Choosing the Best Survey Method for Your Business: SMS Surveys or Email Surveys?

Have you ever found yourself torn between two options, both with their pros and cons? 

We know that’s how you feel when choosing the best survey method for your business. 

So, how do you choose? It’s a tough decision, and you want to ensure you get it right. 

Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’d learn the benefits and limitations of SMS and email surveys. 

By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

So, sit back, and let’s get started.

What are SMS surveys? 

SMS surveys are a way to gather feedback from a large group of people via SMS. When you send text messages to gather answers to a question(s), that’s an SMS survey in action.

Here’s how it works: 

• You create a set of questions and send them out to a group of people via text message. 
• They receive the message, read the questions, and respond by texting their answers or following a link. 
• The responses are collected and analysed, giving you valuable insights and information.

SMS surveys are convenient for both the sender and the recipient. The sender can reach a large group of people, while the recipient can reply at their convenience. 

Let’s delve deeper into what you benefit from SMS surveys.

See the 10 top SMS survey tools to try right now

What are the benefits of SMS surveys?

SMS surveys are a super handy way to get feedback and information from many people all at once. The best part is that they have many benefits over emails, phone calls or in-person interviews. 

Let’s check out all the benefits of  SMS surveys.

High response rate

When looking at SMS and email surveys, you must consider the response rate. Imagine sending out a survey to a group of 100 people. 

With an SMS survey, you’ll likely get more responses than you would for email, phone calls or in-person interviews. 

It’s like sending a text message to a friend – you’re more likely to reply to a quick text instead of a long phone call.

Convenience for respondents

Though SMS and email surveys are easy to respond to, responding to an SMS survey is more convenient. 

Let’s say you’re out and about and receive an SMS survey. You can complete it right then and there without having to schedule a time to chat on the phone or come into the office. 

It’s like a fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru. You get what you need quickly and easily without leaving your car.

Quick data collection

Speed is key when it comes to SMS surveys. When you send out a survey to people, you start receiving responses almost immediately. 

It’s like baking a cake. Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can get that cake in the oven. Then, start counting down the minutes until it’s ready.

However, SMS surveys are not all cakewalk. They do come with some limitations. 

What are the limitations of SMS surveys?

SMS survey is a popular way to gather quick and direct customer feedback. But like any method, SMS surveys also have their own set of limitations. 

Below are some of the limitations of SMS surveys:

• Limited words: One downside of SMS surveys compared to email surveys is the character limit. Your questions and your customer’s replies must be brief.
• Biased results: Respondents may lie if they feel uncomfortable giving certain answers. Also, those who opt-in to receive SMS surveys are more likely to have a good opinion of your business. In the end, this may lead to biased results.
• Technical limitations: SMS surveys rely on mobile phone networks and devices. Factors such as network outages or phone malfunctions can affect your survey results.

SMS surveys are a convenient and quick way to gather feedback. But you should also consider these limitations when choosing between SMS surveys and Email surveys. 

How do you send an SMS survey?

How to send a survey via SMS

So, let’s learn the best way to send surveys via SMS like a pro. Here’s the step-by-step process:

• Create a survey: First, you’ll want to create your survey and decide what questions to ask. Make sure they’re clear and direct. This way, your respondents can easily understand and answer them. See our list of survey SMS templates.
• Choose a platform: Next, you’ll need to choose an SMS platform that allows you to send SMS surveys. Many options are available, both free and paid, so do your research to find the one that best suits your needs.
• Build your contact list: Once you have your survey and platform set up, it’s time to build your contacts list. Ensure you have their phone numbers and that they’re happy to receive surveys via SMS.
• Send your survey: Finally, it’s time to send your survey. Send it to your entire list of contacts all at once. Or send it to smaller segments to help you better manage your results.
• Wait for responses: After sending your survey, all you have to do is sit back and wait for the responses to roll in. 

Now that you have complete details about SMS surveys, let’s look at the other side of the coin – email surveys.

SMSCountry is the best SMS survey service. Learn more about our SMS services. Get started or schedule a demo.

What are email surveys?

Email surveys are sent and filled out via email. 

You create your survey, write up your questions, and email them to your audience. Your recipient or audience then complete the survey and hit send from their email inbox. 

You’ll receive their responses, and voila! You’ve got some valuable feedback.

What are the advantages of email surveys?

You’d enjoy three major benefits from email surveys.

Flexibility

When comparing SMS surveys and Email surveys, Email surveys are more flexible. You can send them out at any time and from anywhere. 

Plus, reaching a large audience is a breeze with email surveys. And if you need to follow up, sending another survey to check in and gather additional information is easy.

Better survey design 

Emails allow for more customisation and design options for the survey. This includes inputting images, logos, and formatting. They also allow a long character count.

Adding a customised design improves the visual appeal of the survey. This makes your survey more engaging for the recipient.

Easy to analyse data

Emails offer a wider range of customisation and design options for the survey. For example, you can add images, logos, and formatting. 

By using these options, the survey becomes visually appealing and engaging. Ultimately leading to a more positive response from the recipient. 

Also read: What are the best email to SMS providers right now?

What are the limitations of email surveys?

