How to Create a Free Survey? A Complete Guide

How to Create a Free Survey unlocks the door to powerful insights without breaking the bank.

Imagine gathering valuable data about your customers, audience, or research topic, all within a user-friendly online platform – for free!

First stop, internet exploration: dig into the plethora of survey platforms like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, and Typeform. These user-friendly wizards do the heavy lifting, leaving your brain cells unscathed.

Customization?

Oh, it’s on the menu. Pick question types like multiple choice, checkboxes, or text fields. Then spice things up with some eye-catching design elements. A dash of color here, a snazzy font there – make it visually appealing.

Design prowess?

Not mandatory – templates galore await your trembling mouse cursor.

Sharing?

A piece of cake. Link-share via email, social media, or embed it on your website: the more responses, the merrier.

How do you go about creating a free survey?

Table of Contents:

1. Understanding Surveys
2. What Makes the Best Free Survey Platform?
3. Exploring Leading Free Survey Platforms
4. Top Tools for Creating a Survey
5. How to Create a Free Survey?
6. How to Interpret Data Collected from Free Survey?
7. Advantages of Using a Free Survey Platform
8. Best Practices for Creating a Free Survey 
9. Wrap Up

Let me guide you.

Understanding Surveys

A survey is a structured tool for gathering information and opinions from people. It involves asking questions to collect data on a specific topic. Surveys can be created through various mediums, like paper forms or online platforms. The collected responses are then analyzed to draw conclusions or make informed decision-making based on the gathered information.

What Makes the Best Free Survey Platform?

Choosing the best online free survey generator involves considering various factors. Here’s an evaluation under specific headings:

• Free Plan Features

When assessing a survey generator, examine the features offered within its free plan. Look for capabilities such as the number of surveys you can create, the size of the respondent pool, and any limitations on question types. The best platforms provide robust functionality even in their free versions.

• Ease of Use

The usability of the survey generator is crucial. Clear menus, drag-and-drop simplicity, and helpful instructions – does this platform empower anyone to design impactful surveys? Look for tools that feel less like software and more like an extension of your creative thinking.

• Design and Templates

Aesthetic appeal and professional-looking surveys can enhance respondent engagement. Consider the design options and templates available in the survey generator, including a survey template in Excel for added flexibility. These platforms offer design elements that let you weave your brand’s story into every question, creating surveys that are as consistent as they are captivating.

• Question Types and Logic

A versatile survey generator should support various question types and logic features. Assess the platform’s ability to handle multiple-choice questions, open-ended responses, rating scales, and conditional logic. The best tools provide a range of question options and logic functionalities to cater to diverse survey needs.

• Reports and Analytics

Choose platforms that offer flexible export options in diverse formats, letting you unleash your findings to power presentations, reports, and beyond. The best platforms support longitudinal survey design, empowering users to analyze survey results effectively and facilitating informed decision-making.

Exploring Leading Free Survey Platforms

Here are some of the best free survey makers. These platforms make designing, distributing, and analyzing surveys easy without breaking the bank.

• Google Forms

A widely used and versatile option, Google Forms offers an intuitive interface. It lets you create surveys with various question types, including multiple-choice, text, and rating scales. You can customize themes, add images, and even collaborate with others in real time. Moreover, it automatically collects responses in Google Sheets, allowing easy analysis.

• Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite and caters well to users acquainted with Microsoft’s environment. It presents a variety of question formats and permits the customization of forms through themes and images. It stores responses in Excel, facilitating seamless data analysis. Additionally, it supports collaborative efforts, enabling teamwork among colleagues during the survey creation process.

• SurveyMonkey

This platform provides a user-friendly experience with various question types and customization options. Its free version allows you to create surveys with limited questions and responses. You can also access basic analysis tools and export your data. The paid plans offer more advanced features for in-depth insights.

• Typeform

Typeform stands out for its visually appealing and interactive surveys. It focuses on creating engaging user experiences through its conversational format. The free plan includes various question types and customization options. However, it has limitations on the number of questions and responses. Typeform’s interface is modern and user-friendly, making it suitable for creative and engaging surveys.

• JotForm

JotForm offers a user-friendly interface for creating surveys. The free plan allows for unlimited forms and responses, making it suitable for projects with high participation. It provides various question types and includes conditional logic for dynamic survey experiences. Moreover, JotForm provides customization options, and you can export the responses for analysis.

Top Tools for Creating a Survey

There are several tools available for survey creation. Google Forms stands out as the best option for several reasons;

• It is a free tool that offers a wide range of features and customization options. You can create unlimited free forms and collaborate with others to design the survey.
• Google Forms offers logic threading, which is useful for creating complex surveys and email notifications for form results.
• Google Forms seamlessly integrates with other Google apps and services. This makes it effortless to distribute surveys and access responses in a spreadsheet.

