How to create a survey in 7 steps with SurveyMonkey
Power your business strategy with user insights. Learn how to create, launch and analyse the results of a SurveyMonkey survey in minutes.
- Online surveys are a convenient tool for gathering opinions, feedback or data from a wide audience quickly and efficiently via the internet.
- Surveys are a cost-effective, fast and accessible means of collecting diverse data from large audiences with ease.
- Users can create an online survey with SurveyMonkey by signing up, choosing a template or starting from scratch, customising their questions and then distributing the survey via email, social media or a direct link.
Creating effective surveys is essential for gathering valuable insights. Online surveys are quick and efficient, making them ideal for collecting data and driving informed decisions. This guide will walk you through how to create a survey, from identifying your goals to analysing the results.
You’ll learn how to design, distribute and analyse surveys using best practices and expert tips. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to create effective online surveys.
What are online surveys?
Online surveys gather information from a targeted group via the internet. These digital surveys are efficient and quick ways to gain insights and drive business decisions.
Online surveys are efficient, cost-effective and flexible. They also provide immediate results and broad reach. This makes them ideal for modern data collection, whether for customer feedback, market research or employee engagement.
How to make an online survey in 7 steps
Creating an online survey with a clear plan is easy. Follow this simple seven-step framework that we at SurveyMonkey have developed over 25 years.
Step 1: Identify the survey goals and objective
Start by defining clear, specific goals for your survey. Clear goals help focus your questions and ensure that you gather relevant data. For example, are you aiming to improve customer service, measure employee satisfaction or understand market trends?
Specific goals, such as "identify top three employee concerns", provide direction. These goals guide your question design, helping you collect actionable insights. Knowing your objectives keeps your survey concise and targeted, making it more effective.
Step 2: Pinpoint your target audience
Know who you’re surveying in order to tailor your questions. Understanding your target audience helps you use language and questions that resonate with them. Avoid jargon and use clear, simple language.
Consider demographic factors such as age, location and interests. If you’re surveying employees, use expressions that are familiar within your organisation. If your audience is general consumers, keep the language straightforward and accessible.
Step 3: Determine the type of online survey
Choose the appropriate survey based on your goals. Different surveys serve different purposes; here are three standard online survey types:
Customer satisfaction surveys
Customer satisfaction surveys gauge customers’ feelings about your products, services and business practices. They provide insights into customer experiences, helping you understand what works and where to make improvements. These surveys are essential for keeping customers happy, loyal and engaged with your brand.
Use customer satisfaction surveys to:
- Measure customer service effectiveness: Assess how well your team meets customer needs.
- Evaluate brand satisfaction: Understand overall customer happiness with your brand.
- Identify popular products or services: Find out what resonates most with your customers.
- Pinpoint areas for improvement: Discover specific aspects of your offerings that need enhancement.
- Gauge customer loyalty: Determine how likely customers are to stay with your brand.
Employee engagement surveys
Employee engagement surveys reveal how employees feel about workplace experiences. They help you understand the impact of your current systems and highlight areas requiring improvement. Engaged employees are happier, more productive and more likely to stay with your company.
Use employee engagement surveys to: