Our members often ask us how online surveys became a thing. He wonders why companies are willing to pay for feedback. We love answering questions that matter to our members, so get the scoop here.
Companies demand feedback!
Did you know that companies really value our opinion? They are in the business of problem-solving. In order to sell, their products must solve a problem for their customers. Think about the things we all buy and think about the problems those items solve. This list could go on forever, but what makes it stand out is that everything we buy is for a purpose. We look for things that make our lives better and easier.
Companies want information about our buying habits. Surveys help customers answer companies' questions about purchases. These questionnaires help brands better identify the target audience to attract advertising. Our opinion makes up the marketing campaign.
Feedback is extremely valuable to the company. So they use surveys to capture those opinions and learn from them.
Survey has started before the internet
Long before the advent of the Internet, companies used other methods to collect consumer information. Questionnaires often came in the mail for consumers to fill out and get a refund. Some companies bring together focus groups, coming together in different places and answering different questions. Sometimes, telephone agents would call and ask the opinion of the people in the household.
The Downfall of the Non-Digital Survey Method
These earlier data collection methods worked, but they were time-consuming and expensive. Companies spend a lot of money on postage for their mailed surveys. He paid people to meet for a focus group.
And once they got the information, they had to spend time aggregating all the data into a usable form. He had to read handwriting which was not easy to understand. Plus, all those papers also contain an incredible amount of waste. Although companies may recycle it, consumers often treat surveys as junk mail and send them directly to the trash.
Telephone surveys were also not as effective as desired. The people answering the phone often mistakenly assumed that the person wanted to sell them something, and stopped before giving the information.
This decline meant that companies were ready to do something different. They wanted to facilitate their data collection mission.
Hello Digital Survey!
As the Internet begins its journey in popularity and reach, companies begin to rejoice! He realized that in a digital survey:
did not generate garbage
Reduce the cost of collecting feedback
Verification was very easy
Provided information similar to the more traditional method
That's what they were looking for. Companies can reach a larger audience through digital surveys. The cost of printing and postage did not limit them.
Online surveys spread rapidly
After the initial testing of the digital survey ended, more companies jumped on the bandwagon. He practically started creating surveys to gather opinions.
As consumers were overwhelmed by the unintentional surveys being carried in their inboxes, companies had to find ways to improve response rates.
Survey sites were born, helping companies match customers with customers who wanted to share their opinions. Rewards have started pouring in as a way of thanking the consumer for completing the survey.
And the rest, history!
iRazoo offers digital surveys
Have we answered all your burning questions about the history of online surveys? we hope so!
If you are looking for a great survey site to try, we would like you to join us. iRazoo offers a lot more than just surveys, so sign up for a free account today and start earning!
