectly.
- Performance Testing: Is the site slow to load? Are there long wait times? You check the website speed to ensure smooth user experience, especially in e-commerce or service-based sites.
- A/B Testing: Sometimes you need to test two versions of a webpage to see which one performs better. If you’re working for a bigger company, you might get involved in these tests.
You’ll usually communicate with developers or project managers to give feedback and help them fix issues. Think of yourself as the ‘test driver’ before a website goes live.
Should You Become a Website Tester?
Perks of Testing Websites as a Side Hustle
- Work from Home: Website testing is a perfect gig for working in your PJ’s, especially if you’re doing it as a side hustle. You don’t need to commute or report to a boss.
- Great Earning Potential: Depending on your experience and the company, you could be looking at anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour. For a side hustle, that's pretty solid!
- Flexible Hours: You get to choose your schedule. Whether you’re testing websites at 2 a.m. or squeezing in a couple of hours on the weekend, it’s all about your pace.
- No Special Skills Required (Mostly): As long as you can spot a glitch and know how to use basic testing tools, you’re good to go. Plus, if you’re tech-savvy, that’s a bonus.
- Learning Opportunities: Website testing can lead to a ton of opportunities to level up in tech. It’s a great stepping stone for roles like QA engineer, developer, or even project manager.
- High Demand: The internet is only getting bigger, and so is the need for good testers. Every company wants a smooth website for their users, so this job isn’t going away anytime soon.
- Work on Cool Projects: If you land the right gigs, you could be testing the latest apps or websites for major brands. It’s kinda like being a secret agent for the web.
- Great for Side Income: If you already have a full-time job or another side hustle, website testing can be a great way to make extra cash in your spare time.
Downsides to Website Testing
- Repetitive Work: Let’s be honest, sometimes it can feel like you're doing the same thing over and over—testing buttons, links, and filling out forms. It can get a little monotonous.
- Tight Deadlines: Some projects have quick turnarounds. If you’re juggling multiple clients or a busy day, it can be stressful.
- You Need to Be Detail-Oriented: Missing a small bug can cause big problems. If you’re not paying attention, it could hurt the project—and your reputation as a tester.
Skills You Need to Be a Website Tester
What Makes a Good Tester?
- Attention to Detail: The main skill you’ll need is to be a hawk for tiny errors—broken links, loading issues, misaligned text. It’s all about noticing what’s off.
- Basic Tech Skills: You don’t have to be a coding wizard, but understanding how websites work and basic troubleshooting is key. If you know a little HTML or CSS, that’s a huge plus.
- Critical Thinking: Testers don’t just find bugs—they think about how a user would interact with the site. You have to put yourself in the user’s shoes to find issues that could mess up their experience.
- Communication: You’ll need to report issues clearly and concisely, especially if you’re working with developers. Your feedback should be actionable.
- Time Management: Juggling several projects with different deadlines can be tricky, so being organized is important.
- Patience: Testing can sometimes take longer than expected. If you’re troubleshooting an issue or trying to replicate a bug, you’ve gotta have the patience to stick with it.
What Tools Do You Need to Be a Website Tester?
Common Tools You’ll Use
- Bug Tracking Tools: Jira and Trello are popular for tracking bugs and tasks. These tools help testers and developers stay on the same page.
- Screen Recording Software: Sometimes you’ll need to record your testing process or show a developer exactly what’s happening on screen. Loom and Camtasia are great for this.
- Browser DevTools: You’ll be using the developer tools in browsers like Chrome or Firefox to inspect elements and find errors.
- Automated Testing Tools: If you want to level up, tools like Selenium and TestComplete let you automate testing processes. This saves time if you’re working on large projects.
- Performance Testing Tools: For testing load speeds, tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix can help you pinpoint problems.
- Cross-Browser Testing Tools: BrowserStack or Sauce Labs lets you test how a website performs on different browsers and devices without needing a ton of physical devices.
Where to Find Website Testing Jobs
Platforms to Get Started
- UserTesting: One of the most popular platforms for testing websites. Get paid to record yourself using different websites and apps.
- Testlio: If you’re looking for more serious, long-term gigs, Testlio works with major companies and offers paid testing opportunities.
- WhatUsersDo: Another platform that connects testers with companies looking for feedback on their sites. It’s a solid option for side hustles.
- TryMyUI: Similar to UserTesting, TryMyUI pays you to test websites and provide detailed feedback.
- Appen: Known for offering a wide variety of remote gigs, including website testing. It’s a good option for beginners.
- Rev.com: While they focus more on transcription work, they also offer website testing jobs on occasion.
What’s the Pay Like?
