As a business consultant one of the most common things I urge businesses to do is to get feedback, know your customer, ask questions.  During a recent meeting, a client asked me to provide a list of common poll/survey applications that can be utilized.

Here is a list of the different tools I have tried out, got any others, add them to the list:

1  Linkedin Polls: I have personally used Linkedin polls and have found it easy to use and simple.  Easy to create.  Can be shared with with your network or selected professionals.  View real time results.  Get external link that can be distributed to anyone.

2  Poll Code: Free. You can customize with colors and fonts.  Quick post option for Myspace, Facebook and Wordpress.

3 FreeOnlineSurveys.com: Create email or web based surveys.  Free.  You can create upto 20 questions.  Data Analysis feature available.  You can insert videos from youtube or google video within survey.

4  Poll Daddy: Free. Real Time reporting. Embed pictures or html within poll/survey.  International language support.  Export data as XML, CSV, and receive results via email or RSS.  Works with blogger, TypePad, Wordpress etc.

5  Facebook Poll: I haven’t had any problems but I have heard some complaints.  Free. Application is easy to add.  Can be added to personal profile or business pages.  Allows you to add HTML tags to the polls.

6  Survey Monkey: Free version is quite powerful. Powerful designs available.  Different lay out options, Send automated responses to those who haven’t responded or left the survey incomplete.  Powerful reporting tool.  Highly recommend it for the analytic tools alone.

7  Constant Contact: Free 60 day trial.  Gives sample questions.  Survey wizard is quite powerful.  Customize poll with colors and your logo.  Can be embedded within website or blog.  Create custom invitation.  Send auto-reminders.  Analyze invitations and results.

8  Ace Polls: Free.  Can be added to website, blog, myspace, wordpress, email link etc.  Simple and easy to use.

9  Google Forms: Google Forms is a great way to collect information, I have utlized the online based system to gather information from clients or getting feedback specific to a client.  You can create a private poll or a public one and publish it on the web.  For more information about Google Forms and other Google Docs, read my post 10 ways to use Google Docs for Small Business.

10  Twt Poll: Another online based poll, great for social media usage.  You do need to have a twitter account to use the product.  Ability to customize the look and feel of the poll. To see more features, click here to see video.

Got any other suggestions? Email me at rabiyaj@lumenica.com or post a comment below.

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