How to Make an Online Poll or Survey to Share With Your Friends

Key Takeaways:

• Online polls and surveys are easy ways to gather opinions, feedback, and insights from your friends and social circles.
• There are many free and user-friendly online poll makers and survey tools available that allow you to create, distribute, and analyze polls/surveys effortlessly.
• Sharing polls/surveys through social media, email, messaging apps, or embedding them on websites/blogs can help increase participation and response rates.

As an experienced writer and researcher with expertise in creating online content, I understand the importance of gathering feedback and insights from your target audience. Online polls and surveys are powerful tools that allow you to do just that in a convenient and efficient manner. In this comprehensive article, I will guide you through the process of creating and sharing online polls and surveys with your friends.

What are Online Polls and Surveys?

Online polls and surveys are digital tools used to collect opinions, preferences, feedback, and data from a targeted group of people. They typically consist of a series of questions or statements that respondents can answer or rate based on their perspectives or experiences.

Polls are generally shorter and more focused, often consisting of a single question or a few multiple-choice questions. They are ideal for quickly gauging opinions or gathering instant feedback on specific topics or issues.

Surveys, on the other hand, are more comprehensive and can include a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice, rating scales, open-ended questions, and more. They are commonly used for in-depth market research, customer satisfaction studies, employee engagement surveys, and academic or scientific research.

Benefits of Using Online Polls and Surveys

There are several advantages to using online polls and surveys over traditional paper-based or in-person methods:

• Convenience: Respondents can complete online polls and surveys at their convenience, from any device with an internet connection.
• Reach: Online polls and surveys can be easily shared and distributed to a wide audience, regardless of geographic location.
• Cost-effective: Most online poll and survey tools offer free or low-cost plans, eliminating the need for expensive printing, mailing, or data entry costs.
• Real-time data: Responses are collected and compiled in real-time, allowing for immediate analysis and decision-making.
• Customization: Many online tools offer customization options, such as branding, question logic, and multimedia integration, to create engaging and visually appealing polls and surveys.

Choosing an Online Poll or Survey Tool

There are numerous online poll and survey tools available, both free and paid. Here are some popular options to consider:

Free Tools:

• Google Forms: Part of the Google Workspace suite, Google Forms is a simple and user-friendly tool for creating polls and surveys. It offers basic features and integrates seamlessly with other Google apps.
• SurveyMonkey: One of the most well-known survey platforms, SurveyMonkey offers a free basic plan with limited features, as well as paid plans with advanced capabilities.
• Typeform: Known for its visually appealing and conversational survey design, Typeform offers a free plan with limited features and paid plans for more advanced options.
• SurveyLegend: This tool allows you to create mobile-friendly surveys with customizable designs and offers a free plan with limited responses.

Paid Tools:

• Qualtrics: A powerful and feature-rich survey platform used by many enterprises and academic institutions, Qualtrics offers advanced analytics and reporting capabilities.
• SurveyGizmo: With a focus on customization and advanced logic, SurveyGizmo is a robust survey tool suitable for complex research projects.
• Alchemer (formerly SurveyGizmo): Offering a wide range of survey types and advanced features, Alchemer is a comprehensive survey solution for businesses and organizations.

When choosing an online poll or survey tool, consider factors such as ease of use, available features, customization options, pricing plans, and integration capabilities with other tools or platforms you may be using.

Creating an Effective Online Poll or Survey

Once you’ve selected a tool, follow these steps to create an effective online poll or survey:

1. Define your objectives: Clearly identify the purpose and goals of your poll or survey. This will help you determine the appropriate questions to ask and the target audience.
2. Write clear and concise questions: Craft questions that are easy to understand and avoid ambiguity or leading language. Use simple and straightforward language.
3. Choose the right question types: Utilize a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice, rating scales, open-ended questions, and matrix questions, to gather the desired information.
4. Consider question logic and branching: Implement question logic and branching to create a more personalized and relevant experience for respondents based on their previous answers.
5. Keep it concise: Aim for a reasonable length to avoid respondent fatigue and increase completion rates. Longer surveys may be necessary for in-depth research, but consider breaking them into multiple sections or pages.
6. Test and refine: Before distributing your poll or survey, test it with a small group to identify any issues or areas for improvement.
7. Customize the design: Utilize the customization options provided by your chosen tool to create a visually appealing and branded poll or survey that aligns with your organization’s or project’s identity.

Distributing and Sharing Online Polls and Surveys

Once your poll or survey is ready, it’s time to distribute and share it with your target audience. Here are some effective methods:

• Social media: Share the poll or survey link on your social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram. Encourage your friends and followers to participate and share it further.
• Email: Send the poll or survey link via email to your contacts or mailing lists. Personalize the email and explain the purpose and importance of their participation.
• Messaging apps: Share the link through messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Slack, especially if you’re targeting specific groups or communities.
• Embed on websites or blogs: If you have a website or blog, embed the poll or survey directly on your pages to capture responses from visitors.
• QR codes: Generate a QR code for your poll or survey and share it offline, such as at events, conferences, or physical locations, for easy access.

Remember to provide clear instructions, explain the purpose of the poll or survey, and emphasize the importance of honest and thoughtful responses. Additionally, consider offering incentives or rewards (e.g., discounts, prizes) to encourage higher participation rates.

Analyzing and Reporting Results

Most online poll and survey tools provide built-in analytics and reporting features to help you analyze and interpret the collected data. These features may include:

• Real-time response tracking: Monitor responses as they come in and view live updates to the data.
• Data visualization: Generate charts, graphs, and other visual representations of the data for easier interpretation and presentation.
• Filtering and segmentation: Filter and segment responses based on specific criteria, such as demographics or previous answers, to gain deeper insights.
• Export options: Export the raw data or reports in various formats (e.g., CSV, Excel, PDF) for further analysis or sharing with stakeholders.

Regularly review and analyze the poll or survey results to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights. Use these insights to inform decision-making, improve products or services, or address any issues or concerns raised by respondents.

By following these steps and leveraging the power of online polls and surveys, you can effectively gather valuable feedback and insights from your friends and social circles, ultimately leading to better-informed decisions and improved experiences for all involved.

Remember, as an experienced writer and researcher, I’m here to assist you with creating compelling and informative content tailored to your specific needs. Feel free to reach out if you require any further assistance or have additional questions.