3 Techniques for Unlocking the Power of Actionable Feedback

Gaurav Rawat
June 28, 2024
12 mins

TL;DR

Today’s businesses need to respond quickly to customer feedback. About 53% of people expect a response to a negative review within a week, and 55% view a business more positively if they see their feedback is acknowledged. This shows how important it is to use actionable feedback effectively.

Feedback is crucial for improving your product. For example, using in-app or pop-up surveys at the right time can give you valuable insights directly from your users. Consider utilizing Nudge’s advanced survey tools to seamlessly integrate feedback mechanisms and better understand your user’s needs.

Let’s look at three simple ways to make the most of these surveys. We'll start with choosing the right time to ask for feedback. As Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American Essayist said, "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." Let’s get started with the first method to optimize the collection of actionable feedback: timing your pop-up surveys wisely.

Strategic Timing of Pop-up Surveys

Timing is everything. Timing is the difference between a good review and a bad review." — Chris Rock, American comedian and actor

Timing is crucial when it comes to gathering feedback through in-app surveys. Just like catching the perfect wave, asking users for feedback at the right moment can make all the difference. Identifying these opportune moments, or "trigger moments," within your app is key. These are the points where users have just completed a task, achieved a milestone, or experienced a significant event.

Consider the user's context and mindset when timing pop-up surveys:

  • Avoid interrupting users during critical tasks or moments of high concentration.
  • Aim for natural breaks or transitions where users are more receptive to providing feedback.

By aligning survey timing with the user's experience, you can increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Strategic timing ensures that users are more likely to provide thoughtful and relevant feedback. It maximizes the effectiveness of pop-up surveys, leading to actionable insights that drive product improvements. By capitalizing on the right moments, app developers can foster a culture of continuous improvement and enhance the overall user experience.

Example

Uber uses in-app surveys to gather feedback from users after each ride. This approach helps to identify issues and improve the user experience, leading to increased satisfaction and retention.

Clear and Concise Survey Design

Once you've nailed the timing, ensure your surveys are designed for easy completion and clear to elicit actionable feedback. Just like a well-designed road sign, your survey should convey its message clearly and succinctly.

Simplify Language:

  • Use clear and straightforward language that users can easily understand.
  • Avoid technical jargon or complicated terms that may confuse users.

Limit Questions:

  • Keep your survey short and focused, with only essential questions.
  • Avoid overwhelming users with lengthy surveys that may deter them from participating.

Utilize Visuals:

  • Incorporate visual elements such as icons or illustrations to enhance comprehension.
  • Use formatting techniques like bullet points or numbered lists to organize information.

Provide Clear Instructions:

  • Clearly outline the purpose of the survey and how users can participate.
  • Offer guidance on how long the survey will take and assure users of their anonymity and privacy.

Example:

Airbnb designs its surveys to be quick and easy to complete. After a guest's stay, they send a short survey asking about their experience with the property, the listing's accuracy, and host communication. The questions are straightforward, making it simple for guests to provide feedback efficiently. This approach ensures Airbnb gathers actionable feedback promptly and effectively.

Immediate Response and Follow-up Actions

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks. Feedback is crucial for taking calculated risks." 

— Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO

Collecting actionable feedback is just the first step; what you do with it afterward is equally important. Users appreciate feeling heard and seeing their feedback leads to tangible improvements. Therefore, it's essential to respond promptly to feedback and take meaningful follow-up actions.

Acknowledge Feedback Promptly:

  • Send a thank-you message immediately after users submit their feedback to acknowledge their contribution.
  • Let users know that their feedback is valuable and will be taken into consideration.

Take Action:

  • Prioritize feedback based on its impact and feasibility of implementation.
  • Communicate any changes or improvements made as a result of user feedback to demonstrate responsiveness.

Offer Incentives:

  • Encourage participation in surveys by offering incentives such as discounts, rewards, or exclusive content.
  • Show appreciation for users' time and effort in providing feedback.

Let users know that their feedback is valuable and will be taken into consideration. With Nudge’s platform, you can automate thank-you messages and track feedback responses to react quickly and efficiently.

Example:

Netflix uses exit surveys to gather feedback from users who cancel their subscriptions. This approach helps to identify issues and improve the user experience, leading to increased satisfaction and retention.

Here’s the table of common challenges you might face, and how to overcome them:

Conclusion

Feedback is not just about collecting data; it's about building relationships with your users and continuously improving their experience. By prioritizing actionable feedback and actively engaging with users, developers can create apps that meet the evolving needs and expectations of their user base.

So, let's commit to leveraging the techniques discussed to unlock the full potential of in-app surveys and drive impactful improvements to our apps. To get more clarity, book a demo with us and learn how the survey impacts your business.

Gaurav Rawat
June 28, 2024