Customer Experience Surveys

Effective CX surveys measure customer perceptions of how well your company delivers. Ask them what products or services they like, which they dislike, and what they’d love more of.
Get Student Discount
Apply for Discount

Customer Experience Surveys

Creating a survey?

If you're looking to launch a survey to capture customer feedback on needs and wants, experience of your product or survey, satisfaction levels, or for any other purpose, we've got you covered. View our collection of handy customer questionnaire templates and start collecting feedback today.

View the templates

Introduction to customer experience surveys

In today's competitive business environment, understanding and meeting your customers' needs is paramount. One powerful tool that businesses have at their disposal to do this is the customer experience survey. Run as part of a wider customer experience program, this crucial tool enables companies to tap into their customers' thoughts and feelings, helping to shape strategic direction and drive performance improvements.

Understanding the term 'customer experience'

'Customer experience' (also known as 'CX') refers to a customer's perception of a business based on all their interactions with it. From navigating a website to speaking with customer service, each touchpoint contributes to their overall experience. The customer experience is a critical factor that can make or break a company's reputation and influence its bottom line.

A positive customer experience can lead to repeat purchases, brand loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth. Conversely, a negative experience can deter potential customers, result in lost sales, and harm a company's reputation.

The purpose of CX surveys

Customer insights

Customer experience surveys are a method of gathering detailed feedback from customers. The data collected can reveal vital information about customers' preferences, expectations, and pain points.

Informed decision-making

The insights derived from running a customer survey can guide strategic decision-making, helping businesses align their offerings with customer expectations, improve processes, and innovate.

Popular types of CX survey

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

The NPS survey asks customers how likely they are to recommend the company to others. It provides insights into customer loyalty and satisfaction, making it a powerful tool for long-term growth.

Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)

The CSAT survey measures a customer's satisfaction with a specific transaction or service. It helps businesses understand the success of their immediate customer interactions.

Customer Effort Score (CES)

The CES survey asks customers to rate the ease of their experience with the company. It helps businesses understand how simple it is for customers to interact with their services or products.

Key elements to include in a CX survey

Clear objectives

Each survey should have a clear purpose. Whether it's to assess overall customer satisfaction or measure the effectiveness of a recent change, clarity in what you want to achieve helps design relevant questions.

Relevant questions

Questions should be concise, targeted, and relevant. They should address specific areas of the customer experience and aim to uncover actionable insights.

Easy-to-follow structure

Surveys should be easy to follow with logical flow and structure. A good survey respects the respondent's time and keeps them engaged to completion.

Designing and executing a customer experience survey

1. Define the objectives

Start by defining what you want to achieve with the survey. Your objectives will guide the design process and help focus the survey on gathering relevant data.

2. Draft your questions

Draft questions that align with your objectives. Keep them concise and focused, aiming to extract actionable insights. You can read more about the most common and effective survey questions here.

3. Choose the right survey type

Select a survey type that best suits your objectives. For instance, if you want to measure overall customer loyalty, an NPS survey might be most suitable.

4. Decide on distribution method

In order to connect with your customers effectively you'll need to determine the best way to distribute your survey. This could be through email, on your website, via social media or in-person, or a combination of these. Some popular distribution channels include:

Email or SMS invitations

Send the survey link with a customised email message to a contact list through SmartSurvey or via SMS. All surveys are automatically mobile friendly.

Offline surveys

Carry out your research at any location where connectivity is unavailable. Data will be stored on your mobile device ready to be uploaded to your account.

Embedding and pop-ups

Integrate your surveys into your website using a popup invitation window or an exit survey for when they leave your website.

Social media and QR codes

Share your surveys via social media directly from SmartSurvey, including: Facebook, Twitter and more or use a printable or digitally shared QR code.

Read more: survey types by distribution or audience

5. Launch the survey

Once the survey design phase is finalised, launch it and ensure that the respondents have a smooth, user-friendly experience.

6. Analyse the results

After collecting the responses, produce your reports and start analysing the data. Look for patterns and trends in the feedback, which can help uncover systemic issues or areas of excellence. Focus on identifying actionable insights that can drive improvements in your business. Whether it's a recurring complaint or a highly praised feature, use this information to refine your strategies.

