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3 Ways to Work-at-Home Doing Internet Research

Today we're answering a question from a reader. So, if you've been interested in internet research jobs, keep reading.

Hi Holly,

I found your advice in the Woman's World Magazine and have been searching all through the Pinterest for work from home jobs. There are so many to go through, and some want money, and others I am not sure are real jobs. But Holly, I LOVE to research and would like to start a business doing research, but have no idea how to get started. I thought I would ask if you had any ideas since you are seeking ways of possible employment for people.

3 Ways to Work-at-Home Doing Internet ResearchI hope you will have some ideas and share them with me as I am very eager to get started.

Sincerely, Judy L.

Hi Judy,

Internet Research is an excellent way for you to work-from-home! There are lots of companies who hire freelancers to do their research for them — you just need to know where to look.

Law firms, marketing departments, insurance companies, academic institutions, healthcare providers, political groups, real estate agents, writers, and college students all need researchers.

If you have background experience in one of the areas above, I suggest starting there first, as you'll have a leg up on your competition.

Where to Find Internet Research Jobs and How to Get Started

You can try searching for internet research jobs on traditional career sites like Indeed or CareerBuilder, but these sites are so large, it can be challenging to find these positions. You'll also have to thoroughly research each job posting as they don't screen companies very well.

Here are some other sites that I recommend using to find online research jobs:

FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a paid online job board that caters to flexible work arrangements. The reason I like FlexJobs is they screen every job for legitimacy, so you never have to worry about falling prey to a scam. They also have great sorting options, so it's easy to locate what you're searching for on their website. You can sort jobs by type, schedule, job category, career level, job title, location, or a combination. Some keywords you'll want to explore, include Internet Research, Research, Web Researcher, and Research Assistant.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a freelance marketplace where you can list and sell your internet research services. When Fiverr first came on the market, the premise was individuals would sell their freelance services for $5 (hence the name). Freelancers would keep $4, and Fiverr would take a $1 administrative fee. Today freelancers sell their services for anywhere from $5-$10,000 a pop, and Fiverr takes a 20% administrative fee. Fiverr is free to join, and it's an easy way for you to list your freelance research assistant skills and the niches you specialize in.

Upwork 

Upwork is a freelance job board that contains different tasks for freelancers to complete. Simply register for an account (it's free), search for Internet Research positions, and submit your bid. If your bid is accepted, you'll complete the work and get paid through the platform, minus a small fee (usually 10 percent). While many freelancers complain of the low rates on these sites — it can be an excellent way for you to establish yourself in the field and to work with repeat clients. Also, check out this article from Danny Margulies and how he was able to earn six figures from Upwork — he has a smart strategy for using the platform!

Companies That Hire Internet Researchers

Cannabiz Media

Cannabiz Media hires part-time virtual data researchers to collect, fact-check, and analyze license info in the cannabis industry. Applicants must have a strong business or legal research background, excellent communication skills, and be able to work 20 hours per week.

Clickworker

Clickworker is a short task platform and smartphone app, where you can make money by completing microtasks like text creation, categorization, copy editing, proofreading, internet research, and more. You won't be able to earn a full-time income using this platform, but it is a nice way to bring in a little extra money. To get started, sign-up for free, fill out your profile, complete short skills assessments, complete work, and get paid weekly or monthly via SEPA or PayPal.

Fancy Hands

Fancy Hands hires independent contractors to provide virtual assistant services to individuals and small business owners. In this position, you'll work on tasks like scheduling appointments, internet research, data entry, and making phone calls (so it's not just research). Assistants are paid $3-$7 per task, and payments are distributed every other Tuesday via Dwolla.

FlexJobs

I know I mentioned FlexJobs above as a great place to find legitimate work-from-home positions, but they also hire part-time, freelance, job researchers to research and source legitimate jobs, companies, and opportunities for possible publication on their website. Pay is $15 per hour, and you must reside in one of the following states: CO, CT, FL, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, NC, OR, PA, TN, TX, or VA.

JustAnswer

JustAnswer hires independent contractors to research and answer questions on various topics. To become an expert, you must have experience in a particular niche, such as a doctor, lawyer, nurse, teacher, or chef. With these opportunities, you're not only researching answers for people, but you're also writing the answers online — so you'll need to have excellent written communication skills. JustAnswer pays 20 – 50 percent of what the person is willing to pay for the answer (if it's accepted). Payments are made monthly via PayPal.

For more places to answer questions online, read: How to Make Money Answering Questions Online

Wonder

One company that hires internet researchers to gather information and find credible sources is Wonder. In this role, you'll work as an independent contractor earning $15-$18 per hour on average. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree and prior research experience.

