Did you know that over 95% of companies use online survey software to gather data? This is because these tools offer an efficient way to create and distribute surveys, enabling businesses to understand customer needs and drive informed decisions. While 31% of respondents give effective reactions to traditional online surveys with Likert scales, surveys powered by game mechanics (i.e., gamification) get reactions from 69% of respondents.
The significance of online survey software cannot be overstated; it provides crucial insights that help businesses adapt to market demands and improve their offerings. Utilizing high-quality online survey software brings numerous benefits, including rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to reach a vast audience.
Let’s learn more about online survey types, benefits, and some of the top online survey software in the market.
Types of Online Surveys
When you deal with online survey software, you will find a wide range of survey types, among which you can choose as per your requirements. For a better understanding, here are some of the top online survey types:
1. Multiple-Choice Surveys
These surveys present respondents with a list of options to choose from for each question. They are ideal for gathering quantitative data and are easy for respondents to complete.
Example: "Which of the following social media platforms do you use most frequently?"
2. Rating Scale Surveys
Rating scale surveys ask respondents to rate items on a numerical scale, such as 1 to 5 or 1 to 10. These are often used for measuring satisfaction, agreement, or frequency.
Example: "On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied are you with our customer service?"
- 1 (Very Dissatisfied)
- 2 (Dissatisfied)
- 3 (Neutral)
- 4 (Satisfied)
- 5 (Very Satisfied)
3. Likert Scale Surveys
Likert scale surveys use a series of statements to which respondents express their level of agreement or disagreement, typically on a 5- or 7-point scale. This format is useful for measuring attitudes and opinions.
Example: "Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statement: 'I find the company's website easy to navigate.'"
- Strongly Disagree
- Disagree
- Neutral
- Agree
- Strongly Agree
4. Open-Ended Surveys
Open-ended surveys allow respondents to answer questions in their own words. This format is useful for collecting detailed qualitative data and gaining deeper insights.
Example: "What do you like most about our product?"
- [Open text box]
5. Dropdown Surveys
Dropdown surveys present respondents with a list of options in a dropdown menu for each question. This format is space-efficient and keeps the survey concise.
Example: "What is your age range?"
- 18-24
- 25-34
- 35-44
- 45-54
- 55+
6. Matrix Surveys
Matrix surveys display multiple questions in a grid format, where respondents select their answers from a consistent set of options for each question. This format is efficient for gathering data on related items.
Example: "Please rate the following aspects of our service on a scale from 1 to 5."
7. Slider Surveys
Slider surveys allow respondents to indicate their answers by moving a slider along a scale. This interactive format can be engaging and is useful for capturing nuanced data.
Example: "How likely are you to recommend our product to a friend? (0 being not likely, 10 being very likely)"
- [Slider scale from 0 to 10]
8. Image Choice Surveys
Image choice surveys present respondents with images instead of text options. This format can be more engaging and is useful for visual-based questions.
Example: "Which of the following logos do you prefer for our brand?"
- [Image of Logo A]
- [Image of Logo B]
- [Image of Logo C]
9. Ranking Surveys
Ranking surveys ask respondents to rank a list of items in order of preference or importance. This format helps understand priorities and preferences.
Example: "Please rank the following features in order of importance to you."
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Price
- Feature Set
10. Yes/No Surveys
Yes/No surveys ask simple binary questions that require a straightforward yes or no answer. This format is quick and easy for respondents to complete.
Example: "Did you find everything you were looking for on our website today?"
- Yes
- No
11. Net Promoter Score (NPS) Surveys
NPS surveys ask respondents to rate their likelihood of recommending a product or service on a scale of 0 to 10. This format is widely used for measuring customer loyalty.
Example: "On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend our service to a friend or colleague?"
- 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Advantages of Online Surveys
Now, why should you invest in good online survey software? Well, there are many reasons, and we have listed down a few of them. Here are some of the benefits of online surveys:
1. Cost-Effective Online surveys eliminate the need for paper, postage, and manual data entry, significantly reducing costs. This makes them an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.
2. Speed and Efficiency Online surveys can be created, distributed, and analyzed quickly. Responses are collected in real time, allowing for faster decision-making and quicker implementation of changes.
3. Wide Reach With online surveys, businesses can reach a global audience. This broad reach helps gather diverse data, leading to more comprehensive insights.
