Webmasters have access to free tools such as Google’s Analytics that will provide them with detailed information on the number of website visitors, what pages have been accessed and the length of time visitors have spent accessing the website.
However, despite the considerable data available what is missing is anything to tell the webmaster what the visitor was thinking. Did they dislike the site? Was the layout easy to understand or confusing? Did they find it easy to navigate and maybe the most important thing, did they find the information they wanted?
A website may be generating sales but why are there some people that are visiting the website and not buying anything? Was it because they didn’t like what was being offered or they couldn’t find what they wanted?
Using web based surveys webmasters have a simple and accurate method of answering these types of questions. Direct feedback from the website visitors means that there is no longer the need to guess, just ask the visitors how they found the site and if they found what they were looking for.
With an online survey webmasters can find out:-
- How often do people visit the website?
- How did they arrive at the website?
- Is it for business or pleasure that they are interested in the website?
- Were they able to find the information they were looking for?
- How easy was it for them to navigate the website?
- Would they recommend the website to their friends and/or colleagues?
A good website survey will be brief and will gather information that once analysed will provide valuable information to help improve the website.
Another alternative to a traditional survey is to embed one or two survey questions within the website after specific procedures. One example would be to ask visitors at the end of the registration process if they found the procedure quick and easy; another example would be after ordering an item the customer could be asked if they found the ordering procedure and payment methods to their liking. To avoid regular visitors from being asked every time they visit, the website can be configured so that they are only asked once.
Website surveys take the mystery out of working out what visitors think of a website and using Online Survey Software they are quick and easy to design and once implemented will really become the webmaster’s assistant.
To see a sample website survey please follow the link: Sample Website Survey
About Ben Janke