3 Ways to Work-at-Home Doing Internet Research

Start Your Own Internet Research Business

If the above options aren't what you're dreaming of — you can always start your own internet research business in the niche of your choosing. Here are some simple steps to get you started.

1. Educate Yourself on Running an Internet Research Business

No matter what type of business you're starting, you need to educate yourself on the best business practices. Here are a couple of resources that can help you understand and implement the basics for starting and running an internet research-based business.

2. Get Your Business Ducks in a Row

Once you understand the basics of running a business, you'll need to map out your business plan. Your business plan doesn't have to be a formal document, but you will want to create a list of steps to take.

Here are some common questions you'll need to address:

3. Set Up Shop

After you have the preliminary framework in place, you need to set up your digital footprint, which will include your website and social media profiles. You should also think about which communication, marketing, and organizational tools that you'll need to run your business.

Here are some helpful articles and resources:

4. Get Clients

There are many ways to get new clients, but probably the fastest way is to reach out to family, friends, and past colleagues and let them know you started a new business. Just think, if you send an email to 100 contacts, you'll likely have at least one person who needs or knows of someone who needs your services!

When I started my blog, here is the email I sent out. This is how I was able to build my blogging audience so quickly. Oh, and feel free to use this template and modify it for your business.

Hello Friends & Family,
 
As many of you know, for the past 16 months, I've been researching, writing, and working with a graphic designer to launch a website for women and mothers who would like to work-from-home. 
 
As of today, all of my hard work has finally paid off, and I'm proud to announce the official launch of The Work at Home Woman! An online resource for women who wish to work-from-home or become self-employed.
 
Please visit my site and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions!
 
I would greatly appreciate it if you could forward this link to anyone you know that could benefit from this site.
 
Feel free to keep up with The Work at Home Woman, and follow me on Twitter or Facebook

Thanks for your support, Holly

Conclusion

There are many different routes you can take to becoming an internet researcher! Whether you want to freelance, find a telecommuting position, or start your own business, there are many viable options available. Choosing a niche where you have experience will help you hone in on the opportunities that are best suited for your skills.

Originally published January 9, 2015. Content updated April 22, 2020.

This page includes some affiliate and referral links. Please be aware that we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.

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About the Author

Holly Reisem Hanna

Holly Reisem Hanna

Holly Reisem Hanna is the publisher and founder of The Work at Home Woman, which has been helping individuals find remote careers and businesses that feed their souls since 2009. Through her unconventional career path of holding over 30 jobs and obtaining two college degrees, she's been able to figure out how to find a career path that you're truly passionate about. Holly's had the pleasure of sharing her expertise on sites like CNN, MSN Money, Huffington Post, Woman's Day Magazine, as well as being recognized by Forbes as one of the “Top 100 Websites for Your Career.” Holly resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and daughter and enjoys reading, traveling, and yoga.

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Reader Interactions

36 Comments

  1. Tamara

    I would like to be able to work from home and maintain a steady reliable source of income and not worry whether I am going to make rent or not. Please point me in the right direction and who to contact to make this possible for me. Thank you.

  2. Racheal

    I have Degree in Anthropology and so would like to do Anthropological Research. The idea of freelancing sounds wonderful.

    After graduating from college in 2015, I went into Banking, I am currently working as a Learning & Development Officer.

    I do not have any field experience aside from the papers I wrote in college.

    How can I be credible?

    Thanks

  3. Sharminnahar Shila

    Hi,
    I’m interested in learning about online earning. I’ve completed my graduation in English literature. Can you help me how am I doing online making money at home? I have very poor knowledge about this site. How am I increasing my understanding of this site? Please help me…

  4. Evelyn Weibel

    I have a political science degree and so would like to do political research and I love the idea of freelancing–working for myself!! But I am most interested in international issues, and I don’t have any experience in government or anything. How can I be credible?

    • Holly - The Work at Home Woman

      That’s a great question, Evelyn!

      I would see if you could volunteer, intern, or somehow gain experience within this industry. Also, informational interviews (talking to people who are doing what you’d like to do) is a great way to network and build relationships within the niche. Of course, reading and learning everything you can about this area.

      Also, check out NextWave: http://nextwaveathome.com/ They have freelance writing (and calling) positions for political and advocacy campaigns — may be a good way to gain some experience.