How to Create a Free Survey?

Let’s say you own an ice cream shop. You want to create a customer feedback survey with the following questions.

• How satisfied are you with the variety of flavors available?
• How satisfied are you with the presentation of ice cream products?
• How satisfied are you with the availability of our ice cream in local stores or outlets?

You want to embed the response scale below on each question:

1. Extremely Dissatisfied
2. Dissatisfied
3. Neutral
4. Satisfied
5. Extremely Satisfied

Follow the steps below to create your survey using Google Forms.

Step 1. Sign in and Access Google Forms

• Open Google Forms and sign in with your Google account.
• Click the “Blank” button to create a new form.

• Give your form a title and description that reflects your brand or purpose.

Step 3. Question Creation

• Choose the type of question you want to use, such as multiple-choice, checkbox, or short answer.
• Type your question in the “Untitled Question” section for multiple-choice questions. Then write “Option 1” and choose “Add option” for more options.

• You can customize the look and feel of your survey to match your brand or theme.
• Preview the form before sharing it with your target audience.

Step 5. Sharing the Form & Collect Responses

• Click the share button to distribute it to your target audience.

• Once you collect enough responses, click the “Link to Sheets” button.

• Download the responses as a .csv file from the drop-down menu.

How to Interpret Data Collected from Free Survey?

Are you struggling to make sense of the data collected from a free survey?

If you’re using Excel, you’re in luck – ChartExpo is here to make your life easier.

ChartExpo is the ultimate solution for transforming survey data into captivating visual representations. With its robust functionality and intuitive design, ChartExpo empowers you to navigate the vast array of features effortlessly. It equips you with a comprehensive toolkit, ensuring you present your findings in their most compelling form.

How to Install ChartExpo in Excel?

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps” option.
4. In the office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTA’s to install the tool of your choice and create attractive visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

Let’s say your survey yields the data table below.

Timestamp	How satisfied are you with the variety of flavors available?	How satisfied are you with the presentation and appearance of ice cream products?	How satisfied are you with the availability of our ice cream in local stores or outlets?
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Neutral	Neutral
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied	Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Neutral	Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Neutral	Satisfied	Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Neutral	Extremely Dissatisfied	Neutral
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied	Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Neutral	Extremely Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:33	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:34	Neutral	Extremely Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:35	Dissatisfied	Neutral	Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:36	Neutral	Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:37	Satisfied	Dissatisfied	Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:38	Extremely Dissatisfied	Neutral	Extremely Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:39	Extremely Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:40	Satisfied	Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:41	Extremely Dissatisfied	Neutral	Extremely Satisfied
10-13-2023 17:47:42	Neutral	Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied

This table contains example data. Expect many responses and questions in real life.

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
• Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.

• Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.

• Once it loads, choose the “Likert Scale Chart” from the charts list.

• Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

• When you click the “Create Chart From Selection” button, you have to map responses with numbers manually. The Likert scale has this arrangement:

• • Extremely Dissatisfied = 1
  • Dissatisfied = 2
  • Neutral = 3
  • Satisfied = 4
  • Extremely Satisfied = 5
• Once all is set, click the “Create Chart” button.

• ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

• If you want to have the chart’s title, click Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
• Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to change the title.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show.
• Give the appropriate title of your chart and click the Apply button.

• Let’s say you want to add text responses instead of numbers against every emoji.
• Click the pencil icon next to the respective emoji. Expand the “Label” properties and write the required text. Then click the “Apply All” button.
• Click the “Save Changes” button to persist the changes.

• Your final chart will appear below.

Insights

• 45% of customers are dissatisfied with the variety of flavors available, 25% are satisfied, and 30% remain neutral.
• Regarding presentation, 35% are satisfied, while 30% are dissatisfied.
• 50% are satisfied with the availability of the brand’s ice cream in local stores or outlets, while 35% are dissatisfied.
• Overall, 37% of respondents are satisfied with the ice cream stores, with 17% having a fantastic experience. Conversely, 36% are satisfied, with 17% having an awful experience.

Advantages of Using a Free Survey Platform

While conducting thorough research often comes with a hefty price tag, free surveys offer a surprisingly powerful alternative. Don’t underestimate their potential, for within these cost-effective tools lie a treasure trove of benefits:

• Accessibility Unleashed

No geographical or financial barriers! Online surveys, offered at no cost, democratize the research process, empowering individuals, small businesses, students, and non-profits to access valuable insights. This levels the playing field by providing an opportunity for those with limited resources to harness the power of data through the convenience of the internet.