4. Convenience for Respondents Respondents can complete surveys at their convenience using any device with internet access. This flexibility often results in higher response rates.
5. Easy Data Analysis Most online survey tools provide built-in data analysis features, such as charts and graphs. These tools help quickly interpret data and generate reports, simplifying the decision-making process.
6. Customization and Flexibility Online surveys offer various customization options, allowing businesses to tailor questions to their specific needs. Surveys can include different question types, such as multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions.
7. Anonymity and Confidentiality Respondents often feel more comfortable providing honest feedback when they can remain anonymous. Online surveys can ensure confidentiality, leading to more accurate and truthful responses.
8. Real-Time Monitoring Businesses can monitor responses in real-time and make adjustments if necessary. This immediate feedback loop is valuable for improving survey quality and relevance.
9. Environmentally Friendly Online surveys are paperless, making them an eco-friendly option. Reducing paper usage contributes to environmental sustainability.
10. Integration with Other Tools Many online survey platforms can integrate with other software, such as CRM systems and email marketing tools. This integration allows for seamless data transfer and better alignment with business processes.
Key Functionalities to Look for in an Online Survey Tool
Selecting the right online survey software for your business might be a little difficult. To ease your selection process, we have listed down some features that you should look for in an online survey software before selecting it.
1. Full customization to align with brand identity
When choosing an online survey tool, it's essential to consider the ability to customize the survey to match your brand's look and feel. This includes options like adding your logo, choosing colors that align with your branding, and using fonts that are consistent with your company's style guide.
2. Built-in analytics for data analysis and insights
A robust online survey tool should offer comprehensive analytics capabilities to help you make sense of the data you collect. Look for features like real-time reporting, interactive dashboards, and the ability to filter and segment data based on various criteria.
3. Intuitive, user-friendly dashboards for easy survey management
Managing multiple surveys can quickly become overwhelming, especially if the tool you're using has a cluttered and confusing interface. An intuitive, user-friendly dashboard is essential for keeping your survey projects organized and accessible.
4. Smart automation and workflows to streamline the survey process
Automating repetitive tasks can save you a significant amount of time and effort when conducting online surveys. Look for a tool that offers smart automation features, such as automated email reminders, conditional logic, and skip patterns.
5. Integrated templates and question types for various needs
When selecting an online survey tool, it's essential to consider the range of templates and question types available. Look for a tool that offers a variety of pre-designed templates for different survey types, such as customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and market research.
6. Support options including tutorials and customer service
Even the most user-friendly online survey tool can benefit from comprehensive support options. Look for a tool that offers a range of support resources, such as detailed tutorials, FAQs, and user guides. These resources can help you get up to speed quickly and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Additionally, consider the availability of customer service, including email, phone, or live chat support.
7. Capabilities for both qualitative and quantitative research
While online surveys are primarily used for quantitative research, collecting qualitative data can also be valuable. Look for a tool that offers features for gathering open-ended feedback, such as text boxes or file uploads. This allows respondents to provide more detailed and nuanced responses, which can help you gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
8. AI-powered insights for advanced data analysis
As the field of online surveys continues to evolve, AI-powered insights are becoming an increasingly valuable feature. Look for a tool that leverages artificial intelligence to analyze your survey data and provide advanced insights. This could include features like sentiment analysis, which can help you understand the emotional tone of respondents' open-ended feedback, or predictive analytics, which can help you anticipate future trends and behaviors.
6 Best Online Survey Software
Now, finally, it is time to see some of the top online survey software companies that you should consider for your business.
1. Nudge
Nudge’s official website
Nudge provides an easy-to-use interface for designing and launching surveys without any coding or technical expertise required. This online survey feature offers a variety of customizable survey templates and the ability to target specific audience segments.
Here are some of the top features of this survey tool:
- Intuitive Survey Builder
Nudge offers an easy-to-use survey builder with a wide range of customizable templates. Users can design surveys without any coding or technical expertise, allowing for quick and efficient survey creation.
- Targeted Audience Engagement
The platform enables users to target specific audience segments, ensuring that surveys reach the right people and collect valuable insights. This targeted approach helps organizations better understand their customers and make informed decisions.
