How to get more survey responses: 10 ways that work

Few responses almost always come down to one of three things: people did not see the invitation, did not see why they should answer, or got tired halfway through. You can reduce each of these losses. Here are ten ways, starting with the most effective.

The invitation

1. Say how long it takes

Three questions, one minute works better than Take our survey. People say yes when they know the cost. Just be honest: if you promise a minute and there are twenty questions, nobody will reach the end.

2. Explain what will change

We are deciding which dishes to keep on the menu sounds more honest and more interesting than Your opinion matters to us. People are more willing to answer when they can see their answer will make a difference.

3. Ask at the right moment

The best moment is right after the experience: after a purchase, a delivery, a support call or an event. A week later the impression has faded. On a website, a sticky button or sticky panel on the right pages works well.

4. Go where your people are

A link in a messenger, an email, a post, a QR code at the checkout or on a table. One channel rarely reaches everyone, so use two or three.

The survey itself

5. Cut everything you can

Every question you could do without costs you some of your responses. Go through the survey and ask about each question: what will I do with the answer? More in How to write a questionnaire.

6. Start with something easy

The first question should be quick and interesting: pick an option or give a rating. Save open and personal questions for the end, once people are engaged.

7. Check it on a phone

Most people answer on their phones. Open the survey in preview on a smartphone: are the options too long, is everything easy to tap? Large matrices are awkward on a small screen, and sometimes it is better to split them into several questions.

8. Show progress

Turn on the progress bar in Settings: people can see how much is left and are less likely to give up. For long surveys, also allow progress saving so people can come back later: see Survey settings.

After you send it

9. Send one reminder

One polite reminder two or three days later to people who have not answered often brings in another third of the responses. More than one reminder starts to annoy.

10. Say thank you, and reward if you can

Write a sincere thank-you in the final text and say what happens next. If you promised a bonus, you can open a page with a promo code or discount after the survey. Keep rewards modest, or people will rush through the survey for the gift without reading the questions.

How to see where people drop off

The results have a Visits section: how many people opened the survey and how many finished it. If many open it but few finish, the problem is the survey itself (length, hard questions). If few open it, the problem is the invitation or the channel. More in How to view results.