Key To Boosting Survey Response Rates

If you’re wondering why your survey response rates are so low, put yourself in the shoes of a potential respondent.

Most people aren’t willing to take valuable time out of their day to fill out yet another survey—if not provided with a proper incentive of course. 

You could spend hours designing the perfect questions, analyzing data, and sending out the survey at the ideal time—just to see that disappointing number on your screen.

The reality is, no matter how well you craft your survey, without the right strategy to encourage participation, response rates will remain low.

In this article, we’ll dive into the strategies and incentives that can boost your survey response rates, helping you get the feedback you need without wasting time and resources.

What Is A Good Survey Response Rate?

Determining what constitutes a “good” survey response rate depends on several factors, including the type of survey, its length, the topic being covered, and the method of distribution. Let’s break it down:

Types of Surveys:

1. Internal Surveys:
   
   These are conducted within an organization, targeting employees or teams to gather feedback on processes, job satisfaction, or workplace culture.
   
   Response rates for internal surveys tend to be higher, hovering at around 40%, as employees are more likely to feel invested in contributing to company improvements.
   
   
2. External Surveys:
   
   These are aimed at people outside the organization, such as customers or the general public. External surveys often see lower response rates—anywhere between 10-20%, depending on the audience’s relationship with your brand.
   
   When it comes to external surveys, how much the audience cares about the subject can significantly affect these numbers.

For both types of surveys, shorter surveys with clear incentives and well-targeted questions generally lead to higher response rates. And email surveys generally yield lower response rates compared to surveys conducted in person.

Keep in mind that industry standards can vary, so comparing your response rates to others in your field can provide more context on what is “good” for your situation.

However, based on general statistics, a response rate above 25% is typically seen as acceptable.

Are you hitting these numbers? If not, it may be time to rethink your approach and explore strategies to boost participation.

How To Increase Response Rates For Surveys

Well, we’ve already established that incentives are the way to go. But how do you know which incentive to give to your respondents, especially in external surveys where you have no idea what their preferences are?

Toasty provides a simple solution to this. With Toasty, your company can increase participation by allowing respondents to select the gift card that appeals to them most, ensuring higher engagement rates.

Steps:

1. Organize a list of the respondents’ emails.
2. Upload them to the Toasty portal.
3. Select the Toasty Choice Card and personalize it with your company branding and message.
4. Each recipient will get a redemption link that lets them choose from hundreds of brands!

But beyond just the incentive, there are other strategies to increase survey response rates:

Optimize Your Timing

Timing plays a crucial role in survey response rates. Sending a survey at the wrong time—whether it’s during a holiday season or at the end of the workday—can greatly reduce your response rate.

Research the best times to send your surveys depending on your target audience. For example, early in the morning or early afternoon on a weekday might work best for employees, while customers might respond better over the weekend.

Keep It Short and Simple

No one likes a long, tedious survey. Keep your questions clear, concise, and relevant. The fewer the questions, the better. If respondents see that your survey will only take a few minutes, they’re much more likely to complete it.

Send Reminders

Sometimes, respondents need a little nudge. Sending gentle reminders can help boost your response rate, especially if the survey is short and the incentive is clearly communicated.

Be sure not to bombard your audience with too many reminders, though—timing is everything.

Highlight The Value

People want to know why their feedback matters. Be upfront about how their responses will contribute to improving products, services, or their work environment.

When respondents feel their input is valued and will lead to positive change, they’re more likely to take the time to fill out the survey.

Final Takeaways On Increasing The
Response Rate On Surveys

Getting a high response rate from your surveys isn’t easy, but with the right approach, it’s absolutely achievable.

Every completed survey is a golden opportunity to dive deeper into the minds of your audience—whether they are employees or customers. These insights can empower you to make informed decisions that lead to meaningful improvements and positive outcomes. 

Ready to start sending meaningful incentives to maximize your survey response rates? With no fees, subscriptions, or minimums, Toasty makes it easy to offer flexible, personalized incentives that your respondents will appreciate.

By leveraging innovative digital gift card platforms like Toasty, timing your survey distribution strategically, and crafting surveys that are both concise and engaging, you can significantly enhance participation.