Average Pay for Website Testers
- Freelance/Side Hustle: On average, you’re looking at around $10 to $25 per hour, depending on experience and the complexity of the testing. Some platforms like UserTesting pay around $10 for a 20-minute test, so it adds up if you’re consistent.
- Full-Time Jobs: For full-time testers, the salary can range from $40,000 to $70,000 per year, based on experience and location. Big companies may pay higher rates for specialized testers with expertise in performance or usability.
- Project-Based: If you're working on specific projects, you could get paid per project, ranging from $100 to $1,000, depending on the size and complexity.
Real-Life Insights from Website Testers
"As a website tester, my main gig is to evaluate websites and apps to ensure they function smoothly and provide a solid user experience. I dive into various browsers and devices to spot bugs, glitches, or any hiccups that could mess with the user journey. It's all about making sure everything clicks and flows just right." — J.D.
"In my role, I focus on usability testing, which means I assess how user-friendly a website is. I look at navigation, design, and overall user experience to ensure it's intuitive and easy to use. If something feels off or confusing, I flag it for improvement." — A.S.
"I spend a lot of time performing cross-browser and cross-platform testing. This involves checking how websites perform across different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, as well as on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Ensuring consistency across these platforms is crucial for a seamless user experience." — M.T.
"A big part of my job is reporting bugs and issues I find during testing. I document these problems in detail, including steps to reproduce them, and communicate them to the development team. Clear and concise reporting helps developers understand and fix issues efficiently." — L.K.
"I also engage in performance testing, where I assess how quickly a website loads and how it handles traffic. Slow load times or crashes can drive users away, so I test load speeds and stress-test sites to ensure they can handle high traffic without issues." — R.P.
"In my role, I often collaborate with developers and designers to discuss issues and suggest improvements. Effective communication is key to ensuring that the final product meets quality standards and provides a positive user experience." — S.H.
"I use various tools to assist in my testing, such as bug tracking software like Jira and performance testing tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. These tools help me identify issues, track progress, and ensure that websites meet performance standards." — C.B.
"My work schedule is pretty flexible. I can choose when to take on testing projects, which allows me to balance this side hustle with other commitments. This flexibility is one of the reasons I enjoy this line of work." — T.W.
"The pay for website testing varies. Some platforms offer around $10 for a 20-minute test, while others pay per project or on an hourly basis. It's a decent way to earn extra cash, especially if you can manage multiple tests or projects." — K.M.
"One challenge I face is the repetitive nature of some testing tasks. Testing the same features across different browsers or devices can get monotonous. However, the flexibility and the opportunity to work on diverse projects keep things interesting." — N.G.
Is Website Testing the Right Side Hustle for You?
Is It Worth the Time?
Website testing is a solid side hustle for people who enjoy tech and want a flexible gig that can be done from home. The pay isn’t sky-high, but it’s steady, and you can earn a lot by taking on multiple projects. Whether you’re looking for a full-time job in the tech world or just a way to make extra cash on the side, website testing is definitely worth considering.
If you’ve got an eye for detail and want to test out cool new sites and apps, this might be your ideal hustle. So, what’s stopping you? Test those sites, find the bugs, and get paid!
How to Become a Website Tester FAQs
1. What Does a Website Tester Do?
A website tester evaluates websites and applications to ensure they function correctly and provide a positive user experience. This involves identifying bugs, glitches, and usability issues across various browsers and devices. The goal is to ensure that users can navigate the site smoothly and efficiently.
2. What Equipment Do I Need to Be a Website Tester?
To become a website tester, you'll need a computer (Windows or Mac) or a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) with a microphone. For Windows users, the device should have Windows 8 or newer. An external microphone can be used if your device doesn't have one. It's also advisable to have a stable internet connection to participate in testing sessions.
3. How Do I Get Paid as a Website Tester?
Payment for website testing varies depending on the platform and the complexity of the test. Some platforms offer around $10 for a 20-minute test, while others pay per project or on an hourly basis. Payments are typically processed weekly, and some platforms may require a minimum balance before issuing payment.
4. Do I Need to Purchase Products or Services to Test Websites?
No, you do not need to buy products or services from the websites you test. While you may be asked to go through the checkout process of online stores, most of the time, the scenarios will ask you to stop before clicking on the final submit button. It's important not to enter real credit card details during testing.
5. What Are the Qualifications and Skills Needed to Be a Website Tester?
While formal qualifications are not always required, having a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to think critically are essential. Familiarity with various browsers and devices, as well as basic knowledge of web development and design principles, can be beneficial. Some platforms may require you to pass a qualification test to ensure you can provide valuable feedback.