- Insightful Data Collection
Nudge allows users to collect a wealth of user insights, including:
- Measuring Net Promoter Score (NPS) to gauge customer loyalty and satisfaction
- Understanding user preferences to inform product development
- Identifying product gaps and areas for improvement
- Seamless Integration
The platform seamlessly integrates with other tools, making it easy to incorporate survey data into existing workflows and systems. Nudge boasts a fast and smooth integration process, allowing users to start building engaging user experiences in as little as 30 minutes.
- Comprehensive Survey Management
Nudge offers features for launching surveys, collecting data, and analyzing insights. Users can track survey performance and access real-time reports to make informed decisions and iterate on their products.
- Empowering Product and Growth Teams
Nudge is a comprehensive platform that empowers product and growth teams to create, distribute, and analyze online surveys. By providing a robust set of features and capabilities, the platform enables organizations to better understand their users and drive business success.
We stand out as a leading platform for creating and conducting exceptional online surveys, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience that delivers valuable insights to drive informed decision-making and product innovation.
2. Google Forms
Google Form’s official website
Google Forms is a powerful and versatile online survey software offering various features for creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys.
Here are some of the top features of this survey tool:
- Intuitive Survey Builder
Provides an easy-to-use interface for designing surveys without any coding or technical expertise. Offers a variety of customizable templates and question types, including multiple-choice, short answer, checkboxes, and more.
- Targeted Audience Engagement
Allows users to target specific audience segments for their surveys. Enables collecting valuable insights, such as measuring Net Promoter Score (NPS), understanding user preferences, and identifying product gaps.
- Seamless Integration
Integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace tools, making it easy to incorporate survey data into existing workflows. Boasts a fast and smooth integration process, allowing users to start building engaging user experiences in as little as 30 minutes.
- Comprehensive Survey Management
Offers features for launching surveys, collecting data, and analyzing insights in real-time. Provides the ability to track survey performance and access detailed reports to inform decision-making and product iteration.
- Collaboration and Sharing
Enables multiple users to collaborate on survey creation and management. Allows for easy sharing of surveys with specific individuals or making them publicly accessible.
- Versatility and Scalability
Supports a wide range of use cases, from simple feedback forms to complex market research surveys. Offers unlimited forms, questions, and submissions, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.
3. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey’s official website
SurveyMonkey is a leading online survey software that offers a wide range of features for creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys.
Here are some of the top features of this survey tool:
- Intuitive Survey Builder
SurveyMonkey provides an easy-to-use interface for designing surveys without any coding or technical expertise. It offers a variety of customizable templates and question types, including multiple-choice, short-answer, checkboxes, and more. Users can choose from 31 survey templates (or 51 in premium plans) and 15 types of questions.
- Targeted Audience Engagement
SurveyMonkey allows users to target specific audience segments for their surveys. It enables collecting valuable insights, such as measuring Net Promoter Score (NPS), understanding user preferences, and identifying product gaps.
- Comprehensive Survey Management
SurveyMonkey offers features for launching surveys, collecting data, and analyzing insights in real time. It provides the ability to track survey performance and access detailed reports to inform decision-making and product iteration. Users can administer surveys via email, web links, Facebook, embed links on web pages, links via Twitter, and website pop-ups.
- Robust Reporting and Analytics
SurveyMonkey offers robust reporting and analytics capabilities, including multiple custom reports, response download, custom chart creation and download functionality, and options to share responses. It also integrates with other tools like Salesforce and Google Analytics.
- Customization Options
Premium plans offer more customization options like adding a custom "Thank You" page and generating a printable PDF version. It allows for setting answer choice randomization, presenting a survey completion bar, adding auto-numbered pages, and controlling data input by validation.
4. Qualtrics
Qualtrics’ official website
Qualtrics is another top online survey software that offers a robust set of features for creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys.
Here are some of the top features of this survey tool:
- Intuitive Survey Builder
Qualtrics provides an easy-to-use survey builder with a wide range of customizable templates and question types. Users can design surveys without any coding or technical expertise, allowing for quick and efficient survey creation.
The platform offers various survey templates (few included in premium plans) and various types of questions, including multiple-choice, short answer, checkboxes, and more.
