- Ruth Kogan
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Create a form in minutes with Wixel’s online form builder →
Creating a survey can help you validate product ideas measure customer satisfaction, or simply get a pulse on your market without relying on guesswork. Getting direct feedback is the most effective way to understand what your audience needs before you invest time and money into a new project or marketing strategy.
This guide walks you through the entire process, from setting clear objectives for your survey to analyzing the data you collect. You'll learn how to craft questions that encourage people to respond honestly and how to turn those responses into actionable business improvements.
TL;DR: How to make a survey in 6 steps
Creating a survey doesn't need to be complicated. Here's the quick version of the steps you need to follow to gather meaningful data for your goals.
Step | Action | Why it matters |
| Decide exactly what you want to learn. | Keeps your survey focused and short. |
| Pick a tool like Wixel's form builder. | Creates a professional look and ease of use. |
| Draft clear, unbiased questions. | Prevents confusion and leads to accurate data. |
| Apply branding and question flow. | Improves the user experience and completion rates. |
| Share via email, social, or website. | Gets your survey in front of the right people. |
| Review data to find patterns. | Turns raw numbers into actionable business decisions. |
How to make a survey in 6 steps
Building a survey is about more than just typing out a list of questions, it's about designing a conversation that scales. Follow these six steps to help you gather high-quality insights from your audience.
01. Define your specific goals
Before you write a single question, you need to know exactly why you're asking it. A vague purpose leads to a wandering survey that frustrates respondents and gives you muddy data.
You should be able to state your goal in one sentence, such as:
I want to know why customers abandon their cart at checkout
I need to choose between three potential logo designs.
Once you have a clear objective, every question you include must directly support it. If a question doesn't help you answer your main goal, cut it out. Keeping your focus tight respects your audience's time and makes sure the data you get is actually useful for making the decisions you need to make.
02. Choose a professional survey builder
The tool you use dictates how easy the process will be for you and your respondents. You need to choose from one of the best form builders out there, one that offers flexibility and strong data analysis features.
Wixel's form builder is an excellent choice here because it serves as an AI-powered, all-in-one solution that helps you turn these goals into professional-quality assets quickly.
Using a dedicated survey builder like Wixel handles the heavy lifting of your graphic design, ensuring your survey looks great on any device without you needing to have design expertise.
Learn more: How to make an online form
03. Write clear and neutral questions
The way you phrase a question can accidentally bias the answer, so you must be careful with your wording. Avoid leading questions that nudge the reader toward a specific answer, like "How much did you love our amazing new feature?" Instead, use neutral language such as "How would you rate your experience with the new feature?"
You should also aim for simplicity in your questions by avoiding jargon or complex sentence structures. Mix up your question types by using multiple-choice for easy analysis and open-ended text fields for deeper context. However, try to limit open-ended questions as they require more effort from the respondent and can lower survey completion rates.
For this part you can be inspired by how to make a questionnaire, which as a data collection process, demands high quality, neutral questions.
04. Design the flow and look
Your survey is an extension of your brand, so it should look like it belongs to you. Add your logo, use your brand colors and choose fonts that match your other communications. A consistent visual identity and form design builds trust and makes respondents feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
These survey ideas and examples should help you get started.
Beyond visuals, think about the logical flow of the conversation. Start with easy, low-stakes questions to warm them up before moving to more complex or personal inquiries. Group related topics together so the respondent doesn't have to mentally jump back and forth between different subjects.
Different types of forms need varying types of design and surveys are no different.
05. Distribute your survey strategically
Even the best survey is useless if nobody sees it. You need to send it to the audience that's most relevant to your goals. If you're asking about post-purchase satisfaction, an automated email sent immediately after a transaction works best. For general market research, sharing it on social media channels might reach a broader group.
You can also embed the survey directly onto your website or landing page or like when building a poll, on social media. This captures visitors while they're already engaging with your content. The goal is to meet your audience where they are, making it as convenient as possible for them to provide feedback.
06. Analyze and act on the data
Collecting the answers is only half the battle now you need to understand what they mean. Look for trends and commonalities in the responses rather than focusing on every single outlier. Most survey tools will visualize this data for you, showing pie charts or bar graphs that make patterns easy to spot.
Once you've identified the core insights, create an action plan. If 70% of respondents say your shipping costs are too high, your next move is to investigate alternative logistics providers. Data without action is just trivia, so use these findings to make tangible improvements to your business or creative projects.
Be inspired by these poll ideas too.
How to make a survey FAQ
What's the ideal length for a survey?
The shorter your survey, the better the completion rate. For most standard feedback surveys, aim for 5 to 10 questions that take less than five minutes to complete. If you need to ask more, consider offering an incentive or explicitly stating upfront how long it will take so respondents know what to expect.
How to get more people to respond to a survey?
Incentives are a powerful motivator. Offering a small discount code, a chance to win a gift card or access to exclusive content can significantly boost your response rates. Additionally, sending the survey at the right time—like midweek mornings—and keeping your email subject lines engaging can improve open rates.
Should a survey be anonymous?
It depends on your goal. If you want honest feedback about sensitive topics or internal company culture, anonymity often means more truthful answers. However, if you need to follow up with customers about specific issues or want to enter them into a giveaway, you'll need to capture their contact information.
