Lately, I’ve been talking a lot about UX & Trust (User Experience)—what makes a site inviting, trustworthy, and effective. But sometimes, the best way to understand good UX is by looking at what doesn’t work.
Case in point: A $375 research opportunity recently landed in my inbox. It was a 105-minute interview for professionals involved in e-commerce advertising—on the surface, a great chance to share insights and get paid.
But within minutes of checking it out, I knew I wasn’t touching this one.
Why I Walked Away (And Why Your Customers Might Too)
I turned down the opportunity for the same UX-related reasons that cause people to abandon websites every day. If you run a business with an online presence, ask yourself:
- Are visitors trusting your site when they land on it?
- Are they confident in your legitimacy, or are they bouncing within seconds?
- Are you making it clear who you are, what you offer, and why they should engage?
The site behind this research opportunity failed every one of these tests. Here’s how.
1. Their Website Screamed “Untrustworthy”
The first thing I did was look up their site—a single-page GoDaddy template with stock photos and no real information.
- No about page.
- No case studies or past research.
- No social proof, testimonials, or client mentions.
- No indication of who was funding the study or why.
If this had been a real business looking for real insights, they would have invested in credibility.
UX Takeaway: If your website feels barebones, generic, or lacking transparency, expect visitors to abandon it fast.
2. There Was No Real Digital Footprint
I searched for the company’s name online. Crickets.
- No active LinkedIn presence
- No verified employee profiles
- No third-party mentions or reviews
When a business claims to be handing out thousands of dollars in research incentives but has zero footprint online, it’s a huge red flag.
UX Takeaway: If your business lacks reviews, a social presence, or visibility in search results, people won’t trust you.
3. Where Was the Money Coming From?
If this company was really paying professionals $375 each for a research session, that money had to come from somewhere.
A real research firm would say:
- Who their clients are.
- What they do with the data they collect.
- Why they need specific insights.
This one? Nothing. Just “Sign up, tell us your expertise, and we’ll pay you.”
UX Takeaway: If your business model is unclear, people won’t trust you with their time (or money). Transparency builds conversion rates.
What a Legitimate Research Company Looks Like
Compare that to User Interviews, a company I’ve personally used to participate in real research studies.
Here’s what they do right:
A well-designed website that clearly explains their process.
A track record of successful studies with reviews from real participants.
Transparent information on who their clients are and how participant data is used.
A clear payment system—I’ve personally earned gift cards that I’ve used to buy digital books, clothes, gadgets, and even an iPad.
If you’re interested in legitimate paid research studies, I highly recommend checking them out:
? Sign up with my referral link
The Big UX Lesson: Trust Signals Matter
This experience reminded me that people decide in seconds whether to trust a website—or walk away.
Think about your own site:
- Does it look credible or feel thrown together?
- Can visitors find proof that you’re real (testimonials, case studies, an active presence)?
- Do you clearly explain what you do, who you help, and why they should care?
The company behind this research study failed on all counts—and that’s why I walked away.
But this isn’t just about one shady research firm. If your own website is seeing high abandonment rates, low engagement, or minimal conversions, it might be time for a UX check-up.
Want to Build a Website That Converts? Let’s Talk.
A good website doesn’t just exist—it builds trust. If you’re struggling with high bounce rates, low engagement, or a lack of credibility, let’s fix that. I specialize in optimizing existing websites to create clear, trustworthy user experiences that keep visitors engaged.
Let’s turn your site into something people actually trust.