Why use online surveys?
Some might think that online surveys are no longer helpful and are outdated. Several online tools can indeed give you some precious information about your clients' habits and preferences, but increasingly, legislation decreases the possibility of collecting personal data. Therefore, it becomes more challenging to have access to everything you need to make informed decisions.
It is where online surveys can help. Indeed, it is possible to use them in many ways to reach your various objectives. Many tools allow you to automatize the process to help you always have new data and the possibility to react quickly if there is an issue.
How can you convince your clients to complete a survey?
Online surveys are a marketing tool used by many companies. It is then possible that your clients are not interested in filling out another form. What can you do to convince them to give their opinion?
First, mention that the survey will only consist of a few questions. Remain short and specific. Use choices of answers when possible. The longer the survey, the more likely people will leave before finishing it.
Next, there is the option of offering an incentive to encourage people to complete your survey. You have likely already seen some brands saying they would draw a price among everyone who answered the questions. It is an idea. Otherwise, you can offer a discount or a small gift at the end to thank your clients for participating. Generally, the more they care about a product or a project, the more they will accept to get involved.
When is it relevant to send an online survey?
Now that you know more about the relevance of online surveys, when should you use them? We found four interesting uses you should consider.
After a purchase
The first moment you should consider sending a survey is after a purchase. Whether it is a product, a service, or a training course, you likely want to know if it meets your client's needs. Are they satisfied? If not, what could be improved? Here is another tip: wait a few days before sending the survey. Remember that it may take a few days before your client receives their order and starts using the product.
After contacting customer service
People may contact you to ask questions. Others might want to communicate with you because they are unsatisfied or have problems. Since customer service is often one of a business's bases, verifying whether your team fulfilled the expectations could be wise. It can be done easily by sending a short survey.
During market research
What can you do to ensure your new product or service is successful? Of course, you can launch ad campaigns and work with influencers, but did you consider using a survey to ask your community what they think about it? Besides telling them about some exclusive information, you could check if it is something that could interest them and collect their comments.
To learn more about your employees’ satisfaction
On another topic, you could also use online surveys to learn what your employees think. Are they satisfied with their work? Is there something they worry about? What could be improved? Of course, to get honest feedback, we strongly recommend ensuring the answers are anonymous. Employee retention often costs less than replacing employees regularly.
Four interesting tools to send an online survey
Do you want to send a survey but need help knowing where to start? Many tools can help you with this. Start by writing a list of questions, then send everything with just a few clicks.
Google Forms
If you are familiar with the Google Suite, you may already know about Google Forms. It is a free tool provided by Google that allows you to create and send basic surveys.
SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey could be a good option if you are looking for a platform that allows you to manage many surveys and offers customization options.
Typeform
Another interesting tool for online surveys is TypeForm. One of its great features is the possibility of creating dynamic forms that look attractive and modern.
Officevibe
Finally, if you want to monitor your employees’ satisfaction rate, a tool like Officevibe could be relevant. It provides various questionnaires and helps you monitor your results over time.
In conclusion, it is false to think that online surveys are useless. On the contrary, we believe that they will become even more popular in the next years. You are responsible for determining when to contact your clients and encouraging them to complete your form.
Whatever the number of returns you receive, remember to monitor the results closely, as you would when sending a newsletter!