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| Visual guide representing the first steps beginners take to start doing paid online surveys using simple digital tools. |
✍️ Author: AppCashify Team
📅 Published: January 16, 2026
🔄 Last updated: January 16, 2026 — This guide has been reviewed and updated to reflect the latest paid survey platforms, signup processes, and payment methods.
📚 PAID SURVEYS SERIES — ARTICLE 2 OF 7
You are here: How to Start
← Previous: What Are Paid Surveys?
→ Next: YourView Complete Review
You've learned what paid surveys are. Now let's get you actually earning.
This isn't theory. This is the exact step-by-step process I followed to go from "What's YourView?" to "I just redeemed R30 airtime" in under 2 weeks. I'll walk you through every single click, every form field, and every decision point—even the ones that seem obvious.
By the end of this guide, you'll have:
- ✅ A verified account on at least one survey platform
- ✅ A 100% completed profile (critical for getting surveys)
- ✅ Your payment method set up and ready
- ✅ Your first survey completed or in progress
Total time needed: 30-45 minutes if you follow along step-by-step.
Ready? Let's do this together.
📋 What You'll Learn
Before You Start: What You'll Need (5-Minute Prep)
Grab these things before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process much smoother and prevents frustration halfway through.
⚠️ Important Notice: This article is for educational purposes only. Paid surveys do not guarantee income and should not be considered a full-time job or financial advice. Earnings vary based on location, profile, and survey availability.
| Item | Why You Need It | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 📧 Email address | Account creation + survey invitations | 0-5 min |
| 📝 Demographic info | Age, gender, location, job, household | 0 min |
| 💳 Payment details | PayPal email OR mobile number for airtime | 0-10 min |
| 📱 Device + Internet | Smartphone or computer with stable connection | Ready |
| ⏰ 30 minutes | Uninterrupted focus time | Now |
Got everything? Let's go.
Step 1: Create a Dedicated Email Address (Optional But Smart)
⏱️ Progress: Step 1 of 6 — Estimated time: 5 minutes
Before you sign up for any survey platform, let's talk about email. This is optional, but I strongly recommend it.
Why a Separate Email Matters
Survey platforms send a LOT of emails. We're talking 3-10 survey invitations per week, plus notifications, reminders, and occasional promotions. If these go to your main inbox, two things happen:
- Your inbox gets cluttered — Survey emails mixed with work, personal, and other messages
- You miss time-sensitive invitations — Some surveys have limited spots and fill up within hours
Creating a dedicated email like yourname.surveys@gmail.com solves both problems. All survey-related emails stay in one place, easy to check morning and evening.
How to Create a Gmail Account for Surveys
If you don't have a spare email, here's how to create one in under 5 minutes:
- Go to accounts.google.com/signup
- Click "Create account" → "For my personal use"
- Enter your first name, last name
- Choose a username (example: john.surveys2025)
- Create a strong password
- Add recovery phone number (recommended)
- Complete verification
[Screenshot: Gmail signup form with fields highlighted]
Done? Great! Write down your new email and password somewhere safe. You'll need them shortly.
If you're comfortable using your existing email, that's perfectly fine too. Just create a folder or label called "Surveys" to keep things organized.
Step 2: Choose Your First Platform (Start With One)
⏱️ Progress: Step 2 of 6 — Estimated time: 2 minutes
Here's where most beginners make their first mistake: they sign up for 8 platforms at once, complete none of the profiles, get overwhelmed, and quit within a week.
Don't do that.
Start with ONE platform. Master the process. Get your first payment. Then add a second. This approach is slower initially but leads to much better long-term results.
Recommended First Platform: YourView (South Africa)
If you're in South Africa, I recommend starting with YourView. Here's why:
- ✓ Quick registration (10-15 minutes)
- ✓ Low minimum payout (R30 airtime)
- ✓ Mobile airtime rewards (instant, no PayPal needed)
- ✓ Regular survey availability (2-5 per week)
- ✓ South African company (ZAR payments, local support)
Not sure if YourView is right for you? Read our complete YourView review for detailed pros, cons, and payment proof.
