An online survey example is a complete, ready-to-adapt survey: a short introduction that says who is asking, why and how long it takes, followed by a handful of focused questions with the right answer types. Below are 10 online survey examples for customers, employees, research, events, schools and newsletters, each with its introduction, questions and when to send it, plus 5 survey introduction examples you can copy.
If you are building your first survey, read how to create an online survey first; for wording rules, see the online survey best practices.
Online survey examples at a glance
| Example | Goal | Length | When to send |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Customer satisfaction (CSAT) | Rate one experience | 3 questions | Right after the purchase or support |
| 2. NPS | Track loyalty | 2 questions | Quarterly |
| 3. Employee satisfaction | Understand engagement | 10–20 questions | Once or twice a year |
| 4. Employee pulse | Spot trends | 4–5 questions | Monthly |
| 5. Market research | Test demand and price | 5–10 questions | Before a launch |
| 6. Event feedback | Improve the next event | 4–6 questions | The day after |
| 7. Training evaluation | Improve a course | 4–6 questions | At the end of the session |
| 8. Cancellation | Learn why people leave | 1–2 questions | On the cancel page |
| 9. Parent or school | Improve school life | 5–10 questions | Each term |
| 10. Newsletter feedback | Shape your content | 4 questions | Once a year |
Customer survey examples
1. Customer satisfaction survey (CSAT)
Send it right after a purchase, a delivery or a support conversation, while the experience is fresh.
Introduction: Thanks for your recent order with [Company]. Three quick questions, under a minute, to help us get the next one right.
- How satisfied are you with your order? (1–5 scale, from very dissatisfied to very satisfied)
- What did you like most? (multiple choice: product, price, delivery, service, other)
- What could we do better? (open text, optional)
Go further with the customer satisfaction survey guide and its 50 questions, or start from the CSAT survey template.
2. Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey
Every quarter or twice a year, to track loyalty over time rather than one transaction.
Introduction: One question about [Company], and one optional follow-up. It takes 30 seconds.
- How likely are you to recommend [Company] to a friend or colleague? (0–10 scale)
- What is the main reason for your score? (open text)
The calculation is explained in how to measure and calculate NPS; template: NPS survey.
Employee survey examples
3. Employee satisfaction survey
Once or twice a year, anonymous, so people answer honestly.
Introduction: This survey is anonymous: we cannot see who answered what. It takes about 5 minutes, and the results will be shared with the whole team in [month].
- I have the tools and information I need to do my job well. (agree–disagree scale)
- I feel my work is recognized. (agree–disagree scale)
- How likely are you to still be working here in two years? (1–5 scale)
- What one change would most improve your work? (open text)
More questions by topic in employee satisfaction survey questions; set it up as an anonymous survey. Template: employee satisfaction survey.
4. Employee pulse survey
Every month or two, with the same few questions, to see trends between the big annual surveys.
Introduction: Five questions, two minutes, same as last month, so we can see what is changing.
- How would you rate your week overall? (1–5 stars)
- How manageable is your workload right now? (1–5 scale)
- Do you feel supported by your manager? (yes / partly / no)
- Anything you want to flag? (open text, optional)
Template: employee pulse survey.
Want to build one of these now? The Mailpro online survey maker has templates for each example, and you can send the survey to your contacts by email from the same account.
Research and event survey examples
5. Market research survey
Before a launch or a price change, to test demand with the people you want to sell to.
Introduction: We are designing a new [product] and would value your opinion. Six questions, about 3 minutes; no sales follow-up.
- How do you currently solve [problem]? (multiple choice + other)
- How often does [problem] happen to you? (daily / weekly / monthly / rarely)
- How interested would you be in [concept]? (1–5 scale)
- Which of these features matters most to you? (ranking)
- What would you expect to pay per month? (price ranges)
The full method and 60 questions are in the market research survey guide; templates: concept testing survey and the market research templates.
6. Event feedback survey
The day after the event, while attendees remember the details.
Introduction: Thanks for joining [event] yesterday. Four questions to help us plan the next edition.
- Overall, how would you rate the event? (1–5 stars)
- Which session was most useful? (single choice from the program)
- How was the venue and organisation? (1–5 scale)
- Would you attend next year? (yes / maybe / no)
Template: event feedback survey.
