In today’s world, side hustles may be taking the main stage as we revisit definitions of work and gigs economy is really a thing.
Focus groups are a great side hustle to earn some money on the side while having a bit of fun too! But it can be a bit tricky to scout out the good ones. That’s why each week we recommend you the top focus group in major cities across North America.
This week up: the very beautiful Vancouver. Keep reading for our best picks of focus groups in one of the best cities in the world (not only our opinion – see Wiki.)
Studies you can participate in
Vancouver isn’t only a nature lover’s hotspot. It’s also a consumer’s dream with many popular retailers headquartered in the city:
- Lululemon
- Purdy’s Chocolatier
- Lush
- Best Buy Canada
- RYU Apparel
- Hootsuite
- Saje Natural Wellness
From wellness savants to the tech-savvy, there’s something for everyone in this gorgeous green city. And these are only a few of the pickings that may be available to you!
Online focus groups that are worth checking out
If you are not yet willing to venture outdoors, no worries! There are also many popular companies that mainly offer online focus groups.
Remember, you may not qualify for every single study, so the more you apply, the more likely you are to qualify. It’s definitely a numbers game.
1. SurveyJunkie
is based in California, but is also available in Canada. If convenience is key, this company is a top choice with their mobile app. Making extra cash while on your way to your job. Now that’s a great feeling.
Qualification: Residents of USA 16+ only.
Click Here to Apply for Survey Junkie
2. Branded Surveys
includes diverse options such as video surveys along with typical online studies. Payout options include PayPal and e-gift cards from companies like Amazon and Visa.
Qualification: Residents of USA and Canada 14+
Click Here to Apply for Branded Surveys
3. LifePoints Panel
is a hip, fun survey site targeted towards the younger crowd. They list light-hearted and engaging opportunities on their site that you can view without sign up. Though, you may want to. You can earn 10 points just for joining! Upon registration, you’ll receive new surveys via email. They offer a wide variety of rewards, including cash via PayPal.
Qualification: Residents of Canada and at least 14 years old
Click Here to Apply for LifePoints Panel
4. Opinion Outpost
offers cool opportunities such as product tests, watching ads, and even outdoor ‘missions’ on top of online surveys. You can redeem your points for Paypal of popular retail gift cards. Don’t expect to be rolling in dough, but it’s a great low-barrier way to earn some cash on the fly.
Qualification: Residents of Canada and at least 18 years old
Click Here to Apply for Opinion Outpost
5. Leger Opinion
is a Canadian company that offers a steady stream of surveys and studies. Choose from PayPal cash out, or gift cards from common and useful places such as Starbucks and Uber. This company is also a great choice to earn cash on the go since it has a mobile app!
Qualification: Residents of Canada and at least 13 years old
Click Here to Apply for Leger Opinion
Top 5 Market Research Companies in Vancouver
Fair warning: It was a doozie to locate the top companies in Vancouver that offered focus groups. The ‘top 5’ actually translates into the ONLY 5 we found! We did our best 🙂 Consider our numbering system a bit more carefully this time…
1. CRC Research:
In Canada, there doesn’t seem to be a better choice than CRC Research. They are a dominant force in other provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and of course, British Columbia.
You can take your pick from online surveys, taste tests, focus groups, or individual interviews, and pay varies depending on what you choose/qualify for.
I was unable to confirm active groups at the time of writing this, but still am confident enough to rank them as #1, which is pretty bold on my part. Still, that goes to show how confident I am in this company 😉
I have personally participated in studies from this company and highly recommend them. People on Facebook cosign.
2. Insights West:
Another popular company in Canada, Insights West is relatively new to the market research space. They were established in 2012.
However, in such time they have amassed a pretty large following on Facebook with 4.6 stars on the platform. Not too shabby. They are pretty active posting mini-surveys where you can earn points in their community.
They are currently offering 100 points upon signup, which equates to $1 CAD. After that, you can earn them for completing online surveys and participating in live focus groups, discussions, and interviews. You redeem your points for gift cards.
Payout always varies widely across groups and studies, but Insights West is pretty transparent about the rewards you can expect based on your time and effort. You can review those guidelines here.
3. Vancouver Focus:
Coming in at #3, Vancouver Focus is a relatively small firm with minimal social presence. However, they do have an A+ rating on BBB with no customer reviews, and one 3 star review on Yelp. That’s not terrible considering there’s typically little-to-no data on focus groups from those platforms.
They are owned by the larger firm Justason Market Intelligence, Inc.
Taking cues from their parent company, studies may focus on civic affairs and the public sector. It may be a bit harder to qualify for studies if you aren’t involved or familiar with the industry. We were unable to confirm all the types of studies available.
You can find them in downtown Vancouver off of Nelson and Howe Street.
4. Focus Solutions Group:
Ok, I’ll be honest here. It was difficult to find information about this company. Typically we would label this one as a black box, but since there’s slim pickings, I don’t want to rule out a potentially great opportunity.
Based on their website, they definitely do seem to run on the corporate side. They highlight legal and other institutional industries. So if that’s your specialty, I’d say give it a go!
5. Rockandel & Associates:
This company seems to be a one-woman show, which is impressive. However, we couldn’t find much information on her actual focus groups.
She seems to be more of a consultant and/or contractor than a market research firm. That said, she could be a fantastic resource to connect with companies actively looking for consumer feedback.
She has an email list on her website you can sign up for.
I would check her out, but maybe save this option as a last resort. As always, definitely let us know if you find out any more or different information!
Other Great Focus Group Companies in Vancouver
With the small amount of market research firms based in Vancouver, we don’t have a list of other great companies that we can confidently recommend.
But don’t lose heart! CRC Research and Insights West are great, well-known companies to start with a wide variety of studies available.
If you think we missed any other opportunities for focus groups, please let me know in the comment section below!
Final thoughts
Vancouver is a beautiful city, but also a pricey one. Focus groups are a great way to offset the price of living. I hope you sign up for some of these opportunities so I’m not wasting either one of our time. Really, these are hard work 😉 so do us both a favor, will you?
Sign up and let me know if you’ve had success with companies and studies in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences.
Ok, my cat is demanding my attention now.
Till payday!