• Speed Demons of Data

Online surveys deploy instantly, reaching a global audience in mere minutes. This rapid response time enables you to gather immediate feedback and respond quickly to emerging trends, ensuring that you stay closely attuned to your audience’s preferences.

• Response Rate Rocketship

The ease of online surveys brings joy to respondents, as they have the flexibility to complete surveys at their own pace, using any device, and from any location. This adaptability results in increased engagement and the generation of larger, more inclusive datasets, ultimately enhancing the precision and dependability of your research findings

• Data Analysis Demystified

Forget wrestling with spreadsheets! Numerous no-cost online platforms provide integrated data analysis tools that present results in clear and easily understandable formats. This streamlines the task of identifying trends, drawing conclusions, and conveying insights to stakeholders, ensuring accessibility even for individuals with limited statistical expertise.

• Prototyping Playground

Free online surveys offer a low-risk testing ground for your research instruments. Experiment with different question formats, layouts, and distribution channels before investing in paid platforms. This allows you to refine your approach, minimize errors, and maximize the effectiveness of your future research efforts.

• Feedback Fiesta

Even basic free surveys can unleash a valuable feedback loop. Accumulate valuable insights regarding customer satisfaction, product preferences, campaign effectiveness, and various other aspects. Utilize this data to strengthen your offerings, personalize your messaging, and ultimately foster more robust connections with your audience.

Best Practices for Creating a Free Survey 

Creating effective surveys requires adherence to certain best practices to ensure accurate and actionable results. Here are some of the best practices for using a free online survey generator:

1. Define clear objectives: Determine the specific insights you want from respondents. This clarity guides the design of your survey questions and helps you avoid ambiguity.
2. Keep it concise: Respect your respondents’ time by keeping the survey concise. Long and complex surveys can lead to respondent fatigue and incomplete answers. Focus on essential questions that directly contribute to your objectives.
3. Use clear language: Avoid jargon, technical terms, or overly complex wording that might confuse respondents. The goal is to ensure everyone understands the questions the same way.
4. Variety of question types: Incorporate a variety of question types to gather diverse data. Use multiple choice, rating scales, open-ended questions, and more. This mix lets you capture quantitative and qualitative insights, providing a well-rounded perspective.
5. Logical flow: Start with easy, introductory questions to engage respondents before moving on to more complex ones. Use skip logic or branching to tailor the survey experience based on previous answers, ensuring relevance.
6. Pilot testing: Conduct a pilot test with a small group of individuals before distributing your survey. This helps identify any unclear questions, technical issues, or potential improvements. Then adjust the survey based on feedback.
7. Mobile-friendly design: Many respondents will complete surveys on mobile devices. Ensure your survey is mobile-friendly with a responsive design that adapts to various screen sizes.
8. Privacy and anonymity: Communicate how you will use respondents’ data and ensure their privacy. If possible, offer the option for respondents to complete the survey anonymously. This can lead to more honest responses.

FAQs

How to create a free survey for your business?

To craft a free business survey:

1. Choose a platform like Google Forms.
2. Define survey goals and questions.
3. Organize questions logically.
4. Keep language clear and concise.
5. Test the survey before sharing.
6. Analyze collected data for insights.

How can I create a free survey using online platforms?

You can create a free survey using online platforms by selecting a suitable survey tool, such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform. Sign up for an account, choose a template or start from scratch, add your questions, customize settings, and share the survey link with your target audience.

What is the best survey method?

The best survey method depends on the survey’s purpose and target audience. Online surveys are cost-effective and easy to distribute, while phone surveys allow for more in-depth responses. Face-to-face surveys are useful when collecting feedback from specific groups or individuals.

Wrap Up

Survey creation, once an enigma, is now unraveled.

“How to create a free survey” is your ticket to uncovering valuable insights without draining resources. Platforms like Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, and others offer the magic of inquiry without breaking the bank.

With clear objectives and concise questions, your survey becomes a voyage into understanding. The fusion of question types creates a symphony of quantitative and qualitative data. Guided by logical flow, your survey dances through minds, making sense and sparking revelations.

Remember, neutrality reigns steer clear of leading questions.

Before unveiling your masterpiece, pilot it to perfection. Once responses flow, transform them into actionable insights with ChartExpo.

ChartExpo’s power of visualization elevates your survey experience to new heights. It springs data to life with vibrant visualizations, breathing life into responses and revealing hidden patterns.

It’s not just about creating surveys. It’s about crafting narratives, uncovering truths, and sculpting a better future through the art of data.

Get started with ChartExpo today and watch your insights shine.