Author: Mohamed Sehwail

Survey Monkey has earned quite a name for itself in the digital marketing space for a lot of good reasons. For one, it’s easy to use, even for people with minimal tech experience. Plus, it’s incredibly flexible, thanks to its customization options.

However, despite its reputation as one of the best platforms for online surveys, SurveyMonkey may not be the best tool for every business. So, what other options are there?

In this guide, we’ll go over the best features of SurveyMonkey, its limitations, and the best alternatives that might fit your needs a little bit better.

What is Survey Monkey?

Survey Monkey is a cloud-based survey platform that makes it easy to create, distribute, and analyze surveys. It’s very straightforward, so whether you’re a pro at this or just starting out, you’ll get the hang of it quickly. 

You can choose from many question types, such as multiple-choice, drop-down, or even open-ended questions, to ensure you’re asking exactly what you need to.

The platform comes packed with pre-made templates for all kinds of functions—whether you’re looking to figure out if your customers are happy, what your employees are thinking, or how a new product might do in the market. This makes setting up a survey pretty quick and painless.

Aside from data collection, this platform also has several comprehensive tools to help you make sense of the answers you get back. You can watch the results roll in as they happen, analyze the data with different reports, and see everything laid out in easy-to-understand charts. 

Plus, if you need to work with the data in another program, you can export it without a fuss.

What Are the Advantages of Using Survey Monkey?

We’ve already laid out the central features of Survey Monkey, but what exactly makes it one of the best choices for data collection and market research? Here are several reasons why you might pick Survey Monkey:

• Easy to Use

It’s straightforward to set up and run surveys on Survey Monkey, which means you don’t have to be a tech expert to get things going. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, so you can start collecting data immediately.

• Flexibility

You get a lot of room to play around with different types of questions and formats. Whether you need simple yes/no questions or something more complex, Survey Monkey lets you customize your surveys to fit exactly what you’re studying.

• Ready-Made Templates

If you’re not sure where to start, Survey Monkey has a bunch of pre-built templates tailored for different scenarios, like checking in on customer satisfaction or getting feedback from your team.

• Analysis Tools

As responses roll in, Survey Monkey provides some neat tools to help you sift through the data. You can pull up reports, dig into graphs, and make sense of the feedback with ease, which is great for spotting trends and making decisions.

• Works Well with Other Tools

It’s a breeze to integrate Survey Monkey with other software you might be using, which helps simplify your workflow and keeps everything running smoothly.

• Scales with Your Needs

No matter the size of your survey or the audience, Survey Monkey can handle it. This scalability is perfect whether you’re doing a quick poll or a detailed survey across thousands of participants.

• Looks Good on Any Device

The surveys you create will look and work great on any device, which is important since a lot of people will fill them out on their phones. This helps in getting more responses and more accurate data.

What Are the Limitations of Survey Monkey?

There’s no denying that Survey Monkey is a great platform for collecting and analyzing survey data. However, there are several reasons why you might go with an alternative to SurveyMonkey:

• Cost

While there’s a free version, it’s pretty basic. The more advanced features are locked behind a paywall, and these subscriptions can add up, especially for small businesses or individuals on a tight budget. The standard monthly plan is $99 per month.

• Customization Limits

While you can tweak your surveys quite a bit, there’s a ceiling to how much you can customize. If you have very specific branding or complex survey design needs, you might find the options a bit restrictive.

• Complexity for Beginners

Despite its user-friendly reputation, Survey Monkey can be overwhelming if you dive deep. The sheer number of features and settings might take some time to learn, particularly if you want to use more advanced functionalities.

• Data Analysis Features

While Survey Monkey offers solid data analysis capabilities, the depth and breadth of these tools might not satisfy advanced users or those with specialized needs. Particularly, it might lack the more sophisticated statistical tools that some researchers require.

• Response Rate Control

Once your survey is out there, there’s not much you can do to increase response rates directly through the platform. You’re pretty much on your own to find ways to encourage more responses, which can be a challenge.

• Integration with Other Software

While there are some integration capabilities, they might not cover all the tools you use. Depending on your tech stack, you could find yourself needing more seamless integration options than what’s available.

9 Best Survey Monkey Alternatives

So, what are your other options for survey software? Here are some standout SurveyMonkey alternatives you might find more appealing for your business:

1. FullSession: Best Overall

First up is FullSession, a comprehensive web analytics tool that aims to help you understand customer feedback, behaviors, journeys, and more. In terms of surveys, FullSession is a top pick because it does more than just gather survey responses.

This platform gives you a deeper look into how people interact with your site or product in real-time. This means you’re not just collecting feedback; you’re also seeing how users behave, which can help you tweak things to make their experience better.

Pros:

• It digs into user behavior and collected data to give you a clear picture of what’s going on.
• You can see how users interact with your site or product as it happens, which is super helpful for making quick improvements.
• It’s great for increasing overall user engagement and satisfaction since you can spot and fix issues right away.
• You can create unlimited surveys even with just the basic plan.

Pricing:

• Basic: $39 per month
• Business: Starts at $149 per month
• Enterprise: Price available upon consultation

2. QuestionPro: Best for Multilingual Surveys

QuestionPro is the top pick for creating and running multilingual surveys. It supports over 30 languages, which is great if you’re aiming to connect with folks across the globe in their own language. This helps cut down on misunderstandings and increases the chances of getting more responses.

Aside from its knack for languages, QuestionPro is also packed with solid features for gathering customer feedback and other types of data. It offers many different question categories, detailed analytics, and customizable templates, which make it a handy tool for just about any survey project you’ve got in mind.

Pros:

• Can handle surveys in multiple languages, which is perfect for international studies.
• Provides detailed insights with tools for data slicing, cross-tabulation, and advanced statistical analysis.
• Features an intuitive interface and a variety of templates, making survey creation quick and straightforward.

Cons:

• While there is a free version, the most valuable features come with the paid plans, which might be a bit pricey for some users.
• Some users find the interface a bit cluttered, especially when accessing more complex functions.
• New users might need some time to get familiar with all the features and options available.

Pricing:

• Advanced: $99 per month
• Team Edition: $83 per user per month
• Research Edition: Available upon consultation

3. Qualtrics XM: Best for Researching User Experience

Qualtrics XM is a standout choice for researching user experience because it’s specifically designed with powerful tools to dig deep into how users interact with products and services. 

It doesn’t stop at collecting responses; Qualtrics goes further by allowing users to analyze and interpret this data to improve user satisfaction comprehensively.

These features make Qualtrics ideal for businesses focused on refining their user experience, from websites to mobile apps and beyond.

Pros:

• Offers sophisticated capabilities for gathering and analyzing UX data to help identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
• Allows businesses to capture feedback instantly, which is important for making quick adjustments to user interfaces or services.
• Seamlessly integrates with a variety of platforms and makes sure that UX data flows smoothly into other business systems for broader analysis.

Cons:

• The array of features and depth of data can be overwhelming for beginners or small teams without dedicated UX professionals.
• With its advanced features, Qualtrics XM comes at a higher price point, which might be a barrier for smaller companies or those with limited budgets.
• To fully leverage the platform’s capabilities, a business might need to invest time and resources in training and implementation.

Pricing:

• Pricing available upon consultation

4. Typeform: Best for User Engagement

Typeform can help businesses upgrade their user engagement through surveys due to its visually appealing and interactive design. The platform is known for its sleek, minimalist interface that makes surveys feel less like a chore and more like a conversation.

Its unique approach helps to keep respondents interested and engaged, which can lead to higher completion rates and more reliable data.

Pros:

• Typeform’s user-friendly layouts and beautiful aesthetics make each survey an enjoyable experience for respondents.
• Users have extensive control over the look and feel of their surveys, which can be tailored to match brand identity and meet specific engagement goals.
• Allows for smart logic paths that change based on how respondents answer for more personalization and relevance.

Cons:

• While Typeform excels at data collection, its analytical tools aren’t as robust as some other platforms, which might be a drawback for users needing deep data analysis.
• The free version is quite limited, and unlocking more powerful features can get expensive.
• While Typeform integrates with many popular tools, the integration capabilities might not be as extensive or as seamless as needed for complex workflows.

Pricing:

• Basic: $25 per month
• Plus: $50 per month
• Business: $83 per month (up to 5 users)
• Enterprise: Available upon consultation

5. ProProfs Survey Maker: Best For Customer Feedback

ProProfs Survey Maker is an excellent tool for collecting customer feedback, thanks to its clear and direct approach. It’s built to help businesses roll out surveys quickly and easily, which makes sure they’re user-friendly while still effectively snagging all those crucial customer insights and opinions.

Plus, the tool’s scalable pricing can be a benefit for small businesses that don’t need a huge amount of responses yet.

Pros:

• ProProfs Survey Maker is very user-friendly and allows anyone to create and launch surveys without needing extensive technical knowledge.
• Offers a wide range of ready-to-use templates specifically designed for various types of customer feedback, which can save a lot of time and effort.
• Provides detailed reports that help you understand customer feedback in depth, allowing you to make informed decisions based on actual data.

Cons:

• While great for basic surveys, it may lack some of the advanced features found in more specialized tools.
• May not integrate as seamlessly with other business tools as some might need.
• There are some limits to how much you can customize the look of your surveys, which might not suffice for those needing highly branded content.

Pricing:

• Business: $9.99 per month per 100 responses/month (500 email sends)

6. LimeSurvey: Best for Customized Surveys

LimeSurvey is great for when you need a survey tool that goes the extra mile in customization. It’s perfect for any project that demands more than just the usual questions, like in-depth research or specialized feedback gathering.

With LimeSurvey, you’re in control of pretty much everything when you create surveys, from the way they look to the questions you include and how they’re organized. 

This level of customization means your surveys can really reflect your brand and gather data exactly how you need it.

Pros:

• Allows for in-depth customization of survey forms, which enables users to adjust every aspect of their surveys to meet specific needs or match organizational branding.
• As an open-source tool, LimeSurvey gives users the freedom to modify the software’s code to add features or integrate with other systems as needed.
• Unlike many other survey tools, LimeSurvey does not impose limits on the number of responses you can collect, which is ideal for large-scale research projects.

Cons:

• The level of customization and flexibility comes with a steeper learning curve. Setting up and managing surveys might require more technical expertise than other platforms.
• While it’s strong in data collection, LimeSurvey’s analytical tools are not as robust as those of some of its competitors, which might require additional tools for data analysis.
• Maintaining and updating an open-source tool can demand significant time and resources, especially for users without technical backgrounds.

Pricing:

• Starts at $34 per month

7. Google Forms: Best for Simple Surveys and Usage Limits

Google Forms will be your choice if you’re looking for a straightforward tool to create surveys without all the fuss. It’s particularly good for anyone who needs to whip up quick polls or surveys with a clean, user-friendly interface.

Since it’s part of the Google ecosystem, it also integrates seamlessly with other Google apps. Such a feature makes it easy to manage and analyze your data.

Pros:

• Incredibly user-friendly and allows you to set up and send out surveys in just a few clicks.
• It’s free to use, which is perfect for individuals or organizations on a tight budget.
• If you’re already using Google Sheets or other Google apps, integrating and analyzing survey data is a breeze.

Cons:

• While it’s great for simple surveys, Google Forms doesn’t offer the advanced features or customization that some other platforms provide.
• The built-in analytics are fairly basic, so you might need to use additional tools for more detailed data analysis.
• The conditional logic options are limited, which might not be enough for more complex survey structures.

8. Survicate: Best for Customer Segmentation

Survicate can help you set up surveys and feedback mechanisms that target specific groups within your audience. 

This kind of focus is a must for businesses that want to sharpen their marketing strategies, fine-tune their product lines, and improve overall customer experiences based on solid, continuous customer insights.

For example, you can send out targeted questions to different segments, which means you’re gathering exactly the kind of feedback you need from the right people. Effective segmentation helps you avoid the pitfalls of one-size-fits-all surveys and leads to more relevant and actionable data.

Pros:

• You can send surveys that hit the mark with different audience segments to gather the exact feedback you need.
• This online survey tool integrates smoothly with your CRM and other marketing tools so you can keep all your insights and data in sync.

Cons:

• The free version is pretty basic, and the additional features come with a higher price tag, which might be a stretch for smaller budgets.
• There’s a bit of a learning curve with all the features and options, especially if you’re new to advanced survey tools.
• Compared to other platforms, there might not be as many ready-to-go templates, which means you might have to put in more work designing surveys from scratch.

Pricing:

• Business: Starts at $99 per month (from 250 responses per month)
• Scale: Starts at $299 per month

9. Crowdsignal: Best for WordPress Users

Crowdsignal, formerly Polldaddy, is a WordPress plugin that lets you add polls, surveys, quizzes, and ratings right from your dashboard.

That said, it’s perfect for bloggers, website owners, and businesses who use WordPress and want a simple way to engage with their visitors without needing to juggle separate tools or complicated setups.

For example, users can create customer satisfaction surveys to gauge reactions to new content, blog features, affiliate products, and more.

Pros:

• You get to play with polls, surveys, quizzes, and ratings, adding a dynamic layer to your website that can increase visitor interaction.
• It’s designed to be straightforward, so you can set up and start gathering data quickly, even if you’re not too tech-savvy.

Cons:

• Crowdsignal might not offer the depth of features or customization that more advanced users or large businesses need.
• The analytics provided are fairly basic. If you need more detailed analysis, you might find it a bit lacking.
• The customization options for the look and feel of the tools are somewhat limited, which might not sit well with those who need tightly branded elements.

Pricing:

• Premium: $15 per month
• Business: $45 per month
• Team: $29 per user per month

Why Should You Choose the Best Survey Tool?

Choosing the right survey tool is a non-negotiable if you want to get the most out of your efforts. Here’s a deeper look at why it’s so important:

Get Quality Data

A great survey tool helps you ask the right questions the right way. 

This means your questions are clear, straightforward, and designed to avoid confusion, which, in turn, helps you get more accurate and meaningful answers from your audience.

Save Time and Effort

Look for a survey tool that’s easy to use and does a lot of the heavy lifting for you. 

Features like drag-and-drop editors, ready-made templates, and automated analytics can save you a ton of time and hassle and let you focus on what the data is telling you instead of how to use the tool.

Reach the Right People

The best survey tools make it easy to send your survey to the right people, whether that’s via email, social media, or directly on your website.

The easier it is to distribute your survey, the broader and more diverse responses you can collect, which can give you a better overall view of what your audience thinks.

Analyze Data Easily

You want a tool that makes pulling insights from survey data collected as easy as pie. Good survey software will offer powerful analytics that let you slice and dice the data without needing to be a data scientist.

This means you can quickly see patterns, trends, and get the insights you need to make informed decisions.

Maximize Engagement

Let’s face it: nobody loves filling out a boring survey. A good survey tool will help you create surveys that are not only visually appealing but also engaging and interactive.

A good-looking survey can help keep your audience interested and willing to complete it, which increases your response rates and the quality of the data you collect.

Best Practices for Creating Online Surveys

Want to get the most out of your online surveys? Follow these best practices:

1. Keep it short and sharp: People usually don’t have much time to spare. Try to keep your surveys short and to the point. A good length is around 5-10 minutes to complete, max. This respects your respondents’ time and increases the likelihood of them completing the survey.
2. Craft clear and concise questions: Make sure your survey questions are straightforward and avoid any jargon that might confuse respondents. Clear questions lead to more accurate responses.
3. Start with easy questions: Kick off your survey with simpler questions that warm up respondents and engage them from the get-go. Save any more sensitive or complex questions for later in the survey.
4. Use varied question types: Mix up multiple-choice questions with scales and occasional open-ended questions. This variety can make the survey more engaging and also give you a range of qualitative and quantitative data.
5. Logical question flow: Arrange your questions in a logical sequence that feels natural. Jumping around between unrelated topics might confuse respondents and skew your data.
6. Optimize for mobile: A lot of people will take your survey on their phones. Make sure your survey looks good and works well on mobile devices so as not to miss out on this audience.
7. Pre-test your survey: Before going live, test your survey with a small group to iron out any kinks. This can help you spot issues with question clarity, survey length, or technical problems.
8. Anonymity and privacy: Be clear about how you’ll use the data and respect respondents’ privacy. This transparency builds trust and can increase response rates.
9. Offer incentives: Small rewards can motivate people to participate in your survey. Even something like a small discount or entry into a draw can be effective.

Build Engaging and High-Quality Custom Surveys With FullSession

Out of all the alternatives to SurveyMonkey, why choose FullSession? 

Well, FullSession offers real-time interaction tracking, which sets it apart from other tools. This feature allows you to see what users are saying in their survey responses and how they interact with your website in real-time.

Aside from that, FullSession comes with powerful tools that can help you better understand how your customers behave and what they think about your brand:

• Heatmaps: These give you a visual snapshot of where users click, scroll, and hang out the most on your site. It’s a great way to see what’s hot and what’s not, helping you figure out which parts catch their attention and which might need a bit of tweaking.
• Session Replay: Ever wish you could look over someone’s shoulder to see how they use your site? Session replay lets you do just that. You can watch recordings of user sessions to see their journey through your site, spotting any snags or frustrations they might experience along the way.
• Analytics Dashboard: All the data FullSession collects comes together in a neat, easy-to-navigate dashboard. It breaks down all the metrics and insights into clear reports, helping you make sense of user behavior and plan your next moves.

FullSession Pricing Plans

The FullSession platform offers a 14-day free trial. It provides two paid plans—Basic and Business. Here are more details on each plan.

• The Starter plan costs $39/month or $32/year and allows you to monitor up to 5,000 monthly sessions with up to 6 months of data storage.
• The Business plan costs $75/month or $60/year and helps you to track and analyze up to 100,000 monthly sessions with up to 12 months of data storage.
• The Enterprise plan has custom pricing and offers customizable sessions plus full access to all features.

Book a demo today.

Install Your First Website Survey Form Right Now

It takes less than 5 minutes to set up your first website or app survey form with FullSession, and it’s completely free!

FAQs About Survey Software

Do these platforms let you try before you buy?

Yes! Many of these tools have a free trial period or even a forever-free version with basic features. Google Forms, for instance, is totally free but has some limitations.

Can survey software be used for any type of survey?

Yes, modern survey software is quite versatile and can be used for various types of surveys, such as customer satisfaction, employee feedback, academic research, and market analysis. Some tools may specialize in particular areas, so check their features first.

Is survey software expensive?

Prices vary widely. Some tools are free but offer limited features, while premium options can be quite costly but provide extensive functionalities and support. Determine your budget and find a tool that offers the best value for your needs.

How do I choose the right survey software?

Consider what you need from the software: Do you need advanced analytics? Is multilingual support important? Also, think about ease of use, integration with other tools, and your budget. It’s often helpful to list your requirements and compare several options.

Qualitative research uncovers the details of human behavior, beliefs, and feelings. It gives us insights that numbers can’t always tell.

These research questions help us understand the “how” and “why” of things. 

In this article, we’ll look at six examples of good qualitative questions. We aim to highlight how picking the right questions can improve your study.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

It is important to understand the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.

Qualitative research questions aim to explore concepts, experiences, and perspectives. They offer the qualitative research expert an in-depth insight into the subject.

On the other hand, quantitative research questions focus on measurable aspects. They seek statistical comparisons to reach factual conclusions.

Both quantitative and qualitative questions have important roles in research. They serve unique purposes and provide different types of data.

The Importance of Qualitative Questions

Unlike quantitative research, qualitative questions aren’t about numbers and statistical analysis. It’s about understanding the reason behind data from a focus group.

Why pick qualitative research? When conducting qualitative research, you want to know why someone does something, not just count how many times they do it.

You ask, and you listen. That’s the power of qualitative research. The right question is a key that unlocks valuable knowledge.

Key Elements of Effective Qualitative Research Questions

Effective qualitative research aims to unveil hidden truths. But how do you achieve it? With thought-provoking questions.

Here are the elements of the qualitative research questions for an in-depth exploration:

Open-ended and Exploratory

Qualitative research questions aim to understand the “how” and “why” of a topic. They invite people to share their views and stories.

Open-ended and exploratory questions help researchers grasp complex issues. These questions allow for diverse and detailed answers to a particular subject.

Clarity and Focus

Qualitative research questions need to be clear, focused, and brief. They help ensure the research meets its goals. 

Being specific guides data collection and analysis, leading to valuable findings.

Relationships and Personal Experiences

Qualitative research questions examine how different factors relate to personal experiences and seek to understand why people act in certain ways. 

They also explore how people respond to their surroundings, including culture and workplace rules.

Ethical Considerations

When creating qualitative research questions, it’s important to think about ethics. Questions need to respect participants’ dignity, privacy, and independence.

This makes sure that the research does not cause harm or distress. Ethics also matter when explaining and sharing results, as researchers must present data truthfully and with care.

Role in the Research Design

The right qualitative research questions are crucial in the design of research projects for several reasons:

1. Guidance on Research Methods: Directs the choice of qualitative research methods. Options include:

• Focus Groups: Small groups discuss topics with a moderator.
• In-Depth Interviews: Offers detailed insights from individual viewpoints.
• Qualitative Surveys: Gathers open-ended responses from a broad audience.

2. Ensuring the Right Tools are Used: Matching objectives with the most suitable research tools. Enables thorough investigation and captures the complexity of experiences.
3. Facilitating a Clear Understanding: Aims to uncover not just what is happening but why. Explores thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and the effects of various influences.
4. Informing the Research Design: Influences all design aspects, including participant selection and analysis framework. Ensures ethical standards guide the research process.

6 Types and Examples of Qualitative Questions

Here are six types of qualitative questions with examples:

1. Descriptive

These questions are aimed at describing the characteristics or features of a product.

• Example 1: How do users describe their initial impressions when they first interact with our new software interface?
• Example 2: What are the specific colors and design elements that users notice about the new smartphone model when they see it for the first time?

2. Exploratory

Exploratory questions are designed to investigate how things work or how users interact with a product.

• Example 1: What strategies do users employ to navigate through the features of our newly launched app?
• Example 2: How do users attempt to solve problems when they encounter errors using our digital service platform?

3. Experiential

These questions focus on the user’s experiences and emotions related to the product.

• Example 1: Can you describe a memorable experience you had while using our product?
• Example 2: What emotions do you feel when using our product under stressful conditions?

4. Comparative

Comparative questions look at differences between products, user groups, or other variables.

• Example 1: How do new users’ experiences with our product compare to those of long-term users?
• Example 2: In what ways does our product perform better or worse than our main competitor’s product in similar conditions?

5. Process-oriented

These questions delve into the processes or sequences of actions related to using the product.

• Example 1: Can you walk me through the process you typically follow when setting up our product for the first time?
• Example 2: What steps do you take when you troubleshoot an issue with our product?

6. Theoretical

Theoretical questions aim to understand the underlying principles or theories that explain user behavior or product dynamics.

• Example 1: What theories can explain why users prefer our product’s design over traditional designs?
• Example 2: Based on your knowledge, what psychological principles might influence how users adapt to our product’s innovative features?

How to Choose Qualitative Research Questions?

When selecting qualitative questions, the aim is to deeply understand user interactions, perceptions, and experiences with the product. 

Here are some key considerations for choosing good qualitative research questions:

• Define Your Objectives 

Start by clearly defining the research objective of your product testing. What specific aspects of the product are you looking to evaluate? Are you interested in usability, aesthetics, functionality, or user satisfaction? Your objectives will guide the types of questions you need to ask. For example, if user satisfaction is your focus, you might ask about the user’s emotional response to the product.

• Consider the Type of Qualitative Research 

Different types of qualitative methods—such as ethnographic, narrative, phenomenological, or grounded theory—may influence the style and structure of your questions. For instance, narrative research focuses on stories and experiences, so your questions should encourage storytelling about product use.

• Ensure Questions are Open-Ended 

Qualitative questions should be open-ended to allow for detailed responses that can reveal insights not anticipated by the researcher. Instead of asking, “Do you like our product?” which prompts a yes or no answer, ask, “How do you feel about our product?” to encourage a more detailed and nuanced response.

• Be Clear and Concise 

While questions should allow for open-ended answers, they must also be clear and concise to avoid confusing the respondent. Ambiguity can lead to unreliable qualitative data, as different participants might interpret the questions differently.

• Sequence the Questions Logically 

The order in which you ask questions can impact the flow of conversation and the quality of information gathered. Start with more general questions to make the respondent comfortable before moving to more specific or sensitive topics. This sequence helps build rapport and can lead to more honest and detailed responses later in the discussion.

• Consider the Participant 

Tailor your questions to fit the background and experience level of your participants. Questions that are too technical or too basic can frustrate users or fail to elicit useful information. Understanding your audience allows you to frame questions that are appropriately challenging and engaging.

• Pilot Test Your Questions 

Before finalizing your set of questions, conduct a pilot test with a small group of participants. This testing can reveal if any questions are confusing or ineffective at eliciting useful responses. Feedback from this phase can be invaluable in refining your questions.

