Introduction
Data is the lifeblood of most organisations. But in order to get that data and glean insights from it, you need to be able to ask questions. That’s why we work with clients who want to know how their audiences see them or what they think about a particular subject. We also work with clients who want to understand customer experience and improve engagement with their products and services and this might mean using surveys or using them in conjunction with other research methods such as focus groups or one-on-one interviews.
Determine your priorities
First, you’ll want to prioritise your needs. For example, if your budget is tight and you need the best survey provider who will work within it, then that should be one of your top priorities. If there’s no money for surveys in your budget this year, then perhaps it’s best not to start sending any out at all until next year when more funds become available.
On the other hand, if time isn’t an issue for you and the size of your survey is small enough that it won’t take too long to complete (less than 10 questions), then maybe patience would be better than rushing through everything with a less thorough provide. This is especially the case since this may lead them to make mistakes or miss crucial details about their customers which could potentially damage their brand over time.
Next on our list is the type of data needed:
Are we looking for demographic data such as age or gender?
Or are we trying to figure out whether certain types of people like something better than others do?
What kind(s) do we need?
Do you have the technical resources to implement and manage the platform?
While the answer to this question varies by company and industry, you do need to have the right technical resources in place to implement and manage a survey provider platform. Are you able to collect data from your employees? Do you have IT professionals with experience in analytics or statistical analysis? If not, then hiring these individuals may be necessary for your survey needs.
In addition, knowing what kind of data you need will help determine which provider is best for you. For example, if all of your surveys are customer satisfaction-based and focused on one product or service area, then it may make sense for you to use a specialist who specialises in satisfaction surveys exclusively. Given that many providers offer multiple solutions (such as employee engagement surveys), understanding what exactly is needed when it comes time for implementation could save time when choosing between different vendors based on their capabilities.
We’ve already discussed above regarding the length of commitment periods. Another factor worth considering before deciding upon an appropriate vendor is whether they offer an option that allows them greater flexibility over pricing structures. They should be able to do this while still maintaining access at set intervals throughout any given year period. For instance, they should provide access during certain weeks each quarter but still allow for flexibility should circumstances change later down.
How quickly do you need data? And how will you get it?
The next step is to determine how immediately you need the data from B2B survey respondents. If you’re working on a research project that has a strict deadline, then it might be best to sign up with a provider who offers rapid turnaround times. However, if you can easily wait until the following day or even a week, then there may be no reason to rush into making your decision.
You also need to consider how frequently and in what format will you get your results. If you only need summary information from the survey taken at two points during an event (such as an annual meeting), then online reporting may suffice for your needs. On the other hand, if your organisation is looking for detailed information about individuals who participated in this survey, then online reporting will not work as well for these purposes. This is because it does not allow for exporting data in any format other than PDFs or HTML files that cannot be used by statistical software such as SPSS or R Studio.
What kind of data do you need?
Different kinds of data come from different kinds of surveys. If you are looking for data on a specific topic, like politics or healthcare, you will need a survey provider that specialises in that area. If you are looking for data on a specific demographic, like millennials or baby boomers, you will need a survey provider that specialises in that area.
Consider the cost
When it comes to the cost of B2B market research data, there are several factors that can affect how much you’ll pay.
- The survey length and complexity. Longer surveys tend to have higher costs than shorter ones, and more complicated surveys may cost more than simple ones.
- The type of survey (e.g., paper-based vs online). Paper-based surveys tend to be less expensive than those administered via the internet because they don’t require any technology or software in order to be administered, analysed, or stored.
- The provider you choose (and their pricing structure). Some providers charge by the number of responses received while others charge based on a flat rate or per-question format. Some will also offer discounts if your organisation has certain requirements such as being non-profit or having multiple locations.
Do your research to find the best survey provider for your needs
There are many different types of survey providers, so you want to choose one that is right for you. You can start by asking yourself some questions about what you need from the best survey provider and what type of services they provide. You can also ask other people who have used different services in the past, such as family members or coworkers.
- What kind of surveys do I want?
- How often will I be conducting surveys?
- What questions am I looking to answer from these surveys?
Conclusion
Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine the best survey provider for your needs. With so many options out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But with these tips in mind and by doing some research, you should be able to find a provider that will work well for your company.
