12 Best Survey Tools for Small Business

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Small businesses know that gathering customer feedback is essential to their success. But how do you collect this data? Sending out surveys is one of the easiest and most effective ways to gather customer insights, and the right survey tool can make all the difference. It can help you create and distribute surveys, analyze responses, and present them visually so you can make informed business decisions. In this guide, we’ll explore the best survey tools for small businesses to help you collect customer feedback and boost your operations.

NoteForms’s Notion forms are among the best survey tools for small businesses because of their ease of use and customization features. With this tool, you can create unlimited surveys for free, and the responses are organized neatly in a Notion database.

Why Survey Tools Are Essential for Small Businesses

Surveys allow small businesses to gather honest feedback from their customers. This feedback helps identify what customers love, dislike, or want improved products or services. For example, a café might use a survey to learn whether patrons prefer an expanded vegan menu or better Wi-Fi.

Enhancing Decision-Making

Small businesses often operate with limited data compared to larger enterprises. Surveys bridge this gap by offering actionable insights informing marketing strategies, product development, or customer service initiatives. Decisions grounded in customer preferences are more likely to yield positive outcomes.

Boosting Customer Engagement

By actively seeking opinions, businesses can show their customers that their voices matter. This can foster a stronger emotional connection with the brand, leading to greater loyalty. Customers who feel valued are likelier to return and advocate for the business.

Cost-Effective Market Research

Traditional market research methods can be expensive and time-consuming. Survey tools offer a more budget-friendly alternative, allowing businesses to create and distribute surveys within minutes. They also eliminate the need to hire external research agencies.

Real-Time Feedback and Analytics

Many modern survey tools provide real-time feedback, enabling businesses to address issues promptly. For example, if a new product launch receives negative reviews via a survey, adjustments can be made swiftly to improve customer satisfaction.

Employee Insights

Surveys aren’t just for customers—they’re also valuable for internal feedback. Small businesses can use employee surveys to gauge morale, understand workplace challenges, and implement initiatives to improve productivity and satisfaction.

Scalability and Versatility

Survey tools cater to diverse needs, from simple customer satisfaction questionnaires to complex market analysis. They can scale with a business’s growth, offering advanced analytics and integration capabilities as operations expand.

Strengthening Brand Perception

When small businesses demonstrate that they act on feedback, their reputation strengthens. Customers and employees see them as adaptive and responsive, enhancing brand perception and trust.

Types of Survey Methods

Market Research Surveys

Survey Automation

What Are Surveys

Conduct Surveys

How to Get People to Take a Survey

What is a Panel Survey

Survey Data Collection

How to Increase Survey Response Rates

The Top 12 Survey Tools for Small Businesses

1. SurveyMonkey: The Go-To Survey Tool for Small Businesses

SurveyMonkey is a household name in the survey tool industry, known for its powerful analytics and versatile features. It allows small businesses to create professional surveys easily, and its AI-powered insights can help analyze responses quickly.

Key Features

Customizable survey templates

Multilingual support for global reach

Advanced analytics and reporting

Easy integration with various CRM and marketing tools

Why it's ideal for small businesses

SurveyMonkey offers a free plan, with additional paid plans unlocking more advanced features like data export options and increased respondent limits, making it accessible and scalable for growing businesses.

2. Google Forms: The Budget-Friendly Survey Solution

Google Forms is a free, no-fuss tool perfect for small businesses just starting. It integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace tools, making it easy to collect and analyze survey data without a steep learning curve.

Key Features

Free to use

Easy-to-share survey links

Google Sheets integration for data analysis

Collaborative form creation in real-time

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Google Forms is an excellent choice for budget-conscious businesses or those that need a quick solution for customer feedback, internal surveys, or event registrations.

3. Typeform: The Survey Tool with Personality

Typeform stands out for its beautifully designed, conversational-style surveys. The platform offers an interactive experience that makes surveys feel more like a dialogue than a questionnaire, which can increase engagement and completion rates.