• Be Prepared to Adapt 

Finally, while it’s important to prepare your questions carefully, also be flexible during actual interactions. The conversation may reveal new paths of inquiry that are worth exploring. Being adaptive can help you capture deep insights that strictly adhering to a prepared list of questions might miss.

Start Collecting Qualitative Data Right Now

It takes less than 5 minutes to set up your first website or app feedback form, with FullSession, and it’s completely free!

After that, you will be able to collect high-quality feedback and avoid the guesswork.

FullSession Pricing Plans

The FullSession platform offers a 14-day free trial. It provides two paid plans—Basic and Business. Here are more details on each plan.

• The Free plan is available at $0/month and lets you track up to 500 sessions per month with 30 days of data retention, making it ideal for testing core features like session replay, heatmaps, and frustration signals.
  
• The Growth Plan starts from $23/month (billed annually, $276/year) for 5,000 sessions/month – with flexible tiers up to 50,000 sessions/month. Includes 4 months of data retention plus advanced features like funnels & conversion analysis, feedback widgets, and AI-assisted segment creation.
  
• The Pro Plan starts from $279/month (billed annually, $3,350/year) for 100,000 sessions/month – with flexible tiers up to 750,000 sessions/month. It includes everything in the Growth plan, plus unlimited seats and 8-month data retention for larger teams that need deeper historical insights.
  
• The Enterprise plan starts from $1,274/month when billed annually ($15,288/year) and is designed for large-scale needs with 500,000+ sessions per month, 15 months of data retention, priority support, uptime SLA, security reviews, and fully customized pricing and terms.

Book a demo today.

FAQs about Qualitative Research Questions 

What is a qualitative research question?

Qualitative research questions focus on ways to gather deep insights into people’s experiences, beliefs, and perceptions. Such questions invite detailed narrative responses.

Can qualitative research questions change during the study?

It’s not uncommon for qualitative research questions to evolve during the course of a study. As preliminary data is collected and analyzed, new insights may emerge that prompt a qualitative researcher to refine their questions. 

How are qualitative questions used in business?

Businesses use qualitative questions to uncover valuable insights. They can explore customer behavior, employee satisfaction, or market trends. One example could be: “What factors drive consumer loyalty to our brand?”

Are there specific words to use in qualitative research questions?

Yes, use words like “describe,” “explain,” and “how” to frame qualitative questions. These terms promote more detailed and comprehensive answers. They are key to qualitative analysis.

Launching a mobile app isn’t easy, and if you’ve already made it this far, congratulations!

However, the work isn’t over yet, and probably never will be. Now that you’ve put your app out there, it’s time to see what your audience thinks about it.

Measuring app performance is more than just the number of downloads or the app store ratings. You also need to look at what your users are saying, and there are multiple feedback channels you can use.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of in-app feedback, what it can do for you, the best feedback tools for your app, and more.

What is In-App Feedback?

In-app feedback is the process of collecting user opinions, suggestions, complaints, and compliments directly within the app interface. This feedback can take many forms, from bug reports and feature requests to general comments about the user experience.

The beauty of in-app feedback lies in its immediacy and relevance. It allows developers and businesses to gather insights in real-time while the user’s experience is fresh in their minds. This makes customer feedback more accurate and significantly increases the chances of identifying and addressing user needs quickly.

It’s an essential tool for improving app functionality, user satisfaction, and overall app success by making sure that development efforts are closely aligned with what users actually want and need.

What Are the Types of In-App Feedback?

We can divide user feedback from apps into two main categories: general and contextual feedback. Each type serves a distinct purpose and provides unique insights into user experience and satisfaction. 

Here’s a closer look at both types:

General In-App Feedback

General customer feedback is versatile and unstructured. It allows users to communicate any aspect of their experience at any time. 

It’s like an open invitation for users to share whatever is on their mind, whether it’s a bug they encountered, a feature they wish the app had, or a compliment on what they love about the app.

Tools to gather general in-app feedback include:

• NPS surveys
• Customer satisfaction surveys
• Feature requests
• Mobile app surveys
• Feedback buttons

Contextual In-App Feedback

Contextual in-app feedback, on the other hand, is targeted, specific, and triggered by particular actions or moments within the app experience.

For example, after completing a transaction, booking a service, or reaching a new level in a game, the app might prompt users for their feedback on that specific experience. This type of feedback helps companies understand how users interact with specific features or aspects of the app and identify opportunities for improvement.

You can collect contextual user feedback through:

• Pop-up surveys
• Bug reporting widget

What’s the Point of Collecting in App Feedback?

When you gather in-app feedback, you get a pulse on what your users think about and how they feel about your product. It helps you accomplish many tasks necessary for business growth and development, such as:

Understanding User Needs and Frustrations

The direct line of communication opened by in-app feedback allows you to get into your users’ shoes. You can see what’s working, what’s not, and what’s on their wishlist.

You need this insight to make informed decisions about which features to polish, which bugs to squash first, and what new functionalities might lead your app to become a user favorite.

Plus, you can measure customer satisfaction, which is an important metric that determines how well your app is doing.

