Beyond monkey business — a variety of agile survey tools take on SurveyMonkey
For meeting and event planners in search of an online survey platform to engage with attendees and potential attendees, the digital world overflows with options, for the seemingly simple task of crafting a poll. SurveyMonkey, the 800-pound gorilla of the industry, has long been the go-to for crafting questionnaires. But a challenger emerges from every click-through, and SurveyMonkey faces a growing jungle of competitors.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, planners, researchers and marketers need agile tools that can keep up with the ever-evolving data landscape. Here’s why the established player might be feeling the heat, and who the new contenders are in the survey game.
Pay to Play or Free Ride?
Most platforms use the freemium template, a pricing model that combines free and premium features. It’s commonly used in software and online services. Here’s a breakdown:
Free Tier: This tier offers basic features and functionalities that allow users to try the product or service for free. It’s a way to entice users and showcase the product’s value.
Premium Tier: This tier unlocks additional features, increased functionality, storage space, or other benefits. Users who find the free tier valuable and want more advanced functionalities are likely to upgrade to the premium tier.
Free Options
For the cash-strapped meeting or event planner, free options abound.
Google Forms, the ubiquitous Google child, offers a user-friendly interface for basic surveys, keeping data neatly within the Google ecosystem, seamlessly integrating with the Google ecosystem for those already neck-deep in Gmail and Docs.
But for a more engaging experience, Typeform takes the crown. The platform sacrifices some features for a visually stunning and engaging format, making even the dullest survey feel like a conversation. Their free plan (with limitations) boasts conversational surveys that feel more like a chat than a chore.
Zoho Survey rounds out the free tier trio, catering to scrappy startups, non-profits and smaller projects with its no-frills functionality.
Paid Platforms
But for those seeking a more robust experience, a plethora feature-packed powerhouse, paid alternatives abound.
QuestionPro positions itself as the “complete research suite” with advanced features like question branching and data analysis that would make any data scientist swoon.
Qualtrics XM, on the other hand, positions itself as the enterprise-grade option, ideal ideal for complex research projects and handling massive datasets.
JotForm takes a different approach, offering a buffet of form and survey options, – a one-stop shop ensuring there’s a tool for every data-gathering need.
SurveySparrow, meanwhile, focuses on keeping respondents engaged with multimedia integration and even chatbots, perfect for capturing feedback from a younger, more digital-native demographic.
Choosing the right competitor depends on the task at hand. Budget is a looming factor, with free options ideal for basic needs while paid plans offer more muscle. But it’s not just about features. Understanding your target audience is key – Typeform might charm a younger demographic, while Qualtrics caters to the research wonks. Integration with existing tools can streamline workflows, and reliable customer support is a must-have for any technical hiccups.
The survey landscape is a teeming jungle, with SurveyMonkey still a formidable presence. But for the discerning researcher, a plethora of competitors awaits, each offering its own unique set of features and functionalities. So, the next time you have a burning question for your audience, ditch the outdated tools and explore the options. There’s a perfect fit waiting to be discovered in the digital jungle, ready to supercharge your data collection and fuel smarter business decisions.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo by: Unsplash+ In collaboration with Getty Images
