The efficiency of a brand relies on its consumers. When customers actively share feedback, there are points to work on. This can be the customer service team, or on the products or services. Currently, there are traditional methods of feedback still making the rounds. So how can we increase our survey response in the modern day using traditional methods? Let us discuss in this blog below.
What is a Survey Response Rate?
A survey response rate is the percentage of people who completed a survey out of the total number of people who were invited or attempted to participate. It’s a measure of the effectiveness of survey recruitment and the willingness of respondents to engage with the survey. High response rates are generally desirable as they often indicate better data quality and representativeness of the population being surveyed.
Why do we need a high survey response rate?
A high survey response rate can indicate a successful feedback campaign. However, here are the main reasons a CX professional must aim to gather a reasonable number of feedback responses.
Representativeness: We want the survey results to accurately reflect the opinions and characteristics of the entire population we’re studying. A high response rate helps ensure that the sample is more representative.
Data Quality: When more people respond, we gather more diverse perspectives and insights. This leads to richer, more robust data that can support better decision-making.
Reliability: Higher response rates often correlate with more reliable findings. It reduces the risk of bias that can occur when only certain types of people respond, skewing the results.
Statistical Significance: Achieving a high response rate increases the statistical power of our findings. This means we can have more confidence in the conclusions drawn from the survey data.
Enhanced Credibility: Stakeholders and decision-makers are more likely to trust survey results with a high response rate. It demonstrates that the findings are based on a solid foundation of participant input.
Comparison and Benchmarking: When response rates are high, it becomes easier to compare results across different groups or over time. This longitudinal or cross-sectional analysis can provide valuable insights into trends and changes.
Cost-effectiveness: In practical terms, higher response rates can lead to cost savings. It reduces the need to follow up with additional surveys or to adjust for potential biases introduced by low response rates.
Factors That Influence Survey Response Rates
Factors such as survey design and timing play a significant role in impacting response rates. The way a survey is structured, including the layout, question order, and formatting, can influence how easily respondents navigate through it. Additionally, the timing of when a survey is sent out can affect the likelihood of people taking the time to complete it.
Survey length and complexity:
People are more likely to participate if a survey is concise and easy to understand. Lengthy or complex surveys can intimidate respondents, leading to lower engagement. Keep questions clear and relevant to maximize participation.
Survey design and layout:
The visual appeal and organization of a survey can impact response rates. A cluttered layout or confusing design may deter participants. Use a clean, intuitive design with logical flow to encourage completion.
Survey invitation and clarity:
How you invite participants and the clarity of your instructions matter. Clearly explain why their input is valuable and how long the survey will take. Use language that’s inviting and respectful to encourage participation.
Timing and frequency of reminders:
Timing matters! Consider when your audience is most likely to respond—avoiding holidays or busy periods. Gentle reminders can also boost responses, but be mindful not to overwhelm recipients.
Survey rewards And Motivation:
Offering incentives, like gift cards or discounts, can significantly increase response rates. These incentives show appreciation for participants’ time and effort, motivating more people to complete the survey.
Survey channel and accessibility:
The method of survey distribution (email, messenger applications, phone call, chatbots) should suit your audience’s preferences and accessibility. Ensure the survey platform is user-friendly and compatible on different devices.
Trust and Confidentiality:
Assure participants that their responses are confidential and will be used responsibly. Trust is crucial. People are more likely to participate if they believe their input will be respected and protected.
Feedback Personalization:
Tailor the survey to the interests and concerns of your audience. Personalize invitations where possible and demonstrate how their responses will directly impact decisions or outcomes.
Demographic Characteristics:
Factors such as age, education level, and cultural background can affect response rates. Consider these demographics when designing your survey. Opt for questionnaire translations and keep it relevant and comprehensible for your respondents.
Strategies to Increase Your Survey Response Rate
Consider these strategies to bring more responses to your feedback questionnaire.
1. Omnichannel survey formats:
Traditional methods of bringing response rate are not always effective. People are on the go. Current problems require modern day solutions. Curate customer satisfaction metrics via WhatsApp, Facebook messenger and chat bot surveys. These are faster mediums and accessible to millions of users. They can respond on the go and you can obtain a high response rate.
2. Multilingual solutions:
It is a misconception that surveys need to be in English. Even though English is a common language, people across different regions do not use it as their primary language. Use region specific language for a high response rate. This makes the survey more relatable.
3. Avoid survey fatigue:
It can get tempting to probe people on metrics that are not required. Stick to the precise goal of the feedback form. It can be a net promoter score or a customer satisfaction metric score. These metrics contain 2 questions- a numeric or a rating format along with an open-ended question to gauge their sentiments. Keep it short and sweet.
4. Choose the right CX tools:
Opt for a robust tool to help you curate feedback questionnaires. This will save you time due to the multiple available formats. Use tools of Merren and choose from over 200+ templates that you can customize. Additionally, use the AI survey builder to create a feedback form in a few clicks. Merren makes it straightforward for CX professionals to create, collect, and compile data without much cognitive stress.
5. Encourage incentives:
Include survey rewards such as a coupon code, freebie, samples towards the end of the survey. This will encourage people to complete the survey and not leave it halfway. Using Merren, you can create incentives via WhatsApp or Facebook messenger surveys with our reward integrations.
6. Device compatibility:
Always pre-test your feedback questionnaire before sharing your campaign. This can save you troubles and time. Demo tests across devices to make sure people can see the format as intended. This can include certain multimedia content. The surveys must be compatible on desktop, android and iOS devices for best results.
Conclusion
The traditional method of using online link based methods will not always bring the desired results. To back your research with actionable data, switch to Merren. Curate your own questionnaires with our pre-designed survey templates. We use artificial intelligence to bring instant surveys to the table. Use these instant questionnaires, customize it and share it via various channels of communication. Your customers deserve your attention. It is time to use a superfast platform and upgrade your CX protocols. Sign up for a 14 day free trial with Merren. You can create instant surveys with our AI Survey Builder here.
