Text (SMS) Survey

An SMS survey uses text messages to invite participants or collect answers. Some services collect answers through text-message replies. SurveyLegend uses a different approach: you share a link to a web survey through a separate SMS service.

Participants open the survey link in their browser and need an internet connection to answer the questions and submit the form. Receiving the SMS invitation does not mean that the survey itself can be completed without internet access.

The types of Text Surveys are listed below.

• Simple Polls: The surveys consist of a single question with possible answers, allowing users to quickly respond with a simple “yes” or “no” or a multiple-choice option. The types of surveys are found in polling apps or marketing campaigns.
• Multi-Question Surveys: The surveys contain multiple questions, with a mix of question formats (multiple choice, rating scales, or open-ended questions), allowing for more detailed feedback from users.
• Link-Based Surveys: The surveys send users a link to an external survey form, hosted on a website or survey platform, with a more extensive set of questions that are answered in a more detailed manner.

To send a Survey via Text, follow the ten steps listed below.

1. Choose an SMS survey platform. Select a reliable SMS survey platform that offers features (customization, automated reminders, and analytics). Platforms (Google Forms) integrate with SMS services to streamline the process for mass SMS.
2. Write concise questions. Create clear, short, and direct questions to ensure participants understand and respond quickly. Avoid complicated wording and aim for questions that are answered in a few words.
3. Obtain consent from recipients. Ensure all participants have agreed to receive surveys via text by including an opt-in option. It complies with data privacy regulations and ensures respondents are willing to participate.
4. Prepare the survey. Use the platform’s bulk messaging or send mass SMS feature to distribute the survey to a broad audience. It enables businesses to quickly send the study to multiple recipients at once, ensuring efficient distribution.
5. Personalize the message. Customize the greeting or introduction in the message to make it more engaging and relevant to the recipient. Personalization increases response rates by making the survey feel more custom.
6. Test the survey. Run a small test to check if the survey works as expected on different devices and with other network providers. It helps to identify and fix any potential issues before sending it to a larger audience.
7. Set a reminder schedule. Arrange automatic reminders to be sent to recipients who have not responded within a specific timeframe. It ensures higher participation rates by prompting users who have forgotten.
8. Track responses. Monitor the responses as they come in to analyze trends and adjust if needed. The survey platform provides real-time data on reactions, allowing for quick analysis.
9. Analyze results. Review the collected data to identify patterns or insights that inform business decisions. Summarize the findings in reports that were shared with stakeholders.
10. Set Up a Survey. Finalize and distribute the results or use them to inform strategies moving forward, once the survey is complete. The process to set up a survey is repeated regularly to gather continuous feedback, ensuring ongoing insights and improvement.

The advantages of SMS Text Surveys are listed below.

• High Response Rate: SMS text surveys tend to have higher response rates compared to email or online surveys. The chances of reaching participants are much greater, since participants have access to a mobile phone. SMS messages are read within minutes of receipt, prompting quicker responses.
• Instant Feedback: SMS surveys provide real-time responses, enabling businesses to gain immediate insights. The immediacy is beneficial for businesses that need quick customer feedback. It allows companies to address issues or make improvements without delay.
• Wide Reach: SMS lets you send survey invitations to the mobile numbers in your contact list. For a SurveyLegend survey, participants still need internet access to open the linked questionnaire and submit answers.
• Cost-Effective: Sending SMS surveys is more affordable than traditional marketing methods. There are no printing or postage costs involved, making it a budget-friendly option. Mass SMS services offer competitive pricing for bulk messages.
• Easy to Use: Participants tap the link in the SMS invitation and answer the questions in their browser. Keep the web form easy to read and complete on a phone.
• Higher Engagement: SMS surveys lead to higher engagement because text messages are personal and direct. Participants tend to scan their texts, making them respond. The direct approach improves participation and the quality of feedback.
• Internet Access: Receiving an SMS invitation does not require mobile data, but completing a SurveyLegend web survey does require an internet connection.
• Reminders: Manage any reminder messages in your separate SMS service, according to the features it provides.
• Anonymity: SMS surveys provide a level of anonymity, encouraging honest feedback from customers. Participants share their opinions freely without the fear of judgment. It led to more accurate and genuine responses.
• Distribution Setup: Copy the SurveyLegend survey link into your SMS service. Any connection to a CRM or messaging automation system depends on the separate services and setup you use.

To conduct an Effective SMS Survey, follow the ten steps listed below.

1. Choose a Reliable SMS Platform. Select an SMS survey platform that offers user-friendly features, automated reminders, and real-time analytics. Ensure the platform integrates easily with the existing systems for data collection.
2. Define the Objectives. Clearly outline the purpose of the survey, whether it is to measure customer satisfaction, gather product feedback, or assess event responses. Establish what information they want to collect from participants.
3. Write Clear and Concise Questions. Keep the questions short and easy to understand. Avoid complex language and ensure each question is focused on one specific aspect to avoid confusion.
4. Personalize the Message. Customize the greeting or introduction to make the survey feel personal. Include the recipient’s name or other relevant details to increase engagement.
5. Offer Incentives. Provide small rewards or incentives to encourage higher participation. It includes discounts, access to exclusive content, or entry into a prize draw.
6. Send Test Messages: Test the survey with a small group before sending it out to the entire audience. Ensure that the questions display correctly, and the survey flow works as expected.
7. Schedule the Survey. Choose the optimal time to send the survey, ensuring that it reaches the target audience when they respond. Avoid sending surveys in late hours or peak working times.
8. Monitor Responses. Track responses in real-time as they come in. Use the analytics tools provided by the SMS platform to monitor response rates and gather insights promptly.
9. Send Reminders. Start automated reminders for participants who have not responded within a specified time frame. It ensures that more participants complete the survey, improving the quality of the data.
10. Analyze and Act on Feedback. Review the responses to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement after collecting the data. Use the feedback to inform business decisions and improve customer experiences.