Online surveying offers many advantages: surveys can be created quickly, easily, and mostly for free. Read our tips for creating an online survey.

Online surveying has many advantages. Surveys can be created quickly, easily, and mostly for free. You can track initial results almost immediately after inviting respondents or sharing the survey on your website or social media. However, you shouldn't approach research carelessly if you want to gain useful information. We've prepared some tips for creating an effective online survey.

1. A Short Survey is Better Than a Long One

Most people are willing to spend a few minutes (up to 10 minutes) on a survey. If the survey is engaging and user-friendly, they'll take more time. However, a survey with 20 or more questions is generally too long. It's best to stick to the rule of including 3 to 5 questions in your survey, although the final number will depend on your research goals.

2. Questions Must Be Understandable and Easy to Answer

Short questions in a language the respondent understands are best. If you offer multiple-choice answers, they should be short, understandable, and neutral. This means you shouldn't lead the respondent towards the answer you want to receive. If possible answers include a scale, for example, for satisfaction, be sure to evenly cover the entire possible spectrum of satisfaction.

3. Group Questions Related to the Same Topic

Start with general questions, then move to more specific ones. Group the specific questions by topic or set of possible answers. If respondents have to rate several characteristics on the same scale, they will be able to complete it faster and are more likely to finish the survey.

4. Sensitive Questions Should Be at the End

There are two reasons to place more sensitive questions, which a respondent might be reluctant to answer, at the end of the survey. The first is that you've already established some rapport with the respondent through the other questions, and they are now more willing to answer such a question. The second is that even if they don't want to answer and abandon the survey, you've still received some useful answers on other topics.

5. Irrelevant Questions Have No Place in a Survey

Also, because the survey must be as short as possible, exclude all questions that may not be relevant to your research goal. A respondent will be confused if you inundate them with questions they feel don't belong in the survey. This also means they won't give you honest and credible answers to the other questions.

6. Respondents Need Assurance That Their Data Is Secure

Ensure respondents are informed about the purpose of your research. Assure them that their personal data and other sensitive information are securely stored and will not be shared with third parties. If your survey is anonymous, assure them that you do not store any data that could link their answers to them. Include a data security statement in your survey and gain respondents' trust so they will provide honest answers.

7. Survey Design Also Affects Response Rate and Quality

Appealing and user-friendly surveys have a better response rate. If a respondent feels the survey is well-designed and easy to answer, they are more likely to complete it. Break the monotony with an image or even a video, as respondents will pay more attention to their answers and will remember visual stimuli for longer.

8. Only a Tested Survey Should Be Opened for Responses

Before you open the survey for responses, test it. First, test it yourself, and then ask a friend or colleague to test it for you. Make sure it works flawlessly, that the questions are understandable, and that it will answer the question you set as your research goal.   You can use the tips above today when creating your survey. Take advantage of online surveying and quickly find out what your market or community thinks about a particular topic. Obtain results that will make your business decision-making easier.