How to Share an Online Survey: 8 Ways That Get More Responses

How to share an online survey

To share an online survey, you send people a link to it, either directly (by email, SMS, WhatsApp or social media), as a QR code they scan, or by embedding the survey on a web page so visitors answer without leaving your site. The best channel is the one your audience already uses: email for customers you know, a website embed for visitors, a QR code for people in a shop or at an event. With the Mailpro™ survey builder you can share an online survey by email, website embed or direct link, and follow every answer in real time.

To go deeper on tools, read our complete guide to online survey software.

Key takeaways

• Every sharing method starts from the same thing: the survey's link. Email, SMS, WhatsApp, social posts and QR codes all carry that link.
• Email works best for known contacts, embedding for website visitors, QR codes for people offline, social media for reach.
• Response rates typically sit between 10% and 30%. A short, relevant survey with a reminder after 4–7 days can do much better.
• Say how long the survey takes, send it soon after the experience you're asking about, and send one reminder to non-responders.

8 ways to share an online survey

These are the eight most common ways to distribute a survey, with what each one is best for.

1. Share a direct survey link

A direct link is the simplest way to share a survey: copy it once and paste it anywhere. Every other method on this list uses it in some way. Use a short, descriptive message with the link, such as "Two minutes to tell us how we did?", rather than the bare URL.

If the survey is internal or confidential, protect the link. Mailpro lets you password-protect a survey and add a CAPTCHA to keep bots out.

2. Send your survey by email

Email is the most reliable way to survey people who already know you, because you can personalize the invitation, see who opened it and remind only those who have not answered. In Mailpro you share your survey through an email campaign: build the email in the editor, insert the survey link or embed it in the message, personalize it and schedule the send.

A good survey invitation email:

• comes from a real person's name, not "noreply";
• has a subject line that names the topic and the time needed, such as "2-minute survey about your last order";
• explains in one or two sentences why the answers matter and what you'll do with them;
• has one large button and no competing links.

When the survey is linked to your contacts, survey responses can be linked to your email list, so you can segment later campaigns by what people answered.

3. Embed the survey on your website

Embedding puts the survey directly on your own page, so visitors respond without leaving your site. Mailpro generates an embed snippet: copy it, paste it into the HTML of your page, and the survey appears in place. You can match its colors, logo and fonts to your site. See how to embed a survey on your website.

Good places for an embedded survey: a help center article ("Was this helpful?"), an order confirmation page, the end of a course, or a dedicated feedback page linked from your footer.

4. Share the survey with a QR code

A QR code turns your survey link into a square that people scan with their phone camera, which makes it the best way to reach people offline. Create the code from your survey link (our guide on how to make a QR code walks through it), then print it where your audience already is:

• table tents and menus in restaurants, receipts at the till;
• posters and name badges at events and trade shows;
• product packaging and delivery notes;
• waiting rooms, reception desks and classrooms.

Always add a line next to the code that says what it is and how long it takes, for example "Scan to rate your visit, 1 minute". Print it at least 2 cm (about 0.8 inch) wide, and test it with two different phones before printing in bulk.

5. Post the survey on social media

Social media gives your survey reach beyond your contact list. Post the link on your Facebook page, LinkedIn or Instagram (in a story link or your bio), and in relevant groups if their rules allow it. Pin the post so it stays at the top of your page while the survey is open.

Because anyone can answer a public post, add a screening question at the start if you only want certain respondents, and use survey branching to send each person to the questions that apply to them.

6. Share the survey on WhatsApp

WhatsApp works well for small, close audiences such as a sports club, a parents' group, a class or regular customers who message you already. Copy the survey link, write a short personal message explaining why you're asking, paste the link and send it to the chat or group. People read messages fast, so keep the survey short and mobile-friendly.

Only message people who gave you their number for this kind of contact, and don't add people to groups without asking.

7. Send the survey link by SMS

SMS is ideal for feedback right after a visit, delivery or appointment, because text messages are read within minutes. Keep the message short: who you are, what you're asking, how long it takes, the link and an opt-out. For example: "[Business]: thanks for your visit today. Rate us in 1 minute: [link] Reply STOP to opt out". With Mailpro SMS you can send the survey link to a contact list and schedule the send for the right moment.

