Tips in Creating Better Mobile Friendly Surveys
Smartphones have become an essential part of people’s lives. In fact, it tops History Channel’s list of 101 All Time Greatest Gadgets. Why wouldn’t it? After all, your smartphone is essentially an all-in-one device. From navigation, sending e-mails, and video chatting, smartphones can do it all.
With this in mind, utilize this device by sending out customer surveys your customers can answer both on desktop and on mobile. There’s a difference between a mobile survey and a desktop one; some features may not be as clear on mobile as on your computer. On that note, here are some tips in creating a better mobile friendly device for your audience.
Consider the Screen Size
Different brands have different screen sizes and different resolutions. Also, take note that users don’t like surveys where they will need to scroll left or right just to be able to see the whole survey. You must also think of the font size as mobile devices tend to automatically shrink the font size to fit the screen. You must make sure it will keep to a readable size when the survey is opened in mobile. Make a survey that can automatically adjust to whatever screen size it will be answered on to ensure answerability.
Think of the Length
Some of your respondents are very busy people, but these are the people that might be able to give the data that you need to improve your website and brand. This is why more and more are turning to mobile surveys. Remember to keep it short, simple, and direct to the point. Make it no more than two pages. If it’s too long, you risk losing data that can come from professionals or students who are always on-the-go.
Lessen the Media Usage
One of the reasons why some webpages take so long to load is because of the multimedia embedded on these pages. Remember most of your respondents won’t be using the Wi-Fi but rather their mobile data. This can be relatively slower than your average Wi-Fi connection and it can take a while for the webpage or survey to load. Skip the images. Skip the videos. If you are to include images, make the image size small in order for the device to load it faster and display it better.
Choose your Question Type Carefully
You might be thinking the type of questionnaire does not matter when it truth, it does—big time. Not all questionnaires are apt for mobile surveys as some can make the answering experience harder or easier.
Matrix questionnaires are problematic because there is a high probability your respondent needs to scroll from side to side just to answer it; and as mentioned earlier, it can be infuriating. But if you are determined to have a matrix questionnaire, use a multiple choice format. Try to avoid using open-ended questions where your respondents will need to type their answers because it’s a bit difficult to do when you’re only given a small screen to give a long answer. If you really need to ask open-ended questions, make sure it’s just one or two questions.
Always keep in mind that a mobile survey is different from your usual survey in more ways than one. Remember, the screen is smaller and so is the resolution. Time is the element you must consider when it comes to creating your surveys—or the people’s lack of it. If you yourself cannot answer the survey on your phone, then go back to the drawing board and edit it to make it better.
