Is FocusGroup.com a Scam? (My Honest Review 2023)

Looking for a way to make some extra money? Joining an online survey panel or participating in focus groups could be just the thing for you. But with so many sites out there, finding the right one can be a bit overwhelming.

One of the sites you might come across is FocusGroup.com. They claim to pay you for completing surveys and other activities. But the question is, is it legit or just another scam to avoid? You don’t want to waste your time with a dodgy site.

As an Internet entrepreneur, I’m in a good position to share with you everything I know about online surveys. Over the years, I’ve reviewed many survey sites.

Before we dive into it, though, I should mention that I’m not affiliated with FocusGroup.com. I’m not getting paid to write this review or anything like that. I just want to help you make an informed decision about whether or not to give it a try.

At the end of the review, I’ll also give you a heads up about an even better alternative that’s helped me make a passive income of 4-5 figures online.

So, what can you expect from this review of FocusGroup.com? Let’s take a look.

What is FocusGroup.com?

FocusGroup.com is a market research company based in Philadelphia. It is a subsidiary of Focus Pointe Global.

FocusGroup.com offers online surveys and focus groups (which is where they get their name) as opportunities for you to earn money.

Here’s how it works: when you participate in focus groups, interviews, and complete paid surveys, you can receive payment from FocusGroup.com. It’s a great way to make some extra dough without any prior knowledge or experience.

FocusGroup.com used to be owned by Focus Pointe Global, a US-based company that’s been doing market research for 30 years. But now, it’s been taken over by Schlesinger Group, one of the big companies in the field. And in my opinion, this has actually led to some great improvements to the site.

So, let’s get down to brass tacks. How much can you actually earn from this website? To find out, we need to take a closer look at the earning potential.

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Red Flags For FocusGroup.com

1. Making Money is Not Easy

Although the process of doing surveys and joining focus groups on FocusGroup.com is simple, making a decent amount of money is not easy. Doing surveys only pays very little, and you would want to join focus groups, which, unfortunately, are only open to qualified people. This means you may need to wait to find one that suits your profile and pay rate expectations.

2. Tricky Profile Questions

It’s free to register an account on FocusGroup.com, but filling out your profile can be tricky. Some questions are very personal, and you may be concerned about your privacy. It’s understandable, but you need to be honest in order to qualify for surveys or focus groups that match your profile.

3. Not Always Qualified

Sometimes, after spending a lot of time answering survey questions, you may be notified that you’re not qualified. It can be disappointing, but it’s because you may not fit the correct demographic or don’t know enough about the products or services in the survey. When you’re not qualified, you won’t get paid, and the time you spent will be wasted.

4. Privacy Concerns

You give up a lot of privacy by telling the screeners everything from your age and income to your personal preferences. FocusGroup.com promises to provide an opt-out option before releasing your identity to clients, which is reassuring. However, it’s essential to read the privacy policy thoroughly and make an informed decision.

5. Slim Chances of Being Invited to Focus Groups

Even if you do qualify for surveys, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be invited to a focus group. This can be disappointing, especially if you were hoping to make more money from participating in these higher-paying opportunities.

6. Screening Process

While it’s understandable that FocusGroup.com needs to screen potential candidates to ensure that their data is accurate and reliable, this screening process can be a turn-off for some people. It can feel like an invasion of privacy, especially if you have to answer a lot of personal questions.

7. Limited Trustpilot Data

The fact that Focus Pointe Global, the parent company of FocusGroup.com, only has a rating of 3 out of 5 on Trustpilot may also raise some concerns. However, it’s worth noting that this rating is based on only 2 negative reviews, so it may not be representative of the company as a whole.

 

Green Lights For FocusGroup.com

1. Easy To Use

First things first, it’s easy to get started with FocusGroup.com. You don’t need to have any special skills or expertise to participate. Simply answer survey questions or participate in focus groups and voila! You get paid. It’s as simple as that. There are various earning opportunities available, so you can choose the ones that work best for you.