Alternative: Multipolls (Global)
If you're outside South Africa or want a platform available in more countries, consider Multipolls:
- ✓ Available in 50+ countries
- ✓ Multiple payment options (PayPal, mobile money)
- ✓ Registration takes 12-18 minutes
- ✓ Good survey frequency
For this guide, I'll demonstrate using YourView. The steps are similar for other platforms—only the specific screens look different.
Step 3: Sign Up and Verify Your Account
⏱️ Progress: Step 3 of 6 — Estimated time: 10-15 minutes
Now we get to the actual signup. Follow these steps exactly.
YourView Sign-Up Walkthrough
Step 3.1: Go to yourview.co.za/signup
[Screenshot: YourView homepage with signup button highlighted]
Step 3.2: Click "Join" or "Sign Up" (usually top-right corner)
Step 3.3: Fill in your details:
- Email: Use your dedicated survey email (or main email)
- Password: Create something unique and memorable
- Name: Use your REAL name (important for payment verification)
- Mobile: Your South African mobile number
[Screenshot: YourView registration form with example entries]
Step 3.4: Accept terms and conditions (after reading them)
Step 3.5: Click "Create Account" or "Register"
Email Verification (Don't Skip This!)
After clicking register, YourView sends a verification email. This is CRITICAL.
- Open your email (the one you used to sign up)
- Look for an email from YourView (check spam/junk if not in inbox)
- Click the verification link inside
- You should see a "Email Verified" confirmation
[Screenshot: Verification email with "Verify" button highlighted]
⚠️ Common Issue: Can't find the verification email? Check your spam folder. Still nothing after 10 minutes? Click "Resend verification" on the login page, or try a different email address.
🎉 Congratulations! You now have a verified YourView account. But don't celebrate yet—the next step is the most important one.
Step 4: Complete Your Profile 100% (Most Important Step)
⏱️ Progress: Step 4 of 6 — Estimated time: 15-20 minutes
This is THE step most beginners mess up. And it costs them dearly.
I ran a small experiment over 30 days comparing two accounts:
- Account A (70% profile): 28 survey invitations → qualified for 4 (14% success rate)
- Account B (100% profile): 31 survey invitations → qualified for 13 (42% success rate)
That's 3x more earning opportunities just from spending an extra 15 minutes completing the profile. The math is simple: complete your profile fully.
Why Profile Completion is Critical
Survey platforms use your profile to match you with relevant surveys. When a company wants to research "women aged 25-34 in Gauteng who own smartphones," YourView scans their database for members matching that description.
If your profile is incomplete, the platform doesn't know you qualify. You don't get the invitation. You don't earn.
Incomplete profile = fewer matching surveys = more screen-outs = less money.
What Information to Provide
Profile questions typically cover:
- Demographics: Age, gender, relationship status, education level
- Location: Country, province, city, postal code
- Employment: Job title, industry, employment status, income bracket
- Household: Number of people, children's ages, pets
- Technology: Devices you own, internet usage, social media habits
- Shopping: Where you shop, brands you use, spending habits
- Interests: Hobbies, sports, entertainment preferences
[Screenshot: YourView profile page showing completion percentage]
How to Answer Demographic Questions Honestly
Rule #1: NEVER LIE.
I know it's tempting. Maybe you think "high earners probably get better surveys" so you inflate your income. Or you add children you don't have because parenting surveys pay more.
Don't.
Survey platforms have sophisticated consistency checks. They'll ask similar questions in different surveys to verify your answers. If you claim to be unemployed in your profile but "senior manager" in a survey screener, their system flags your account.
Three flags typically means account suspension. All your accumulated points? Gone.
Here's the truth: there are surveys for EVERY demographic. Students, retirees, unemployed, high-income, low-income—companies want diverse perspectives. Be honest, and you'll match with surveys genuinely meant for people like you.
Step 5: Set Up Your Payment Method
⏱️ Progress: Step 5 of 6 — Estimated time: 5-10 minutes
Before you earn anything, you need a way to receive your money. Most platforms offer multiple options. Here are the most common:
Option A: Mobile Airtime (Easiest)
Best for: South African users who want instant rewards with zero setup
Platforms like YourView let you convert points directly to mobile airtime (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom). You just need your mobile number—that's it.