8. Add the survey to receipts, invoices and email signatures

Your everyday customer touchpoints can carry the survey link for you: a line in your email signature, a link on invoices and receipts, a button on the thank-you page after a purchase, or a sentence in your order confirmation email. These placements bring fewer responses than a dedicated invitation, but they run continuously at no extra effort.

The same sharing options work for any form, so once you create an online form, such as a registration or a contact request, you can publish it through these same channels.

Ready to send yours? With Mailpro you can share your survey by email, website embed or link and watch the answers arrive in real time.

When is the best time to share a survey?

The best time to share a survey is shortly after the experience you're asking about, while it is still fresh. A few timing rules:

• Customer experience surveys: within 24 hours of the visit, delivery or support conversation.
• Product feedback: after the customer has had time to use the product, often 1–2 weeks after delivery.
• Event feedback: the same day or the next morning.
• Employee surveys: early in the week during working hours, never on a Friday afternoon.
• Market research to a list: weekday mornings tend to work well. See our answer on the best time to send a newsletter, which applies to survey invitations too.

Keep the survey open long enough for a reminder cycle, typically 1–2 weeks, and say the closing date in the invitation.

How do you get more people to answer a survey?

The biggest levers are a short survey, a relevant topic and a well-timed reminder. Typical response rates sit between 10% and 30%, and a well-designed survey can reach 50% or more. These tips make the most difference:

1. Say how long it takes in the invitation, and keep that promise. People abandon surveys that turn out longer than announced.
2. Keep it short. Ask only questions whose answers you will act on. Use branching so each person sees only what applies to them.
3. Start with an easy question and keep open-ended questions optional or at the end.
4. Show progress. A survey progress bar reduces drop-off on longer surveys.
5. Make it mobile-friendly. Most people open survey links on their phone. Test the survey on a phone before you share it.
6. Send one reminder to non-responders 4–7 days after the first invitation, never the same day. Our guide to survey reminder emails has examples.
7. Offer an incentive if it fits: a discount, a prize draw or a donation per response. State the rules clearly.
8. Close the loop. Tell respondents what you changed because of their answers. They will answer the next survey more readily.

For more ideas, see how to boost survey responses and our FAQ on improving survey participation.

How do you track responses and share the results?

Whichever way you share your survey, every response in Mailpro flows back into the same place. Dynamic survey statistics let you follow results live as answers arrive, and you can export survey responses whenever you want to analyze them further or pass them to your team.

When you share results with colleagues or stakeholders, lead with the three or four findings that matter, show the number of responses next to each percentage, and say what you plan to do about it. Survey data stays Swiss-hosted and GDPR-native in Mailpro while you collect and analyze it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to share an online survey?

The easiest way is to copy the survey's direct link and paste it into an email, a message or a social post. For people you already have in a contact list, sending the survey in an email campaign is just as easy and lets you track who answered.

Can I share a survey without an email list?

Yes. Embed the survey on your website, post the link on social media, share it in WhatsApp groups, or print a QR code. These methods reach people who are not in your contact list.

How do I share a survey on WhatsApp?

Copy the survey link, open the WhatsApp chat or group, write a short message that says why you're asking and how long it takes, paste the link and send it.

How do I turn a survey into a QR code?

Copy the survey link and paste it into a QR code generator, then download the code as an image and add it to your print materials. Test the code with your phone before printing.

How long should I keep a survey open?

Most surveys get the majority of their answers in the first few days. Keeping a survey open for one to two weeks leaves time for one reminder to non-responders.

How many reminders should I send?

One reminder, 4–7 days after the first invitation, is enough for most surveys. Send it only to people who have not answered, and thank those who have.

Can I keep a survey private or block bots?

Yes. In Mailpro you can protect a survey with a password and add a CAPTCHA. For internal surveys, share the link only by email to your list rather than posting it publicly.

Related guides: Mailpro surveys · reminder survey emails · survey branching · password-protected surveys