Customer Survey Software

What used to take months of brainstorming, designing a survey questionnaire, dispatching forms, and tabulating results can now be done in just days thanks to the ingenious use of the internet, email and a suitable survey software tool.

One of the great things about survey software is that it is flexible. Flexibility is important because there are no such things as generic market surveys. Survey software needs to offer you the option of conducting a survey via a website, by email, on paper or by telephone.

Once a survey has been launched, you will want results fast so that you can begin improving your design, products and service and increase your profits. After all, a service or product on the shelf for too long means stagnant money! So you must ensure that you have the right customer satisfaction survey software, that it suits your budget, and that it meets your needs.

What should you look for in survey software?

The software should allow you to use different types of survey:

• Create an online survey using several pages of a website that the customer moves through, or with a link to a survey, or by using a pop-up.
• Allow you to carry out an email survey and help you to manage your email distribution, including importing a email list.
• Conduct a survey using paper or by telephone or PDA if appropriate

You might also need the option to conduct a survey in a language other than English. Comprehensive report generation capabilities are a must-have.

Look for survey software that offers an easy-to-use interface so that training time is short and almost anybody can use it with minimum guidance. Take time to study the software company's online help such as training videos, down-loadable instruction manuals and any sample surveys. These will yield a wealth of information and help guide your decision as to which survey software to buy or subscribe to.

Survey software is usually down-loadable for a free trial (30 days). However, check the functions that you can use. Most of the time, free trial versions offer only a fraction of their full potential.

When it comes to pricing, most providers indicate their prices on their sites. For companies, rates are usually on a per license basis. For individuals or small businesses that have one-time needs the software company will sometimes provide a free survey software option - not as comprehensive as the full version but helpful nevertheless. Many online survey software solutions can be used for a monthly subscription (some for as low as £15 a month).