7 tips to maximize your survey response rate

A survey is only as good as its responses. Here are 7 concrete techniques to maximize your participation rate.

1. Keep it short

A 5 to 10 question survey gets on average 2x more responses than a 20-question survey. Get to the point and only ask questions you truly need.

2. Nail the first question

The first question should be simple and engaging. Avoid starting with demographics — ask a substantive question that demonstrates the survey's value.

3. Choose the right timing

In B2B, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings work best. In B2C, evenings and weekends are preferable. Test different times to find your optimal window.

4. Personalize the invitation

A personalized email with the recipient's first name gets up to 30% more responses. With Quervey, invitation codes allow you to track each respondent individually.

5. Optimize for mobile

Over 60% of surveys are now completed on smartphones. Make sure your survey is perfectly readable and usable on small screens.

6. Send reminders

A reminder sent 3 to 5 days after the initial invitation can increase your response rate by 20 to 40%. Don't send more than two reminders.

7. Share the results

Announce from the invitation that you'll share the results. People are more inclined to respond when they know they'll see the collective outcome. Quervey makes this easy with its results sharing links.