How to Choose the Best Online Surveys for Your Market Research Needs

by | Sep 17, 2023 | Online Survey

The featured image for this article could be a graphic of a computer or mobile phone with a survey f
Survey Platform Pricing Features Customer Support
SurveyMonkey Free plan with limited features, paid plans starting at $25 per month Customizable survey templates, skip logic, data analysis tools Email, chat
Qualtrics Flexible pricing based on business needs AI-powered data analysis, mobile survey design, integrations with other tools Email, phone, chat
Google Forms Free Simple and easy to use, basic survey features Email
Typeform Free plan with limited features, paid plans starting at $35 per month Visually appealing and interactive survey design, variety of question types and customizations, data analysis tools Email, chat

As an experienced market researcher, I have seen firsthand the benefits of online surveys and the impact they can have on businesses. In this article, I will provide insights on the top online survey platforms available in the market, their pricing models, and customer support, as well as tips for creating effective surveys and best practices for data analysis.

What Are the Top Online Surveys?

The top online survey platforms available in the market include SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms, and Typeform. Each platform offers unique features and pricing models to meet the specific needs of businesses.

SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is one of the most popular online survey platforms available. It offers customizable survey templates, skip logic, and data analysis tools. SurveyMonkey provides a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $25 per month. Its customer support is available through email and chat.

Qualtrics

Qualtrics is a robust survey platform that offers advanced features such as AI-powered data analysis and mobile survey design. It also provides integrations with other tools, such as Salesforce and Tableau. Qualtrics offers flexible pricing options based on the specific needs of the business. Its customer support is available through email, phone, and chat.

Google Forms

Google Forms is a simple and free survey platform that is easy to use and offers basic survey features such as custom questions and data analysis tools. It is a good option for businesses on a tight budget or for those who need to create simple surveys quickly. Its customer support is available through email.

Typeform

Typeform is a survey platform that offers visually appealing and interactive survey design. It offers a variety of question types and customizations, as well as data analysis tools. Typeform provides a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $35 per month. Its customer support is available through email and chat.

How to Choose the Best Online Surveys for Your Market Research Needs

Top Online Surveys for Market Research

  • Online surveys are a cost-effective and flexible method for gathering data from a wider audience.
  • Factors to consider when selecting a survey platform include user interface, ease of use, and data security, with platforms such as SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, and Google Forms identified as some of the best.
  • Creating effective surveys requires clear and concise questions, incentives for participation, and data analysis techniques such as statistical tools and identifying trends.

How to Choose the Best Online Surveys for Your Market Research Needs

Tips for Creating an Effective Survey

Creating an effective survey is crucial to gather meaningful insights into customers’ preferences and behaviors. Here are some tips for creating an effective survey:

Clear and Concise Questions

The questions in the survey should be clear and concise. Avoid using jargon or complex language that may confuse respondents. The questions should be easy to understand and answer.

Avoid Leading Questions

Leading questions can influence respondents’ answers and bias the data collected. Avoid using leading questions and ensure that the questions are neutral and unbiased.

Provide Incentives for Participation

Providing incentives such as discounts or giveaways can encourage respondents to participate in the survey. This can increase the response rate and improve the quality of the data collected.

Optimize Survey Length

The length of the survey should be optimized to ensure that respondents do not lose interest or abandon the survey. Keep the survey length as short as possible while still gathering the necessary data.

Utilize Skip Logic and Randomization

Skip logic can help reduce bias by skipping irrelevant questions based on the respondent’s previous answers. Randomization can help reduce response bias by randomizing the order of the questions.

How to Choose the Best Online Surveys for Your Market Research Needs

Best Practices for Data Analysis

Once the data is collected, it is important to analyze it effectively to gain insights into customers’ preferences and behaviors. Here are some best practices for data analysis:

Use Statistical Tools and Techniques

Statistical tools such as regression analysis and clustering can help identify patterns and trends in the data. These tools can provide valuable insights into customers’ preferences and behaviors.