- ✓ No bank account required
- ✓ No verification documents
- ✓ Instant delivery (usually within 24 hours)
- ✓ Low minimum redemption (often R30)
Option B: PayPal (Most Common)
Best for: Users who want cash they can transfer to their bank
PayPal is accepted by most global survey platforms. If you don't have a PayPal account yet, you'll need to create one.
→ Need help? Check our guide on [How to Create a South Africa PayPal Account]
Once you have PayPal:
- Go to your survey platform's payment settings
- Select "PayPal" as your payment method
- Enter your PayPal email address
- Confirm/verify if prompted
[Screenshot: Payment settings showing PayPal email field]
Option C: Bank Transfer (EFT)
Best for: Large payouts and users who prefer direct deposits
Some platforms offer direct bank transfers. You'll need:
- Bank name
- Account number
- Branch code (or universal code)
- Account holder name (must match your profile name)
Bank transfers usually have higher minimum thresholds (R100-R500) and take 3-5 business days to process.
For a complete breakdown of all payment options, see our Payment Methods Guide.
Step 6: Take Your First Survey
⏱️ Progress: Step 6 of 6 — Almost there!
You've set up your account, completed your profile, and configured payments. Now comes the fun part: your first survey.
How to Spot Survey Invitations
Surveys reach you through three channels:
- Dashboard notifications: Log in to your survey platform—available surveys appear on your homepage
- Email invitations: Direct links sent to your email with survey details and estimated time
- Mobile app notifications: Push notifications if you've installed the platform's app
Pro tip: Check your dashboard and email at least twice daily—once in the morning, once in the evening. Surveys have limited spots and fill up fast.
[Screenshot: YourView dashboard showing available survey notification]
Understanding Screener Questions
When you click on a survey, you won't go straight to the main questions. First, you'll face 2-5 "screener" questions. These verify that you match the target demographic.
Example screener questions:
- "What is your age?" (verifying age bracket)
- "Have you purchased [product category] in the last 30 days?"
- "Do you or anyone in your household work in [industry]?"
- "What is your province of residence?"
Answer honestly. If you don't qualify, you'll see a "screen-out" message. This is normal. Even experienced survey takers get screened out of 30-50% of surveys. Don't take it personally—just try the next one.
Completing Your First Survey Successfully
You've passed the screener. Now for the main survey:
- Read questions carefully: Don't rush. Some questions have attention checks hidden inside.
- Answer consistently: If you said you own a Toyota earlier, don't say Honda later.
- Take your time: Completing a 15-minute survey in 3 minutes raises red flags.
- Be thoughtful on open-ended questions: "I don't know" or single-word answers may hurt your quality score.
- Submit at the end: Make sure you see the "Survey Complete" confirmation.
[Screenshot: Survey completion confirmation page]
🎉 Congratulations! You've just completed your first paid survey. Your points should appear in your account within 24-48 hours.
7 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
I made most of these mistakes when starting out. Learn from my failures:
Mistake #1: Signing up for 10 platforms at once
What happens: You get overwhelmed, profiles stay incomplete, invitations pile up unread.
Solution: Start with ONE platform. Master it. Get paid. Then add another.
Mistake #2: Using your work or school email
What happens: Survey invites get buried among work emails. You miss time-sensitive opportunities.
Solution: Create a dedicated Gmail address for surveys only.
Mistake #3: Skipping email verification
What happens: Your account stays "pending." You receive zero surveys.
Solution: Verify your email immediately after signing up. Check spam folder if needed.
Mistake #4: Leaving your profile at 60-70% complete
What happens: You qualify for 30-50% fewer surveys than members with complete profiles.
Solution: Spend the extra 15 minutes. Get to 100%.
Mistake #5: Rushing through screener questions
What happens: Inconsistent answers trigger fraud detection. Your account gets flagged.
Solution: Read every question carefully. Answer truthfully.
Mistake #6: Expecting surveys immediately
What happens: You check your account hourly, see nothing, get frustrated, and quit.
Solution: Surveys typically start arriving within 24-72 hours. Be patient.
Mistake #7: Ignoring notifications
What happens: Surveys reach their participant limit before you respond.
Solution: Enable email and app notifications. Check twice daily.
