Ten Ways To Increase Response Rates With An Online Survey
Have you ever been asked to complete an online survey? Lots of Internet users have been. When browsing the Internet, you may find yourself looking at the page asking you to invest a few minutes of your free time in answering questions. Online surveys are designed to optimise website content, functionality and customer service. However, no one can predict what response rate you should expect as many people prefer to skip surveys. Here are 10 ways to increase response rates of the best online surveys.
1. Think of an engaging topic
The best online survey should have a catchy topic to make Internet users want to proceed with questions. The topic should give customers a hint about the online survey content. Use attention grabbers to engage potential respondents.
2. Give clear instructions
Inform people about the answering session. Some online surveys are arranged in blocks of questions; some consist of a series of questions. Tell respondents how many questions await them. Define a time frame needed to complete your survey. Instruct respondents what they should do if they can't give an answer.
3. Avoid dubious questions
The best online surveys consist of questions which are very easy to grasp. Remember that your purpose is to get information so make sure that questions accommodate various answers. The best online survey should provide respondents with a multiple choice and have room for their own answers. If your online survey offers respondents a list of possible answers, make sure they are mutually exclusive. Questions in online surveys shouldn't be vague - respondents should have clear understanding what they are being asked about.
4. Emphasise how important each respondent's opinion is for you
Inform respondents about the research purpose. Tell them how survey results can help you improve your business strategy. The best online surveys are never time wasters. Respondents should realise that their opinion may result in solving problems on a large scale.
5. Make participation anonymous
The best online survey gives respondents choice to answer questions anonymously. Some people hesitate to give a truthful answer in online surveys when they are asked to provide their full name and contact details. However, you need to take measures to ensure that each respondent can answer your online survey only once - it guarantees fair results.
6. Address your survey to the target audience
If you want to increase your survey response rates, identify your target respondents. The best online surveys have clearly mapped customer 'touch points' - websites, forums and portals where the target respondents are exposed to services or products. This is where the best online survey should be delivered. Don't try to address it to a wide range of Internet users; be specific about who you want to participate in your online surveys as it increases chances that it involves the necessary people.
7. Offer motivation
Sometimes it's necessary to incentivise people to participate in your online survey. Incentives can come as coupons, bonuses, free samples or tickets - whatever activity your company is engaged in. Yet, incentives shouldn't cost you the earth. The best online surveys are not necessarily tangible. There are people who may appreciate the fact that their opinion matters for you. Tell them how you are going to apply the survey results.
8. Get good placement
The best online survey is never placed on a website which is hidden away deep in the search engine results. To increase response rates of online surveys, you need to increase their viewings first. Remember that according to the statistics, Internet users stick to the first two pages of search results. Place your online survey on a website which enjoys top positions in search matches; such sites have more visitors which increases chances that surveys will be completed.
9. Make your survey look appealing
The best online surveys are aesthetically pleasing. Distorted text, blurred pictures and unreadable fonts may be a turn-off even for the most curious respondents. The best online survey doesn't need much graphics but a few images or a bit of multimedia may encourage people to complete online surveys. Yet, make sure your survey is not clattered with them as some Internet users might find it annoying.
10. Communicate survey results
Since people have taken time out of their day to respond to your online survey, they might be interested in its results. You can publish results online or send them by email if respondents don't mind indicating it. There is no real recipe for the best online survey; these are just tips which might help increase response rates of the best online surveys.
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