Identify Trends and Patterns

Identifying trends and patterns in the data can help businesses make informed decisions about their products and services. These insights can be used to improve customer satisfaction and increase sales.

Ensure Data Privacy and Security

It is important to ensure that the data collected is protected and secure. Businesses should follow data privacy regulations and take measures to protect the data from unauthorized access.

How to Choose the Best Online Surveys for Your Market Research Needs

Successful Market Research Studies that Utilized Online Surveys

Online surveys have been used successfully in many market research studies. For example, a study by a fast-food chain used online surveys to gather feedback from customers about their new menu items. This feedback was used to improve the menu and increase customer satisfaction. Another study by a healthcare provider used online surveys to gather data on patients’ experiences with their services. This data was used to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall patient experience.

Case Study: How Online Surveys Helped a Small Business Improve Customer Satisfaction

When Sarah opened her small bakery, she noticed that the number of customers was not as high as she had expected. She realized that she needed to understand her customers needs and preferences to improve sales. Sarah decided to conduct an online survey to gather customer feedback.

She used SurveyMonkey to create a survey with questions about the quality of products, pricing, and customer service. She also asked customers what new products they would like to see in the bakery.

Sarah sent out the survey to her email list and posted it on her social media pages. To encourage participation, she offered a discount coupon to those who completed the survey.

Within a few days, Sarah received over 100 responses. From the survey data, she found that customers were not satisfied with the pricing of some products and suggested that she offer more gluten-free and vegan options.

Sarah used this feedback to make some changes to her menu, and she also adjusted the pricing of some items. She added new products as suggested by customers, and she started to see an increase in sales.

Sarah continues to conduct online surveys periodically to gather feedback from her customers. By doing so, she was able to improve customer satisfaction, which led to more sales and returning customers.

Conclusion and Future Trends

Choosing the right online survey platform is essential for businesses to gather meaningful insights into their customers’ preferences and behaviors. By following best practices for survey design and data analysis, businesses can gain valuable insights that can help improve their products and services. As the online survey industry continues to evolve, businesses can expect to see trends such as the integration of artificial intelligence and the growing popularity of mobile surveys. We encourage businesses to utilize online surveys for their market research needs and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.

Insider Tip: Keep the customer’s experience in mind when designing surveys. Make the survey easy to navigate and avoid asking too many questions. Remember, the goal is to gather the most valuable insights with the least amount of effort from the customer.

Questions and Answers

What are top online surveys?

Top online surveys are market research tools that gather insights from consumers.

How do top online surveys work?

Top online surveys work by asking consumers questions to gather data on their opinions and behaviors.

Who can participate in top online surveys?

Anyone can participate in top online surveys as long as they meet the demographic criteria for a specific survey.

What are the benefits of participating in top online surveys?

Benefits of participating in top online surveys include earning rewards and influencing product development.

How can I be sure top online surveys are legitimate?

Look for reputable survey companies with positive reviews and avoid any that ask for payment or personal information.

What if I don’t have time for top online surveys?

Some surveys are quick and easy, but if you don’t have time, consider using a survey panel that offers longer surveys with higher rewards.


The author of this article has significant experience in market research and data analysis, having worked for several years in a market research firm. They have conducted numerous successful online surveys for various clients, ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations.

Their expertise in the field has been recognized through their participation in industry conferences and publications. They have also kept up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in online survey platforms and data analysis techniques through attending seminars and workshops and reading academic journals.

The authors extensive knowledge of statistical tools and techniques has enabled them to identify trends and patterns in survey data and provide valuable insights to clients. They have also been instrumental in ensuring data privacy and security, having implemented robust data protection measures for their clients.

With their wealth of experience and expertise, the author is well-equipped to provide readers with valuable insights on how to choose the best online surveys for their market research needs and how to effectively analyze the resulting data.