2. Multiple Payout Methods

Another great thing about FocusGroup.com is its payout methods. You can choose from a range of options, including Visa cards, gift cards, PayPal cash, and more. Plus, the online portal you get access to as a member makes it super easy to redeem your rewards. You can select the payout method that suits you best and get your rewards hassle-free.

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Is FocusGroup.com a Scam?

FocusGroup.com is not a scam. It’s a legitimate platform that pays you for participating in research activities, including in-person studies, online surveys, and other types of studies.

However, before you jump in and expect to earn a full-time income, it’s important to keep in mind that the payouts are on the lower side, ranging from $1 to $10 per activity. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a focus group, you may be able to earn between $45 to $250, which is definitely a bit more substantial.

But, here’s the thing. Some users have complained that despite filling out numerous surveys, they never get invited to a focus group. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to get disqualified from studies, so your efforts may not always pay off.

In other words, while you can earn a few dollars from FocusGroup.com’s online surveys, you may not make a significant amount unless you get invited to in-person studies or focus groups. And, let’s be real, it’s not passive income either – you’ll need to actively participate in studies to get paid.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to earn money, FocusGroup.com might not be for you. But, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, the site can be a legit way to earn a bit of extra cash.

• Learn more: Make Money Online Scams: How to Avoid Them?

How to make money with FocusGroup.com?

FocusGroup.com offers a variety of methods that are both convenient and interesting. Here are some ways to earn money with FocusGroup.com:

1. Take Online Surveys

One of the easiest ways to earn money is by taking online surveys. You can do them at your convenience and from anywhere you want. FocusGroup.com offers a variety of surveys on different topics, so you can find ones that interest you.

2. Participate in Focus Groups

If you live close to one of FocusGroup.com’s 16 offices across the US, you can participate in focus groups in person. You’ll be compensated right away, and it can be a fun and interesting experience. If you’re not close to one of their offices, you can participate in online focus groups that sometimes require a webcam or phone.

3. Participate in Interviews

FocusGroup.com also conducts interviews over the phone, at your own home, or at their office. You’ll be asked questions about a particular product or service, and you’ll discuss concepts and ideas related to it. These interviews are conducted by marketing research professionals, and you’ll receive prior notification via email or phone call.

4. Shop Along

A unique opportunity offered by FocusGroup.com is the chance to participate in a shop along. You’ll be accompanied by a marketing research professional on a shopping trip and asked questions about your decision-making process. While this opportunity isn’t offered by many survey panels, it can be a fun and interesting way to earn money.

5. Test Products

Another way to earn money is by testing products. You’ll be given a product to test either at home or in one of their facilities, and you’ll be asked to share your opinions via a questionnaire or group discussion. If you’re testing the product at home, you’ll be asked to submit an honest online review.

How do you get paid?

Since Schlesinger took over, FocusGroup.com has made significant improvements in their payout options. You now have several options to choose from such as Visa cards, gift cards, PayPal cash, and more. And the best part? Redeeming your rewards is a piece of cake with their online portal.

To redeem your rewards, you’ll need to earn at least 1000 points, which is equivalent to $10. Not too shabby, right? It’s a low payout threshold that’s pretty easy to reach.

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How much can you earn with FocusGroup.com?

It’s possible to make some extra money with FocusGroup.com. However, don’t expect it to replace your full-time or part-time income.

From my experience, in-person research activities usually pay more because they require more effort and time. That’s why you can expect a decent compensation for your time and energy. So, if you ever get an invitation to participate in an in-person research activity, go for it!

Online surveys, on the other hand, pay less, but they’re still worth it, considering how easy they are to participate in. If you live near any of their offices, you might have a higher chance of being invited to an in-person research activity, which pays well.

FocusGroup.com might not be the right fit for everyone, but it’s definitely a way to make some extra cash on the side. I once earned a $175 prepaid Visa card for participating in a 90-minute focus group. However, the compensation varies depending on the project. Some assignments are listed for $75, while others can pay up to $250!

If you participate in an in-person focus group like I did, you can expect to receive your payment right after the activity is over. However, telephone and online survey participants may have to wait for 6-8 weeks to receive their payment.

Can you use it on your mobile device?

Unlike other survey sites, they don’t require you to download a mobile app to get started.