Improving User Engagement and Loyalty

When users see their feedback leading to real changes and improvements, they feel valued and heard. This increases user satisfaction and fosters a sense of community and loyalty towards your app.

Users are more likely to stick with an app that they feel directly contributes to and can be more forgiving of any teething problems because they know their concerns will be addressed.

Prioritizing Development Resources

Resources are finite, and knowing where to allocate them can make or break an app. In-app feedback helps you identify the pain points and pleasure zones within your app. 

This way, you can smartly allocate your development resources to areas that will have the most significant impact on user satisfaction and retention.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

In-app feedback acts as a radar that helps you catch wind of changing user trends and expectations. 

Continuously gathering and analyzing feedback helps you stay ahead of the curve as you adapt your app to meet evolving needs before your competitors do.

Increasing App Ratings and Downloads

Positive user experiences, driven by addressing feedback successfully, often translate into higher app ratings and glowing reviews.

These are necessary for visibility in app stores because they influence potential users’ decisions to download your app over another. A high-rated app buoyed by a reputation for being responsive to user feedback can significantly increase your user base.

Informing Marketing Strategies

Understanding what users love and don’t love about your app can also guide your marketing strategies. You can highlight popular features in your promotional materials and address potential users’ concerns preemptively.

This targeted approach helps your marketing efforts to resonate more deeply with your intended audience. On another note, you may also save more money on marketing because you have data-driven insights to base your marketing efforts on.

How Do You Collect In-App Feedback?

There are many ways you can collect customer feedback from an app, but there are only a few that prove to be most effective. These methods often include:

1. In-App Surveys

In-app surveys are targeted questionnaires users see within a mobile app’s interface. They’re designed to collect specific feedback about the user’s experience, preferences, opinions, and behavior while they’re actively engaging with the app.

The key to successful in-app surveys is brevity. Users are usually not keen on spending a lot of time answering questions, so it’s a must to keep surveys short. Aim for no more than five questions, and make sure each one counts.

In that same vein, what you ask matters as much as how you ask. Focus on crafting questions that yield actionable insights. A mix of quantitative (e.g., rating scales) and qualitative (open-ended questions) is ideal. 

Quantitative questions can give you measurable data points, while qualitative questions can uncover the reasons behind user sentiments and behaviors.

2. Chatbots

Chatbots are AI-powered tools that engage users in conversation to assist, gather feedback, or guide them through various aspects of the app.

They offer a personalized experience to users by addressing them by name, recalling their previous interactions, and tailoring conversations based on the user’s history and preferences. Users often have questions or encounter issues while using an app, and chatbots can provide immediate assistance.

Also, chatbots can proactively initiate conversations to solicit feedback, unlike traditional feedback forms that rely on users taking the initiative to provide feedback. They can ask specific questions about recent updates, features, or the overall app experience, making it easier to collect targeted insights.

3. App Ratings

An app with lots of good ratings is more likely to attract new users. Apps cater to specific markets, and people tend to trust the opinions of the people within a group they share characteristics. 

In this case, those common denominators can be interests, fan bases, industry, or a specific problem they want to solve.

App ratings are found in app stores like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. They play a huge role in an app’s success and affect its visibility and overall appeal to potential new users. 

High ratings indicate that users generally find the app valuable, reliable, and enjoyable, while lower ratings can signal issues with functionality, user experience, or content.

While app ratings provide a quantitative measure of user satisfaction, the accompanying reviews often offer qualitative feedback. Users may highlight specific features they love, report bugs, or suggest improvements. 

Another benefit of app ratings is that you know the feedback is likely genuine; people rarely leave reviews on something they haven’t even tried yet.

4. Net Promoter Score Surveys

Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys are a popular and effective tool for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. For mobile apps, NPS surveys ask users a simple question: “On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend this app to a friend or colleague?”

Based on their responses, users are categorized into Promoters (scores 9-10), Passives (scores 7-8), and Detractors (scores 0-6).

NPS scores clearly indicate user loyalty and satisfaction. High scores (Promoters) suggest that users are not only satisfied with the app but are also likely to act as brand ambassadors and recommend the app to others.

On the other hand, Detractor scores highlight areas where the app falls short of user expectations. Developers can pinpoint specific issues or features that need improvement by further investigating the reasons behind these low scores.

5. Feedback Widgets

In-app feedback widgets are interactive elements embedded within an app’s interface and are designed to collect feedback directly through the app. These widgets can take various forms, such as:

• Floating button
• Sidebars
• A section within the app’s menu
• Symbols or emoticons
• Screenshot widgets
• Voice feedback widgets

Feedback widgets are readily available for users whenever they feel the need to share their thoughts without disrupting their app experience. They are often less intrusive than in-app surveys, which may lead to higher response rates.

Because a feedback widget is accessible throughout the app, the feedback collected is often related to specific features or content the user was interacting with at the time. This contextual information can be incredibly valuable in figuring out exactly what needs to be improved or what is working well.

Best In-App Feedback Tools

There’s a lot to consider when choosing an in-app feedback tool, and depending on the type of app you have, you may need to use more than one. 

