Web Based Software

Are you planning on gathering information by conducting a survey? Then, you probably need to find a quality, dependable, and easy-to-use survey software tool. There are many such software programs to choose from and luckily you have the internet to help you find a program to match your needs. Survey software is designed to help you plan and execute a survey, and collect and analyse the results.

Survey software can be used to obtain feedback from your employees or from visitors to your website, and from your customers, who can give their opinions on your business and your products.

Getting client feedback and finding out information about customer preferences can make the difference between the success and failure of your business. With the internet so widely available, web surveys are an easy way to gather information from your customers or potential clients. The first step in using web-based surveys is to select software to create surveys and analyze the data. There are a dizzying number of options available, and it can be difficult to know which survey software to choose.

If you’ve found yourself with the daunting task of researching survey software, we feel your pain and we’re here to help. Web-based-soft.com has developed a simple, logical and objective 3-step guide that will help you and your organization make the right survey software choice.

Step 1: Compile a Comprehensive List
 
Create a list made up of all potential candidates. Take to the streets (literally and figuratively) and scour search engines, ask friends and colleagues, and use online business directories that list survey software providers. When using search engines, be sure to specify the most relevant keyword phrases that appeal to you and your organization; this will help narrow down your search. For instance, you might use long-tail keyword phrases like ‘Microsoft-based survey software’ in order to find a survey tool based on a Microsoft platform or ‘customer satisfaction survey software’ to find one specific to customer feedback. Include every option you come across, even if you know you will quickly eliminate many of them. Including obvious  ‘no-good’s’ will often help you hone in on the attributes that are must-haves, as well as the ones that aren’t as critical.

Step 2: Compare Basic Attributes – It’s Spreadsheet Time
 
Now it’s time to create a spreadsheet that will become your ratings guide for product comparison. Use your spreadsheet rows to lay out the product attributes and features that are important to you. For example: Price Range, Support Options, Delivery Options, Architecture, Security, Question Types and Advanced Features (i.e. Ratings Scales, Matrix Questions, Skip Logic, Piping, Etc.), Branding Options, Invitations Options, Number of Users, User Management Options, Multilanguage, Reports, and Integration. To make scanning your grid easier, group together and highlight the attributes that are most critical to your project and your decision.

Survey software company websites should provide most of the information necessary to populate your grid, but you may need to make a few phone calls or send a few emails to sales departments to fill in the blanks. While not always the case, keep in mind that a transparent and well organized website with a wide variety of information and resources related to the product often speaks volumes in terms of a company’s commitment to customer service and support.

You may also want to fill in your grid with information you gain first-hand through a software trial or free account. Most survey software products offer a limited time free trial or free basic account to let you kick the tires and experience what the product looks like, feels like, and delivers. If available, a free trial is also a good time to evaluate the company’s support options, documentation, and training options. If customer support isn’t available with your free account, give the sales department a call with a sample support question – their willingness to help a potential client with a free account is often a good indication of the service you will receive in the future.

Step 3: Narrow it Down & Analyze Top Candidates in Depth
 
After compiling your spreadsheet, testing some of the software, speaking with the companies, and checking out what kind of resources they have available, you probably have a pretty good idea of your top three to five contenders. Before you make your final decision, it’s time to dig a little deeper.

Compare your most critical attributes side by side among the survey tools on your short list and make sure you fully understand the differences between each one. For instance, when evaluating software based on cost, take a hard look at how your needs line up with their offerings and be aware of any incremental costs you may incur. Many ‘value-positioned’ software tools are a great deal for occasional users or survey projects with low response needs, but the incremental costs of adding additional surveys, responses, or users can often surpass the cost of purchasing a higher priced tool with higher or no limits.

Your final choice should do the best job balancing price, having the most features on your critical list, being scalable if your needs change, and having adequate resources to get you going including self-service training resources and a friendly, helpful sales and support staff. Online surveys are critical to so many areas of a successful business including customer retention, employee satisfaction, and more; spending enough time doing your due diligence to make sure you have exactly the right survey product for your needs will come back to you many-fold in the value a good survey tool will bring you.

For more details about online surveys and survey software tools, visit web-based-soft.com.