Instead, all you need to do is log in to their website using your mobile device, and you’re good to go! The website is optimized for mobile use, which means you can navigate it easily, and taking online surveys is a breeze.

As a relatively new survey site, FocusGroup.com understands that many people prefer to use their mobile devices for online activities. That’s why they’ve made sure that their site is mobile-friendly, so you can complete surveys on the go.

Just make sure that your mobile device has an internet connection, and you’re all set! Unless they specify otherwise, you can take online surveys on your mobile device without any problems.

Who can join FocusGroup.com?

FocusGroup.com is a survey site that’s based in the US. So, unfortunately, if you’re not a US resident, you won’t be able to join.

Another requirement for membership is that you have to be at least 18 years old. This is pretty standard for survey sites, as they want to make sure their participants are legally able to participate in surveys.

If you’re still interested in earning money through survey sites based in the US, there are plenty of options out there. You can check out some of the top survey sites in the US and see which ones might be a good fit for you.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is there support for you?

If you ever run into any issues while using FocusGroup.com, don’t worry – there are ways to get support. 

One option is to use the contact form provided on their website to send your inquiry. However, it’s not so easy to find this form at first glance. You’ll need to go to the “contact us” page and navigate to the full help section. From there, choose a question and at the bottom of the answer, you’ll find a link to contact the helpdesk.

Another option is to try resolving the issue yourself by checking out their FAQ section. Their Troubleshooting FAQ covers some of the basic issues you might face on their website and is actually quite comprehensive. Keep in mind that the site may direct you to the FAQ section first before letting you contact them, perhaps to save both you and them time.

Overall, while it may take a bit of effort to find their contact form, it’s great to know that FocusGroup.com does have a way for you to reach out to their helpdesk if you need it.

Should you join FocusGroup.com?

If you’re considering joining FocusGroup.com to make some extra cash, there are a few things you should know. While it’s true that you can earn money by participating in their in-person research activities, the catch is that you have to live near their offices to qualify for these opportunities. So, unless you happen to live in the right location, this might not be the best way to make money online.

Instead of trading your time for money through FocusGroup.com, why not focus on building a digital asset that can generate passive income? By doing so, you can earn money while you sleep and have the freedom to work on your own terms. As Warren Buffett famously said, “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.”

So, instead of joining FocusGroup.com and limiting your earning potential, consider building a digital asset that can generate passive income. With the right mindset and strategy, you can achieve financial freedom and live life on your own terms.

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What’s the best way to make money online?

If you’re new to online business, you may think it’s difficult to start a business on your own. But actually, that’s not true. 

There’s a risk-free online business model that doesn’t need initial capital and can be done as a side hustle. It is called “affiliate marketing”.

So you may wonder, “how much can you earn in affiliate marketing?”

Actually, the earning potential of affiliate marketing is huge. There’re people who are doing it full-time and earn a 7-figure income a year.

This is a 21-year-old student from my #1 recommended training platform for affiliate marketing. He was able to earn $7395 in just a week.

That means more than $1K a day. It’s nearly impossible for you to find a part-time job that can pay you $1K a day. But affiliate marketing can.

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding one. If you’re a beginner in online business, affiliate marketing is perfect for you because it’s simple but lucrative.

And Wealthy Affiliate is my #1 top recommended platform for building an affiliate marketing business from scratch. 

If you don’t know Wealthy Affiliate, it has existed for more than a decade and is now one of the largest internet communities of affiliate marketing.

Many members of Wealthy Affiliate are able to enjoy a steady passive income, which allows them to quit their 9 to 5 jobs and travel around the world.

You can read our full review of Wealthy Affiliate here.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate is a membership platform. It has a free and premium membership.

You can sign up for the starter membership here (no credit card required) to experience yourself. There’s no time limit for the free membership.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, building 1 free website, and access to the keyword tool. There’re lots of free values you can get.

So I strongly recommend you register a free account and see it yourself.

Later, if you think affiliate marketing is a good fit for you, you can upgrade to the Premium Membership and get the most out of Wealthy Affiliate. 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below and I’ll respond as soon as possible.

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