Key Features

Beautiful, customizable survey designs

Conversational format to enhance user engagement

Conditional logic to tailor questions based on answers

Integrates with popular tools like Zapier, Mailchimp, and Slack

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Typeform’s engaging interface and customizable features make it ideal for businesses looking to collect customer feedback in a way that feels personal and interactive.

4. Zoho Survey: The Affordable Survey Tool for Zoho Users

Zoho Survey is part of the Zoho suite. It offers an affordable survey solution that integrates well with other Zoho business tools. It’s designed for businesses that want a scalable tool that grows with them.

Key Features

Real-time reporting and advanced analytics

Multilingual support for global audiences

Offline data collection options

Easy integrations with Zoho CRM, Google Sheets, and others

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Zoho Survey provides powerful features at an affordable price point, making it ideal for small businesses already using Zoho products or those needing a survey tool with robust reporting features.

5. SurveyGizmo (Alchemer): The Versatile Survey Tool

SurveyGizmo, now rebranded as Alchemer is a feature-rich survey tool that offers a blend of simplicity and advanced capabilities. It’s ideal for businesses looking to create in-depth surveys with complex branching logic and detailed analytics.

Key Features

Advanced branching and piping logic

Custom branding options

Robust reporting and analysis tools

Integrations with various CRM, marketing, and analytics platforms

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Alzheimer’s versatility allows small businesses to use it for simple and complex survey needs. It’s ideal for companies seeking detailed insights and taking action based on the results.

6. JotForm: The User-Friendly Survey Builder

JotForm is a form and survey tool allowing small businesses to create customized surveys easily. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it intuitive, even for those without technical experience.

Key Features

Drag-and-drop form builder

Over 10,000 customizable templates

Conditional logic and payment integration

Detailed reporting and analytics

Why it's ideal for small businesses

JotForm is a great option for businesses that need to quickly create and customize surveys or forms without spending too much time on setup. Its ease of use and vast template library make it particularly helpful for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

7. Microsoft Forms: The Simple Survey Tool for Microsoft Users

Microsoft Forms is another easy-to-use survey tool for small businesses using the Microsoft 365 suite. It offers basic survey features ideal for simple feedback collection and team collaboration.

Key Features

Simple interface for creating surveys and quizzes

Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 tools

Real-time response tracking

Basic analytics and reporting

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Microsoft Forms is ideal for small businesses already utilizing the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers an easy way to gather data without needing a separate survey tool.

8. Formstack: The Versatile Survey Tool

Formstack is a versatile tool for small businesses that collect data through surveys, forms, and workflows. It is designed to streamline business processes, making it ideal for companies looking to automate data collection.

Key Features

Drag-and-drop form builder

Customizable survey templates

Integration with over 50 third-party apps

Advanced data analytics

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Formstack’s robust features and integrations make it an excellent choice for small businesses that need both survey and form solutions to automate processes.

9. QuestionPro: The Professional Survey Tool

QuestionPro is a professional-grade survey tool that offers a free plan and advanced options for businesses that want in-depth market research and data analysis.

Key Features

Survey templates and question banks

Multilingual support and audience segmentation

Advanced reporting and analysis features

Integration with CRM, email, and marketing platforms

Why it's ideal for small businesses

QuestionPro offers accessible and affordable paid plans, allowing small businesses to scale their survey needs as they grow. Its advanced features make it an excellent option for companies looking deeper into customer behavior.

10. SurveyPlanet: The Budget Survey Tool

SurveyPlanet is an intuitive and easy-to-use survey tool perfect for small businesses on a budget. Its free version offers unlimited surveys and responses, making it highly accessible.

Key Features

Unlimited surveys and responses on the free plan

Customizable themes and survey design

Question branching and skip logic

Detailed survey analytics

Why it's ideal for small businesses

SurveyPlanet provides excellent value for small businesses, offering many features for free that other platforms only provide in paid plans. This makes it an excellent choice for startups or companies with limited budgets.