- Targeted Audience Engagement
Qualtrics enables users to target specific audience segments for their surveys. This allows organizations to collect valuable insights, such as measuring Net Promoter Score (NPS), understanding user preferences, and identifying product gaps.
- Comprehensive Survey Management
Qualtrics offers features for launching surveys, collecting data, and analyzing insights in real time. Users can track survey performance and access detailed reports to inform decision-making and product iteration. Surveys can be distributed via email, web links, social media, embedded on web pages, and more.
- Robust Reporting and Analytics
Qualtrics provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities, including custom reports, response downloads, and options to share insights. It also integrates with other tools like Salesforce and Google Analytics, enabling seamless data incorporation.
- Customization and Flexibility
Premium Qualtrics plans offer more customization options, such as adding a custom page, generating a printable PDF version, and controlling data input through validation. The platform also allows for advanced programming and custom question types for complex research projects.
5. Microsoft Forms
Microsoft Forms’ official website
Microsoft Forms is a powerful and user-friendly online survey software that offers a wide range of features for creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys.
Here are some of the top features of this survey tool:
- Intuitive Survey Builder
Microsoft Forms provides an easy-to-use interface for designing surveys without any coding or technical expertise. It offers a variety of customizable templates and question types, including multiple-choice, short-answer, checkboxes, and more.
- Targeted Audience Engagement
Microsoft Forms allows users to target specific audience segments for their surveys. It enables collecting valuable insights, such as measuring Net Promoter Score (NPS), understanding user preferences, and identifying product gaps.
- Comprehensive Survey Management
Microsoft Forms offers features for launching surveys, collecting data, and analyzing insights in real time. It provides the ability to track survey performance and access detailed reports to inform decision-making and product iteration. Surveys can be distributed via email, web links, social media, embedded on web pages, and more.
- Robust Reporting and Analytics
Microsoft Forms offers robust reporting and analytics capabilities, including custom reports, response downloads, and options to share insights. It also integrates with other Microsoft tools like Excel, enabling seamless data incorporation and visualization.
- Integration with Microsoft Stream
Microsoft Forms can be integrated with Microsoft's video-sharing service, Stream, allowing users to insert forms within videos. This feature makes surveys more interactive and engaging for viewers, as the form will pop up at a specific point in the video.
6. Zoho Survey
Zoho Survey’s official website
Another best online survey software in the current market that offers a wide range of features for creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys.
Here are some of the top features of this survey tool:
- Intuitive Survey Builder
Zoho Survey provides an easy-to-use interface for designing surveys without any coding or technical expertise. It offers a variety of customizable templates and question types, including multiple-choice, short-answer, checkboxes, and more.
- Targeted Audience Engagement
Zoho Survey allows users to target specific audience segments for their surveys. It enables collecting valuable insights, such as measuring Net Promoter Score (NPS), understanding user preferences, and identifying product gaps.
- Comprehensive Survey Management
Zoho Survey offers features for launching surveys, collecting data, and analyzing insights in real time. It provides the ability to track survey performance and access detailed reports to inform decision-making and product iteration.
- Robust Reporting and Analytics
Zoho Survey offers robust reporting and analytics capabilities, including custom reports, response downloads, and options to share insights. It also integrates with other tools like Zoho Sheet, enabling seamless data incorporation and visualization.
- Customization and Flexibility
Zoho Survey offers customization options, such as adding a custom page, generating a printable PDF version, and controlling data input through validation. The platform also allows for advanced programming and custom question types for complex research projects.
- Affordable and Scalable Plans
Zoho Survey offers affordable pricing options, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. It provides a range of plans, including a free version with unlimited surveys and a paid version with additional features like unlimited responses, Zoho Sheet integration, and custom reports.
Conclusion
So, now you know what online surveys can offer to your business and which online survey software you should choose among the top options in the market. It offers various types, including customer satisfaction surveys, employee feedback surveys, and market research surveys. The benefits of online surveys include cost-efficiency, quick data collection, and the ability to reach a broad audience.
Top online survey software options, such as Nudge, SurveyMonkey, and Google Forms, provide user-friendly interfaces, customization options, and advanced analytics. These tools help businesses gain valuable insights, improve decision-making, and enhance overall performance by understanding their audience's needs and preferences effectively.
Book a demo with us today to get extensive unique features for conducting online surveys and get all the benefits for your business.