Entrepreneurship

How do I get people to take my survey?

Consider these tips to avoid common pitfalls and design a survey that increases the response rate:
 

1. Limit the number of questions.

• Ask only what is absolutely necessary – the shorter, the better!
   

2. Ensure that the survey can be completed in under 10 minutes (less is better!).

• Inform participants upfront about the time involved and, if using an online survey, include a progress bar.
   

3. Consider the ratio of closed- to open-ended questions.

• Closed-ended questions are quicker to answer and participants are more likely to skip open-ended questions if there are too many.
   

4. Consider mode of delivery.

• Online surveys are easier to complete than paper-based surveys and more efficient for the researcher (most online survey tools offer report generation and analysis features).
   

5. Don't ask for personal information.

• If necessary, allow participants to "opt-in" for a follow-up by providing the opportunity to share their contact information.
   

For more information, see:

• Questionnaire Design: How to Plan, Structure and Write Survey Material for Effective Market Research.
• Best Practices for Survey Question Design