11. SoGoSurvey: The Powerful Survey Tool

SoGoSurvey is a powerful survey tool with advanced capabilities, perfect for small businesses that need to conduct more detailed surveys or handle complex data collection needs.

Key Features

Advanced analytics and reporting tools

Customizable survey templates and design

Multiple question types (e.g., multiple choice, rating scale)

Integration with third-party platforms like CRM tools and analytics

Why it's ideal for small businesses

With its rich features, SoGoSurvey is an excellent choice for businesses looking to create more sophisticated surveys and perform deeper data analysis.

12. Pollfish: The Unique Survey Tool

Pollfish is a unique survey tool that offers businesses access to a global pool of respondents, providing a fresh and reliable way to collect market data.

Key Features

Global audience access for diverse survey responses

Real-time survey results

Advanced targeting options based on demographics and behavior

Fast, actionable insights with minimal setup

Why it's ideal for small businesses

Pollfish is ideal for small businesses that want to conduct market research with real people. Its global reach and data-driven insights help companies to make informed decisions quickly.

Create a Form for Free Today with our Notion Forms Builder

NoteForms's Notion forms builder supercharges Notion by enabling seamless form creation that integrates directly with Notion databases. Our key features include creating forms from existing Notion DBs, storing submissions in Notion DBs, unlimited forms and submissions, full customization (custom domains, design, logic, webhooks), embeddable forms, integrations (email, Zapier, Slack), support for Notion-specific columns (relation, people), writing to page body, and database views as a sub-product.

We cater to Notion power users, SaaS startups, and educators, solving challenges like inefficient data entry, fragmented workflows, and administrative overload. NoteForms streamlines data collection, centralizes management, and simplifies workflows, boosting productivity while cutting costs for Notion enthusiasts. Create a form for free today with our Notion forms builder!

The 12 Best Survey Tools for Small Businesses

1. NoteForms: Supercharge Your Notion Database with Next-Level Forms

NoteForms’s Notion forms builder supercharges Notion by enabling seamless form creation that integrates directly with Notion databases. Our key features include creating forms from existing Notion DBs, storing submissions in Notion DBs, unlimited forms and submissions, full customization (custom domains, design, logic, webhooks), embeddable forms, integrations (email, Zapier, Slack), support for Notion-specific columns (relation, people), writing to page body, and database views as a sub-product.

2. Google Forms: The Best Free Survey Maker

Google Forms is a straightforward and free tool that is perfect for small businesses that are just starting with surveys. Its simple, no-frills design allows businesses to create surveys and share them with customers quickly. The platform offers a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, checkboxes, and short-answer fields. It also integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace tools like Google Sheets, allowing automatic data collection and real-time tracking.

3. Typeform: The Best Survey Tool for Engaging Your Audience

Typeform sets itself apart with its beautifully designed, conversational-style surveys that engage respondents. The platform offers a sleek, user-friendly interface where questions are presented one at a time, making the experience more interactive and less overwhelming. With advanced features like conditional logic, respondents can be directed to specific questions based on their previous answers, ensuring that the survey feels personalized.

4. JotForm: The Best Survey Tool for Customization

JotForm is a powerful survey and form builder that allows businesses to create highly customized surveys using a drag-and-drop builder. The platform offers various templates for customer feedback, order forms, and event registrations. One of JotForm’s standout features is its ability to handle complex forms with conditional logic, customizable workflows, and automated responses.

5. SurveyPlanet: The Best Simple Survey Tool

SurveyPlanet is an intuitive survey tool that small businesses can use while offering various customization options. Users can create surveys with multiple questions, including multiple-choice, short-answer, and Likert scales. One of its unique features is the ability to create custom themes and branding, ensuring that surveys align with the business’s identity.