Whatever the case may be, here is a list of the best in-app feedback tools that can help narrow down your search:

FullSession

FullSession is a web analytics platform that gives you access to multiple tools for measuring customer satisfaction and understanding how your app or website is performing.

A standout feature is FullSession’s customer feedback tools, which let you collect instant visual feedback on frustration points. You can build your own in-app survey (or use a pre-made template) and target your feedback based on specific parameters, such as the devices your audience is using.

Aside from feedback tools, FullSession also allows you to gauge user sentiment via interactive heatmaps and session recordings, which give you a clear visual of what your users are interacting with and where they might drop off the funnel.

UserVoice

UserVoice lets you integrate a feedback forum directly within your app. This space becomes a dynamic platform where users can propose and endorse new ideas. It’s like keeping a suggestion box wide open, where the most popular ideas are visible for all to see.

Users can also vote on others’ ideas. This voting mechanism helps product teams prioritize development efforts by clearly indicating which features or improvements are most desired by the community.

Instabug

Instabug is like having a direct hotline to your users whenever they run into trouble or have something to say. This tool is all about making it super easy for your app users to report bugs or share feedback without breaking their stride.

They can just shake their phone to report what’s bugging them (pun intended) or share ideas for making your app even better. 

AppFollow

AppFollow tunes you into what users are saying about your app on the app stores. It’s like having ears everywhere, keeping track of reviews and ratings so you can see what’s working and what’s not.

Additionally, it gives you a chance to jump into the conversation, respond to feedback, and show your users you’re really listening.

Intercom

Intercom allows you to chat with users in real time, making it easy to gather feedback, answer questions, and offer support exactly when they need it.

With features like targeted messages based on user behavior, automated responses to common queries, and detailed analytics, Intercom helps you understand and connect with your users on a deeper level.

What Can You Do With In-App Feedback?

In-app feedback can help you form actionable strategies that can upgrade your app from good to great. 

Here’s what you can do with it:

Improve the User Experience

Direct feedback from users can highlight specific areas of your app that are working well and those that aren’t. This information is important for prioritizing improvements, upgrading usability, and making sure your app meets the actual needs of your audience.

For example, you can implement A/B testing based on feedback. If users find the navigation confusing, create two versions of the app with different navigation layouts. Then, measure user engagement to determine which layout provides a better user experience.

Identify and Fix Bugs Quickly

Users are often the first to encounter bugs, and in-app feedback provides a direct channel for reporting these issues. By acting on this feedback, you can address problems swiftly and improve the app’s stability and user satisfaction.

Try setting up an automated system that prioritizes bug reports based on their frequency and impact. Use in-app user feedback to feed this system while making sure that critical issues are addressed first.

Refine Features Based on Demand

In-app feedback can reveal which features users love, which ones they don’t use, and what they wish your app had. This insight allows you to focus your development efforts on creating and refining features that truly matter to your user base.

Use feedback to create a feature request board that users can vote on. Allocate development resources to the most popular requests and make sure that new features align with user preferences and are likely to be well-received.

Make Data-Driven Decisions

Aggregated in-app feedback provides a wealth of data that can inform strategic decisions. Whether it’s deciding on the next set of features to develop or understanding user behavior patterns, feedback-driven insights can guide your app’s direction.

For example, you can use analytics tools to categorize and analyze feedback trends over time. This data can inform strategic planning and help focus efforts on updates that address the most common user issues or requests.

Foster a Community

Mobile app feedback collection mechanisms allow users to contribute to your app’s development process. This sense of contribution can foster a strong community around your app, with users feeling like they are part of something bigger.

Integrate a community forum within your app where users can share feedback, tips, and stories. Highlight changes made based on community suggestions to encourage a sense of ownership and participation among users. 

It’s a great way to engage your audience while improving your app along the way.

Collect Valuable User Feedback With FullSession

Make it easy to collect user feedback. With FullSession, you can plug in a preset or customized in-app feedback system to gather your audience’s thoughts about your product. 

Find out what they truly think, and make better decisions based on that critical feedback.

FullSession Pricing Plans

The FullSession platform offers a 14-day free trial. It provides two paid plans—Basic and Business. Here are more details on each plan.

• The Starter plan costs $39/month or $32/year and allows you to monitor up to 5,000 monthly sessions with up to 6 months of data storage.
• The Business plan costs $75/month or $60/year and helps you to track and analyze up to 100,000 monthly sessions with up to 12 months of data storage.
• The Enterprise plan has custom pricing and offers customizable sessions plus full access to all features.

Book a demo today.

Install Your First In-App Feedback Form Right Now

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FAQs About In-App Feedback

How often should I collect in-app feedback?

Think of it as an ongoing conversation. Regularly, but not intrusively, check in with your users to stay aligned with their needs and expectations.

Can in-app feedback negatively impact user experience?

If handled poorly, yes. Be mindful not to bombard users with requests for feedback. It’s about finding that sweet spot where you gather valuable insights without getting in the way of the user experience.

Should I respond to all feedback?

While it’s not always feasible to respond to every single piece of feedback individually, acknowledging user input through updates, fixes, and thank-you notes can go a long way in building a loyal user base.