To choose the most suited type of survey for your project, you can consider the audience and goal of your survey. There are several types of survey methods you can choose from, including:

Online surveys

Online surveys are one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to gather large amounts of survey data. This approach relies on customizable software that lets you create and send a survey to participants. Many companies use third-party survey websites and incentivize participation. Survey software also enables you to target the desired market segment, so the information you receive is relevant to the business.

The advantages of online surveys are their wide reach, reduced bias, and ease of participation. Most consumers have access to the internet, and answering quick surveys can help people feel heard. The disadvantages of this survey method may include issues with participants rushing through the survey and not giving it due consideration. Online surveys
are a suitable approach when you seek large amounts of information.

Mail-in surveys

Mail-in surveys are hard copies of a survey that are sent in the mail. Recipients may have a higher likelihood of participation as you address the survey directly to them. This may also be beneficial for participants without internet access or for people who are more comfortable
with traditional forms of correspondence.

Phone surveys

Phone surveys require you to make calls and gather information conversationally. Some depend on automated functions, like relying on software to randomize the phone numbers to call. Other technology used in this survey method includes systems that allow survey participants to choose from a set of answers, either vocally or through touch-tone.

Other types of phone surveys are more personal, where you contact people on a list to complete customer satisfaction surveys. This approach takes more time, but has the benefit of targeting participants and interacting with them. If you aim to better understand staff or customers, you can use a phone survey to gain answers.

Panel sampling

Panel sampling is when researchers choose a set of participants from a pre-determined panel. Because the panel comprises people who are willing to participate in surveys, you are more likely to get high participation rates. When panel participants sign up, they provide personal information. You can use these details to target participants who are part of your target market.

This approach benefits businesses over the long term, as it allows researchers to track perception over a longer period and reduces the chance of situational bias. While it costs more to use this type of survey method, it offers high-quality data that some other approaches can’t achieve.

Focus groups

Using focus groups to complete a survey involves interacting with a small group of participants who exemplify a target audience. A researcher guides the group through a conversation focused on a specific topic. This approach helps participants speak honestly and freely. Focus groups are helpful when researchers want conversations to progress naturally and when in-person conversation is most suitable for the subject or participants.

Focus groups are a high-cost survey method, requiring advanced research, significant time and effort, and usually a reward for participants. Because of this, a focus group is often a supplementary survey method. After you gather data from other surveys, you can use it to structure the focus group and target people who are especially relevant.

Personal interviews

Personal interviews involve surveying participants in a one-on-one setting. This approach allows the researcher to gather more individualized data. You can use this survey method when you have a specific question that requires a detailed answer. Typically, researchers
choose personal interview participants after other survey methods.

Personal interviews allow the researcher to get answers from the target demographic and customize the survey based on the interviewee. When conversing with the interview participant, the researcher can change
the direction of conversation more easily than with other survey methods.