How to Create an Online Survey

How to Create Awesome Online Surveys

Want to gather great data online? Online surveys are your friend! Whether you're checking in with customers or doing some market research, knowing how to build a good survey is key. This guide will walk you through it, step by step.

1. Know What You Want (and Who You're Asking!)

Before you even think about making a survey, figure out what you need to know. What info are you after? What questions need answering? Really think about this. It'll shape your whole survey. And, who are you asking? Are they tech-savvy teens? Or seasoned professionals? Knowing your audience helps you write questions they'll understand.

2. Pick the Right Survey Tool

Lots of survey platforms are out there! Here are a few popular ones:

• SurveyMonkey: A solid choice for many needs.
• Qualtrics: Powerful stuff, great for big research projects.
• Typeform: Looks pretty and is easy to use.
• Google Forms: Simple and free – perfect for quick surveys.
• JotForm: Lots of options and easy to customize.

Think about:

• Is it easy to use?
• Does it have all the features you need? (like branching questions)
• How much does it cost?
• Can it talk to other tools you use?
• Is your data safe and private?

3. Ask the Right Questions

Your questions are everything! Make them clear and simple. Avoid tricky wording or jargon. Think like your audience. Here are some types of questions to consider:

1. Multiple choice: Easy to answer and analyze.
2. Rating scales (like Likert scales): "Strongly agree" to "Strongly disagree".
3. Ranking questions: "Rank these from best to worst."
4. Open-ended questions: Let people write their own answers. Great for getting detailed feedback, but takes longer to analyze.
5. Demographic questions: Age, gender, location, etc. Put these at the end!

Pro-tip: Test your survey on a few people first! This helps catch any confusing bits.

4. Survey Structure: Keep it Flowing

A well-structured survey is easier to complete. Group similar questions together. Use headings to break things up. Start with easy, fun questions and gradually get to the more serious stuff. Keep it short! Shorter surveys get more responses.

5. Test, Test, Test!

Before sending your survey out, test it! Get some friends or colleagues to take it. Their feedback will save you headaches later.

6. Get the Word Out

How will people find your survey? Try these:

• Email: Personalized emails work well.
• Social media: Share on relevant platforms.
• Your website: Put a link on your site.
• Paid ads: Target specific groups of people.

7. Analyze Your Results

Most survey tools give you basic analysis tools. You can also export the data to a spreadsheet program for deeper analysis. Look for patterns and trends.

8. Share Your Findings

Make a clear report summarizing your results. Use charts and graphs to make it easy to understand. Show how your findings can be used to make better decisions.

Best Practices for Super Surveys

Here's the secret sauce for awesome surveys:

• Keep it short and sweet.
• Use simple language.
• Test it thoroughly!
• Offer an incentive (maybe a small gift card?).
• Ensure anonymity and confidentiality.
• Say thanks!
• Keep an eye on your response rate.

Creating a great online survey takes some planning, but the payoff is huge. You'll get valuable data to help make better decisions. It’s worth the effort!