6. Zoho Survey: The Best Survey Tool for Zoho Users

Zoho Survey is part of the more extensive Zoho suite, making it an excellent choice for businesses using Zoho CRM, Zoho Campaigns, or other Zoho tools. It offers an easy-to-use survey creation platform with customizable templates, question types, and real-time reporting. It also integrates smoothly with other Zoho products, allowing businesses to create automated workflows that leverage survey responses to take action.

7. SoGoSurvey: The Best Tool for In-Depth Surveys

SoGoSurvey is designed for businesses that need more robust survey functionality. It offers advanced features such as custom branding, survey logic, and question branching, allowing businesses to collect more targeted and in-depth data. Additionally, its reporting tools provide robust data analysis, with options to generate detailed reports and export data in various formats.

8. QuestionPro: The Best Comprehensive Survey Solution

QuestionPro offers a full suite of survey and research tools, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking for a comprehensive survey platform. It provides customizable surveys, data analysis tools, reporting capabilities, and advanced features like question skip logic and data piping. Additionally, QuestionPro offers a variety of integrations with tools like Salesforce, Google Sheets, and Mailchimp.

9. Alchemer: The Best Tool for Data Collection and Analysis

Alchemer is a versatile survey platform that offers both ease of use and powerful features. It supports advanced survey logic, customizable survey themes, and branching, allowing businesses to create highly tailored surveys. Additionally, Alchemer provides in-depth data analysis and reporting tools, helping companies interpret survey results and take action.

10. Microsoft Forms: The Best Simple Survey Tool for Microsoft Users

Microsoft Forms is a simple survey tool in the Microsoft 365 suite. It allows businesses to create surveys with various question types, including multiple-choice, text, and rating scales. Its integration with other Microsoft tools, such as Excel, allows users to analyze survey data and collaborate with team members easily.

11. Formstack: The Best Survey Tool for Advanced Workflows

Formstack is a versatile survey tool that allows businesses to create custom forms and surveys with advanced logic. The platform offers conditional workflows, automated email responses, powerful integrations with CRM platforms, payment gateways, and email marketing tools. This makes it ideal for businesses that need to automate their survey collection and integrate feedback with their business systems.

12. SurveySparrow: The Best Tool for Customer Experience Management

SurveySparrow is designed for businesses that need to collect recurring feedback and manage customer experiences over time. Its platform offers various question types, automated follow-up options, and the ability to create multi-channel surveys (web, mobile, email). SurveySparrow’s survey tool includes built-in features like NPS, CSAT, and CES, allowing businesses to gather more detailed customer satisfaction data.

How to Choose the Right Survey Tool for Your Small Business

Budget and Pricing Plans: Finding the Best Deal for Your Business

Cost is often a primary concern when choosing software for small businesses. Fortunately, many survey tools offer free plans or affordable pricing tiers that suit various budgets. However, it's crucial to consider what features are available at each pricing level, as free plans may come with limitations such as restricted question types or fewer responses per survey.

Free vs. Paid Plans

If your business has limited resources, tools like Google Forms, SurveyPlanet, and JotForm offer firm-free plans with robust capabilities. However, tools such as SurveyMonkey and Alchemer provide advanced features in their paid plans, such as in-depth analytics, increased response limits, and white-label branding, which could be helpful as your business grows.

Pricing Structure

Check if the tool offers pay-as-you-go pricing or subscription-based models. A pay-per-survey option may be helpful if you only need occasional surveys. In contrast, a monthly or annual subscription would make sense if you collect feedback frequently.

Ease of Use: Look for User-Friendly Survey Tools

Small businesses typically don’t have dedicated IT or design teams to manage survey creation and analysis. As such, you’ll want a user-friendly tool that doesn’t require technical expertise. Most modern survey tools feature drag-and-drop builders and intuitive interfaces, but some are easier to use.

Simple Interface

Tools like Google Forms, SurveyPlanet, and Microsoft Forms offer basic functionality with no steep learning curve, which is ideal for businesses that need a quick solution without much customization.

Customization Needs

If you need more advanced design and customization features, Typeform and JotForm are known for their aesthetically pleasing interfaces. These allow for more engaging surveys that align with your brand’s style.