Email surveys are pretty awesome, right? But, like with anything, there are also some limitations to keep in mind. 

Expect to face these challenges with email surveys.

• Low response rates: One of the biggest challenges of email surveys is getting people to fill them out. Your survey can easily get lost or ignored, with many emails flooding your recipients’ inboxes. You may need to follow up with them multiple times. 
• Technical difficulties: Email surveys can run into technical difficulties. For example, broken links or issues with the email client. This can cause frustration for participants and affect the validity of your results. You must test your email survey before sending it.
• Cost factor: Email surveys can be expensive. You need to spend money on email marketing platforms that can handle all your surveys. You may also have to hire a designer to create a professional-looking survey. 

Remember these limitations of email surveys when choosing between SMS surveys and Email surveys.

How to send a survey via email? 

Let’s go over the step-by-step process of sending a survey via email. 

We will also discuss some tips and tricks for making the most of this survey method. 

Here is how to send out a survey email:

• Choose your email platform: To send a survey via email, you’ll first need to choose an email platform. There are many options available. When choosing a platform, consider your needs, budget, and technical knowledge.
• Create your survey: Once you’ve chosen a platform, it’s time to create your survey. You’ll want to think carefully about the questions you want to ask and how you want to present them. Ensure your questions are clear and easy to understand. 
• Import your email list: Now that your survey is ready to go, it’s time to import your email list. Most email platforms will allow you to upload a CSV file. Or copy and paste your list directly into the platform. 
• Send the survey: Craft a clear and compelling email subject line to get people to open your email. In the email body, explain the purpose of the survey and why they need to participate. You would also want to include an incentive to encourage them to complete the survey.
• Analyse the results: Once the respondents have completed the survey, it’s time to analyse the results. Most email platforms send you an easy-to-read report that breaks down the data. 

Now let’s get straight to the meat of the matter. 

Which survey method should you choose? Read on below to find out.

Comparing SMS surveys vs email surveys 

Below is a comparison table of SMS surveys vs email surveys. 

We used the essential criteria in choosing communication channels to evaluate SMS and email surveys.  

Criteria	SMS surveys	Email surveys
Response rates	High	Moderate
Cost	Low	High
Ease of use	High	Moderate
Data accuracy	High	High
Flexibility	Moderate	High

SMS vs email surveys: which will die first? 

SMS and email surveys have strengths and weaknesses, and both play a role in helping you conduct your market research. 

But SMS surveys will stand the test of time.

SMS surveys offer a unique advantage as they have a high response rate. People are more likely to reply to an SMS message than an email. This makes SMS surveys ideal for quick, real-time feedback.

Plus, they’re easy to use and cost-effective, making them a great business option.

We know what you might be thinking – “but what about all the limitations of SMS surveys?” 

Yes, when comparing SMS and Email surveys, SMS surveys have limitations, especially with flexibility and content. 

But that’s one of the things that makes them stand out. You gather the most critical information by keeping things simple and to the point.

SMS surveys are the future of market research. So if you’re looking to choose between SMS and email surveys, give SMS surveys a shot.

See the top bulk SMS service providers to send transactional and promotional SMS. Check out the top OTP service providers to send fast and secure OTPs.

Which survey channel is best for your business?

Deciding between SMS and email surveys for your business can be tough. This is because SMS and email surveys have their unique advantages. 

But don’t worry; we are here to help. Below we discuss some criteria you must consider when choosing between SMS and email surveys. 

Type of business

The type of business you run will play a role in deciding whether SMS or Email surveys are best for you. 

For example, if you operate in the retail industry, SMS surveys are more effective. This is because customers are likely to respond quickly to text messages.

Target audience 

The age, location, and preferences of your target audience will influence whether to go for SMS or Email surveys. 

For example, if you have an older audience, they may prefer SMS surveys as they may be less familiar with emails.

Type of data

The type of data you’re looking to collect will determine whether to go for SMS or email surveys. 

SMS surveys are ideal for quick, real-time feedback, while email surveys are better for in-depth surveys.

Budget

SMS and email surveys are cost-effective, but SMS surveys are cheaper. Consider your budget when choosing a survey channel.

Goals of the survey

Finally, consider your goals for the survey. This is very important when choosing between SMS and email surveys. If you’re looking for quick, real-time feedback, SMS surveys are the way to go. But if you’re looking to gather more detailed information, email surveys are a better fit.

So, choosing between SMS and email surveys depends on each survey project’s specific needs and requirements. But given the high response rate and ease of use, SMS surveys are better than email surveys. 

If you’re looking for a survey method that will give you quick, valuable insights, SMS surveys are worth considering.

Start sending SMS surveys today

SMS and email surveys have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. But SMS surveys offer an immediate way to connect with your target audience. 

If you’re considering using SMS surveys for your business, SMSCountry can help. 

Schedule a free demo to see how easy it is to use this lightning-fast bulk SMS platform. Or sign up now and start sending surveys today. 

Our team is here to help you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Also Read:

SMS Regulations You Must Know to Send SMS in India

SMS Regulations You Must Know to Send SMS in The UK

SMS Regulations You Must Know to Send SMS in the USA