Most web-based survey tools provide free and paid plans. They offer multiple question types (such as multiple choice and rating scales), options for customizing the survey design and color schemes, real-time analytics reporting, and the ability to export survey results into a spreadsheet or PDF.
Here are five of my favorite survey tools:
SurveyMonkey.com (free and paid plans) - a robust platform that allows you to create everything from a simple survey that asks one burning question to an online quiz or test to an in-depth market analysis.
Polldaddy.com (free and paid plans) - Comparable to SurveyMonkey in features and pricing.
Vizu.com - Free polls intended for embedding into any Web page, such as your blog or Facebook. You can even load images into your polls. Vizu members can browse others' polls, e-mail any Vizu polls to friends, and share them on a Web page.
WP-Polls - If you use WordPress.org (self-hosted website/blog platform), install the WP-Polls plugin. Even if you're a technophobe, you can create a simple poll in about a minute and pop it on your blog (or any page on your site). If you're into coding, you can and create a completely customized style for your polls.
How to promote your survey
E-mail - If you have an e-newsletter, you can embed a survey in it, or you can send an e-blast to your mailing list that includes a link to the poll.
Blog - Embed your poll in a blog post, or add a widget or link in your blog's sidebar. Make sure the survey widget is visible to everyone who drops by your site.
Social Networks - Compose an enticing "teaser" to hook your Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn followers into taking your poll. Your teaser should state the survey question, invite your peeps to take the survey, and link to the survey. You can also ask your Twitter followers to re-tweet the link.
Discussion Groups - If you participate in an online forum, you may be able to survey the group members (check with the group's moderator first to ensure that you're abiding by the group's guidelines).
Offer incentives - If you're using a survey to collect valuable statistical information to help you grow your business, consider offering a gift or discount to people who complete your survey.
Common incentives include gift cards, product samples, entry into a sweepstakes, the chance to win back the value of your online order, discount coupons or coupon codes, and free consulting/services.
How to use your survey results
People who take the time to complete your survey want to see results. Publish your survey results online - via the original channel through which you polled people, and via your blog or e-newsletter.
Use the survey results to help you grow your business. If my poll, "How many followers does your Facebook business Page have," shows that most respondents don't have a Facebook Page, I would create a workshop, webinar, video tutorial, or e-book on how to create and grow your Facebook Page.
As you consistently help your audience solve problems and answer questions, you'll position yourself as the expert - as the trusted authority in your niche.
Facebook Poll
How many followers does your Facebook Business Page have?
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