  5. Evelyn

    Again, I am an SHS graduate in Ghana who couldn’t further my education at the tertiary level but still wants work and ern something little for a living

  7. Venessa

    Hi Holly,
    I am very interested in finding ways to make a steady income online. I have viewed a few sites and even joined some of them. My question is how do I bid, quote, and write a proposal for a job that I’m interested in? I am new to this. Please help!!!

  8. Janie

    Be careful with Wonder. I had a bad experience with them. If you make it through their tests, you have a trial period, where your first five questions are reviewed by an experienced researcher, before your answer is approved and sent to the client. This is supposed to be a supportive learning experience. My first answer experience went great. However, my second answer experience was awful. I worked for two hours on my answer and submitted for review. Instead of the reviewer sending it back to me for updates, it was sent back to the dashboard (it is supposed to go back to the original person that answered, for updates – per Wonder policy), which means that I could not re-claim that question, and I did NOT get paid. It was only my second question!! I was treated completely unfairly, and chose not to work with Wonder anymore. I don’t want any association with any company that treats people in an unfair manner (especially when I was told very clearly, about the trial period – five questions, when applying for the job).

    • Gilda Iancu

      I believe wonder is a bad place to work for. Janie is right, there is no feedback at all and mostly you loose your time working on projects without getting payed. I sourced a project on money laundry strategies and i found many articles on Clinton’s Foundation and their corrupt business. As soon as I submitted my work I was excluded from the email list, they even changed thecwhole system where youbare asigned topics on a dashboard that you have to claim before reading them, then if you decline them they threaten to penalize with a ban. They claim they still have the email system with project offers running but that is completely disconected from the dashboard and you can claim a project as much as you want from your email list, it is not going to correspond with the dashboard and you basically are losing your time. Then of course , the censorship of the sources….you have to cite only the political correct sources if you source/research on topics that do not focuse on technology and solicit your critical thinking. In other words if you want to really earn money doing research wonder is not the place for you.

      • Shavonne

        Well we know just how corrupt how practically all of these politicians and their familes can be!!!! They may have some stake in Wonder?

  9. Bonnie

    I also would love some help as I am very interest in starting a research business from home as I am now disabled and have to work from home. So any help would be greatly appreciated. [email protected] gmail.com

  10. Mary Sheppard

    Hi Holly,

    My Name is Mary Ann Sheppard and it was great to see this today. I am in the process if starting my second Marketing business. I have worked previously as a Marketing Research Analyst in the Financial Services field for over 15 years. I loved my job. I even set up a corporate library in house and placed info on the corporate Internet that way anyone within the corporation worldwide could obtain info at anytime. Plover bad was 35,000 and I was the only one in house that did the research. I also followed all the banks worldwide. There are many places that need researchers and it is a perfect business to run for home.

    I am willing to help anyone in learning how to term their search criteria. It can be frustrating at times but very rewarding. I left when my job transferred from Pennsylvania to Arizona As I Gad 2 teenagers who wanted to graduate with their friends.

    • Eva North

      Good evening Mary, my name is Eva and I am looking for internet research work from home. I’m a stay at home mom of four, two which are still at home, and wife to a truck driver. I feel being a full time stay at home mom/wife qualifies me to work on internet researcher, so if you are offering to help someone learn and/or get into it, I would love to be that person. I’ll let you know though, that I have no extra money for any training, equipment, etc. I can be personally contacted at [email protected], thank you and have a great rest of your weekend.

    • Glenda Hatfield

      I would be most greatful for help and direction for researcher position. I have been in the finance industry for over 20 years. I would love the flexibility and freedom to work from home or abroad.

      Thank you so much

    • Auther Petersen

      Dear Mary, I would be most interested in working with you I hope we could establish a work relationship and researching…I’m new to this so I would be grateful for your guidance.

      Thanking you in advance.

    • Elizabeth

      Hi,

      I am interested in learning and maybe start working from home. Please, if you can help me in any way, it will be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks,

      Elizabeth

    • Sobha VijayaKumar

      Hello Mary,
      I am working at Article one partners as patent and article researcher. I will be able to earn some 50 to 100 dollars monthly as so many are working and our submitted study become duplicate and will not get any reward. I enjoy the search and highlight work, but looking for more compensated kind of work. If anything is available from from your side, please let me know. I am very much interested. I have tried zursh, but I could not earn anything from that site. My email id is [email protected]

    • Sally

      Hi Holly

      This article his amazing and educative. I have an account with Elance which is currently Upwork but I never got a chance to do any job online, I thought I qualified for one only to realise the client wanted just to get some information from me but anyway I haven’t lost hope.

      Mary

      Thanks alot for the help you are willing to give. I would like to do some research work online and become an expert but no idea on how to go about it. please help

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