The Web Survey Versus The Telephone Survey

Once a company has established that it needs to utilize a survey software solution; the methodology of the survey must be determined. This can include establishing informational goals of the survey, how administrators will use, or apply the information to your organization; and defining the target audience.Surveying by telephone is recommended when your target audience consists of the general population; and you require the opportunity to prompt respondents for clarification and expansion on their answers. The possible survey reach of a telephone survey is enormous. Statistic show that 96% of homes in the United States, have a telephone; making it the ideal medium for contact with the general population. Telephone surveys allow for rapid contact with respondents, especially when integrated with the use of a computer-assisted telephone interviewing system.

In addition, interviewers can elicit more complete and substantive answers from respondents; as well as ask for clarification and elaboration concerning responses. Regrettably, phone surveying is more expensive than a web survey, and the typical calling window of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., often interrupts a respondent’s limited personal time; resulting in higher call screening, and a lower respondent contact rate.Web Surveys are rapidly gaining in popularity. Managers and administrators can appreciate a web survey’s ability to collect relevant data; while targeting focused segments of the Internet user population. Furthermore, the market reach of a Web survey is closing on telephone surveys (96% of homes), with an increase of nearly 10%; to 75% of all U.S. homes having Internet access.The advantages of a Web survey include:A Web survey posted on a popular Web page, can collect thousands of responses in just a few hours.

Further, once the setup is completed, there is virtually no cost associated with maintaining a web survey. Therefore, data collected from both large and small surveys; cost the same to process. In addition, Web surveys are a viable option if you want to target a specific participant; such as other businesses in your industry or conduct an internal employee or customer satisfaction survey.On the downside, Web surveys typically do not reflect the opinions of the general population. As well, survey respondent completion rates are lower for longer surveys, and random respondents outside of your target audience may reply; if the survey appears on a popular Web page, accessible by everyone. Regardless, a Web survey can target a specific Internet user population, keep operating and maintenance costs low; and analyze collected data efficiently.