The most successful businesses welcome customer feedback. Gathering it can be time-consuming and expensive, but online survey tools make the job a cinch. The following are a few of the best customer survey tools for obtaining and analyzing consumer feedback:

1. Google Forms

A no-nonsense tool, Google Forms allows for unlimited survey creation, plus an unlimited number of responses. All data can be easily imported into a convenient spreadsheet.

2. SurveyMonkey

While SurveyMonkey is a bit more limited than Google Forms, it remains a popular and user-friendly means of gathering customer feedback. The free version allows for a maximum of ten questions, so it’s best left for short, informal surveys.

3. Crowdsignal

Crowdsignal offers an unlimited number of surveys, questions, and respondents. iPad and iPhone compatibility, means you can conduct surveys on-site to gain immediate feedback.

4. SurveyNuts

An easy to use questionnaire maker or survey builder. Use their software to design your own survey then use their dashboard to track results.

5. SurveyLegend

SurveyLegend allows for survey creation with a variety of devices, including mobile phones and desktop computers. With a free account, you can create up to three surveys featuring as many questions and responses as you desire.

6. Typeform

Typeform allows for longer text responses in addition to standard multiple-choice options. With longer responses, you can gain a clearer sense of customers’ thoughts, which cannot always be accurately conveyed in a simple multiple-choice answer.

7. Client Heartbeat

Target your survey specifically to your brand with Client Heartbeat, a versatile survey tool that emphasizes aesthetics. Choose common industry questions or create your own. Client Heartbeat lets you compare score to others in your industry.

8. QuestionPro

Whether you prefer to upload surveys from Word or use an existing template, you’ll find it blissfully easy to reach out to customers when you use QuestionPro. The service offers numerous analysis features, including segmentation, pivot tables, and real-time summaries.

9. SurveyGizmo

Advanced, yet easy to navigate, SurveyGizmo boasts typical survey tool features, but also a 24/7 support forum and email support for all paid plans. Available question types include checkbox, radio button, rating scale, and dropdown menu.

10. SurveyPlanet

Offering a robust free version and a paid version with plenty of extras, SurveyPlanet allows you to ask an unlimited number of respondents as many questions as you see fit. The service also offers easy embedding and numerous survey theme options.

Hints for Creating Survey Questions

You want accurate information about your customers’ spending habits, thoughts, and wishes; you won’t get that if you ask leading questions. The best surveys allow customers to answer honestly, without being guided in a specific direction by biased queries. Consider including essay questions for an in-depth look at customer preferences, plus neutral multiple-choice queries that respondents immediately understand.

No matter your preferred platform for obtaining customer feedback, it behooves you to gather targeted information about consumer perception and preferences. The better you understand your customers, the better you can adapt your goods and services to meet their unique needs — and the more likely you are to capture repeat business.