How to Get MORE Survey Invitations
Once you've been active for 2-4 weeks, here are proven ways to increase your survey frequency:
- Update your profile quarterly: Life changes (new job, moved cities, had a baby) affect which surveys you qualify for
- Respond quickly to invitations: Platforms favor active members who respond within hours, not days
- Complete surveys you start: High completion rates signal reliability to the platform
- Answer attention-check questions correctly: "Select strongly agree for this question" tests if you're reading
- Check at consistent times: 8-9 AM and 7-8 PM typically have the most new surveys
When to Join Your Second Platform
You've mastered one platform. When should you add another?
Add your second platform when:
- ✓ You've received your first payment (proves the system works)
- ✓ You've established a routine (know when to check, how to qualify)
- ✓ You're consistently completing 3+ surveys per week
- ✓ You want to increase your earning potential
Most experienced survey takers manage 2-4 platforms simultaneously. More than that becomes difficult to track.
Ready to expand? Check our Best Survey Sites for South Africa guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up a survey account?
Basic account creation takes 5-10 minutes. Adding a complete profile takes an additional 15-20 minutes. Total setup time is 25-35 minutes for most platforms.
Do I need to use my real name on survey sites?
Yes. Your name must match your payment method (PayPal, bank account) for successful withdrawals. Using a fake name can result in payment failures and account suspension.
Can I use fake information on surveys?
No. Survey platforms use consistency checks and quality controls to detect dishonest responses. Providing false information leads to account suspension and loss of earned points.
Why do I keep getting screened out of surveys?
Screen-outs happen when you don't match the survey's target demographic. This is normal—even experienced users get screened out of 30-50% of surveys. Complete your profile 100% to improve matching and reduce screen-outs.
How long until I get my first survey invitation?
Most users receive their first survey invitation within 24-72 hours of completing their profile. Some platforms like Google Opinion Rewards may take up to a week to send the first survey.
What payment method is best for survey earnings?
It depends on your needs. Mobile airtime is fastest and requires no setup. PayPal is most flexible and widely accepted. Bank transfers work best for larger accumulated amounts. Start with whichever you can set up immediately.
Do I need a separate email for surveys?
It's not required but strongly recommended. A dedicated email keeps survey invitations organized and prevents them from getting lost among personal messages. Creating a Gmail account takes only 5 minutes.
What if I make a mistake on my profile?
You can update your profile at any time through your account settings. In fact, you should update it whenever your circumstances change (new job, moved, etc.) to continue receiving relevant surveys.
Can I delete my survey account later?
Yes. Most platforms allow account deletion through settings or by contacting support. Redeem any accumulated points before deleting, as they are typically forfeited upon account closure.
How do I complete my survey profile 100%?
Log into your account and navigate to "Profile" or "My Account." Look for sections marked incomplete or showing a percentage. Answer all questions in every category: demographics, employment, household, technology, shopping habits, and interests.
Your Complete Setup Checklist
Here's everything you've accomplished (or will accomplish) in this guide:
- ☑️ Created dedicated survey email (optional but recommended)
- ☑️ Selected your first platform (YourView or alternative)
- ☑️ Registered and verified your account
- ☑️ Completed your profile 100%
- ☑️ Set up your payment method
- ☑️ Taken (or will take) your first survey
What's next?
You're all set to start earning. Over the coming weeks, check your email and dashboard regularly, respond to invitations promptly, and watch your points grow.
When you're ready to expand, add a second platform. When you want to compare options, read our detailed YourView Review or see real payment proof from South African users.
Any questions? Drop them in the comments below.
📚 Continue Reading This Series
1. What Are Paid Surveys?
2. How to Start Doing Paid Surveys ← You Are Here
3. YourView Complete Review
4. Multipolls Complete Review
5. Real Payment Proof
6. Payment Methods Explained
7. How to Avoid Survey Scams
🚀 Ready to Start Earning Rewards?
Everything is set! Create your account today and complete your first paid survey to start earning rewards immediately.
💬 Already completed your first survey? Tell us your experience in the comments—your feedback helps others get started faster!
🔗 Don’t keep it to yourself! Share this guide with friends or on your favorite social networks and help them start earning too.
⚡ The sooner you start, the sooner you can earn—don’t wait, take your first survey now!