Survey Features and Flexibility: Find the Right Tools for Your Business Goals

Every business has different needs, and a good survey tool should allow you to create surveys that reflect your specific goals. Features like question branching, skip logic, and customizable templates can significantly help create a more personalized experience for respondents.

Advanced Features

Survey tools like SurveyMonkey and Alchemer provide extensive features like advanced logic, data analysis tools, and customizable survey templates. These can help businesses that require detailed segmentation and want to gather precise feedback.

Mobile Optimization

Ensure that the survey tool you choose provides mobile-friendly survey designs. Since many users now access surveys via smartphones, mobile optimization is essential for maximizing response rates. SurveyMonkey, Typeform, and QuestionPro offer highly mobile-optimized surveys.

Question Types

Some tools provide a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice, rating scales, and open-ended questions. Tools like JotForm and SoGoSurvey are great if your business needs diverse question options.

Reporting and Analytics Capabilities: Make Sense of Your Data

Analyzing survey responses and extracting meaningful insights is crucial for small businesses using survey data for decision-making. Consider the tool’s reporting and analytics features depending on your business needs.

Real-time Analytics

SurveyGizmo (Alchemer) and Zoho Survey offer robust data analysis and real-time reporting features. These tools can help small businesses visualize data, spot trends, and create actionable insights.

Data Export Options

Ensure that your chosen tool allows you to export data into formats like CSV or Excel for further analysis. Typeform and JotForm both offer robust data export capabilities.

Integration with Other Tools

If your business uses a CRM or other marketing tools, look for survey tools that integrate seamlessly with these platforms. QuestionPro and Zoho Survey offer integrations with popular platforms like Google Sheets, Mailchimp, and Salesforce.

Customer Support and Resources: Find a Survey Tool with Helpful Resources

Good customer support is critical, especially if encountering issues while setting up surveys or analyzing results. Small businesses may need more resources to troubleshoot technical problems independently, so having access to responsive customer support can save you time and frustration.

Customer Support Options

Look for survey tools that offer various support options, including live chat, email support, and an extensive knowledge base. SurveyMonkey and Formstack are known for their responsive customer service teams and live chat support.

Help Resources

Tools like SurveyGizmo and SoGoSurvey provide detailed tutorials, webinars, and community forums to guide users through the survey creation and analysis process. These resources are beneficial for users new to survey tools.

Scalability: Choose a Survey Tool That Can Grow with Your Business

As your business grows, your survey needs will likely evolve. A survey tool that works for your business today may not suit your needs tomorrow. It’s essential to choose a tool that can scale with your company.

Future-Proofing

Tools like SurveyMonkey, Zoho Survey, and Alchemer offer a range of pricing tiers and features that can grow with your business. If you need advanced reporting, integrations, or an increased number of respondents, these tools can meet those needs as your business expands.

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Customer Satisfaction Survey Best Practices

Survey Design Best Practices

Survey Question Types

Survey Data Analysis

Employee Survey Tools

Customer Satisfaction Survey Software

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Survey Tools For Data Collection

Redcap vs Qualtrics

Survey Tools for Research

Create a Form for Free Today with our Notion Forms Builder

Data entry can be a tedious, time-consuming task that nobody wants to do. Yet, it is often a necessary evil that comes with running a business. The more data your company collects, the more you’ll have to enter into your systems. In time, this data can help you make informed decisions and improve your business operations. But first, you have to get past the boring part. The good news is that the best survey tools for small businesses can help you cut down on data entry by streamlining the process of collecting information.

Rather than manually entering survey responses into your databases, these tools automatically organize and store your data. With NoteForms, for example, allows you to create forms that integrate with Notion databases. When someone fills out your form, their responses are automatically stored in your existing database, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

NoteForms streamlines data collection, centralizes management, and simplifies workflows, boosting productivity while cutting costs for Notion enthusiasts. Create a form for free today with our Notion forms builder!