7. Act on the feedback

Use the feedback to make informed strategic decisions. This could involve tweaking your product or service, retraining staff, or introducing new processes. The ultimate goal of a customer experience survey is to drive improvements. Ensure that the feedback collected is used to enhance your customers' experience and increase satisfaction.

Common mistakes to avoid when conducting customer experience surveys

Carrying out customer experience surveys is a delicate process and while they can provide invaluable insights, certain mistakes can significantly hinder their effectiveness. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Asking leading or biased questions

Leading or biased questions can skew your survey results, giving you an inaccurate view of your customers' experiences. Ensure your questions are neutral and open-ended where possible, allowing your customers to freely express their thoughts and feelings.

Creating overly long surveys

Long surveys can be daunting to customers and may lead to a high drop-out rate. Keep your surveys concise and relevant, respecting your customers' time. If a longer survey is necessary, consider offering an incentive for completion to encourage participation.

Overusing jargon

Using industry-specific jargon or complicated language can confuse respondents and lead to inaccurate responses. Use simple, clear language to ensure your questions are understood by all.

Neglecting to act on the feedback

Collecting feedback is just the first step. Neglecting to act on the insights gathered can lead to customer frustration and a feeling of disconnection. Use your survey results to drive improvements in your business.

Failing to follow up with customers

After conducting a survey, it's crucial to communicate the results and subsequent actions with your customers. This shows them their feedback is valued and contributes to a better customer experience.

Not testing the survey before distribution

Always test your survey before distributing it to your customers. This helps identify any technical glitches, confusing questions, or other potential issues that may affect the respondent's experience.

Lack of segmentation in survey respondents

All your customers are not the same, so why would you treat their feedback as such? Consider segmenting your customers and tailoring your surveys to different groups. This can provide more specific and actionable insights.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can increase the effectiveness of your customer experience surveys, ensuring they provide the valuable insights you need to enhance your customer experience.

The enduring value of customer experience surveys

Customer experience surveys are a powerful tool for understanding your customers, driving improvements, and fostering growth. They can provide invaluable insights that can shape the direction of your business.

By effectively designing, implementing, and analysing customer experience surveys, you are setting your business up for long-term success, continually improving your offering based on the voices that matter most - your customers'.

More survey design advice

How are we different?

We will help you collect the information you need quickly and easily. Trust us to safeguard your data and provide the support you need, when you need it.

UK based

Your data will be stored and processed here in the UK for your peace of mind.

Fanatical support

We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for our customers, providing expert advice and support whenever you need it.

You're in safe hands

Our secure platform and robust data protection measures ensure your data is safe and secure with us. We are ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certified.

We're human

We understand the importance of personal interaction, which is why we offer a human touch alongside our cutting-edge technology.

Accessibility matters

We're committed to making our surveys accessible to everyone, with a range of features to support those with disabilities.

Unlimited responses

With no limits on the number of responses you can collect, you can be sure your survey will reach as many people as possible without it being cost prohibitive.

Icon of a hand holding a heart
You're in safe hands

Don't just take our word for it

Trusted by leading companies and brands worldwide.
Over 500,000 users have registered to use SmartSurvey.
Quotation icon

Thanks to SmartSurvey, our communication strategy is making us stand out from the crowd. By using SMS, asking the right questions and acting on results, IKEA is one step ahead of the competition.

Alastair, IKEA
Quotation icon

We couldn't be happier with SmartSurvey, we love its functionality and flexibility. This means we have been able to use one survey tool across many parts of the business.

Martin, uSwitch
Multi-award winning survey software
Awards certificatesAwards certificates

Get in touch

We will help you collect the information you need quickly and easily. Trust us to safeguard your data and provide the support you need, when you need it.
UK-based and secure

We are ISO27001 certified, registered under the Data Protection Act and fully compliant with EU Privacy Laws.

Dedicated support

Access to a knowledgeable account manager for personal assistance for when you most need it.

Flexible to suit your needs

Our friendly design team is on hand to assist with any bespoke design and custom development requests.

We'll go that extra step

We succeed if you succeed. Our goal is to help you carry out effective research and we’re here to help you achieve that.

Find out how we can help

Get started and create your first survey

If you would like more information then please get in touch.

Elevate your survey game.
Discover the power of our cutting-edge survey software with a personalised demo!