7. Training evaluation survey
At the end of a course or workshop, before people leave the room or close the tab.
Introduction: Please rate today's training. Your answers go to the trainer and help us improve the program.
- The content met my expectations. (agree–disagree scale)
- The trainer explained things clearly. (agree–disagree scale)
- How confident are you applying what you learned? (1–5 scale)
- What should we add or remove? (open text)
Template: training evaluation form.
Other online survey examples
8. Cancellation or unsubscribe survey
On the cancellation or unsubscribe page, as one short optional step.
Introduction: Sorry to see you go. Could you tell us why? One click is enough.
- What is the main reason you are leaving? (single choice: price, not using it, missing feature, switched to another tool, other)
- Is there anything we could have done to keep you? (open text, optional)
See why unsubscribe surveys are worth sending; template: cancellation survey.
9. Parent or school satisfaction survey
Once a term or at the end of the school year.
Introduction: Your feedback helps us improve life at [school]. About 4 minutes; answers are anonymous.
- How satisfied are you with communication from the school? (1–5 scale)
- Does your child enjoy coming to school? (always / often / sometimes / rarely)
- Which topic should we improve first? (single choice: homework, activities, meals, safety, other)
- Any other comment? (open text)
More ideas in surveys for schools, teachers and students; template: parent satisfaction survey.
10. Newsletter feedback survey
Once a year, sent to your newsletter readers, to decide what to keep and what to drop.
Introduction: You read our newsletter. Tell us what to keep: four questions, one minute.
- How often do you read our newsletter? (every issue / most / sometimes / rarely)
- Which sections do you find most useful? (multiple choice)
- Is the frequency right? (too often / right / not often enough)
- What topic would you like us to cover? (open text)
You can even ask the first question inside the email with an email survey or newsletter poll. Template: newsletter feedback survey.
Online survey introduction examples
A good survey introduction answers four questions in two or three sentences: who is asking, why, how long it takes and what happens to the answers. Here are five you can adapt:
- Short and transactional: “Thanks for your order. Three questions, under a minute, to help us improve.”
- Anonymous and internal: “This survey is anonymous: no one can see who answered what. It takes about 5 minutes, and we will share the results in [month].”
- Research, with a clear promise: “We are designing a new service and want your opinion. Six questions, 3 minutes, and no sales call afterwards.”
- With an incentive: “Answer five questions before [date] and get [reward]. It takes about two minutes.”
- For members or a community: “As a member of [association], your opinion decides next year's program. Ten minutes, open until [date].”
Keep the time estimate honest: if you say one minute, stay under five questions. If the answers are anonymous, say so, and make sure the survey really is, with no name or email field.
Which answer types do these examples use?
| Answer type | Best for | Used in examples |
|---|---|---|
| Rating scale (1–5, stars) | Satisfaction and quality | 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 |
| 0–10 scale | Likelihood to recommend | 2 |
| Agree–disagree scale | Opinions and engagement | 3, 7 |
| Single or multiple choice | Reasons, preferences, frequency | 1, 5, 8, 9, 10 |
| Ranking | Priorities | 5 |
| Open text | The why behind a score | Almost all, as the last question |
Rating scales and NPS are explained in more detail on the rating scales and NPS page. If some questions only apply to part of your audience, use survey branching so people skip them.
Tips for adapting these survey examples
- Keep one goal per survey. If you want satisfaction and product ideas, send two short surveys rather than one long one.
- Put the most important question first, so you still get it from people who drop out.
- End with one optional open question. It gives you the reasons behind the scores.
- Test on a phone before sending: most people answer on mobile.
- Remind non-respondents once, a few days later; see how to send a survey reminder and how to boost survey response rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is an example of an online survey?
A customer satisfaction survey sent by email after a purchase is the most common example: a one-sentence introduction, a 1–5 satisfaction question, a question about what the customer liked and an optional comment box.
How many questions should an online survey have?
Most of the examples above have 2 to 6 questions. Short transactional surveys work best under five questions; annual employee or research surveys can go to 15–20 if you split them into pages.
Can I use these survey examples for free?
Yes, the introductions and questions on this page are free to copy and adapt. To send them and collect the answers you need a survey tool; compare the options in how to choose online survey software.
What should a survey introduction say?
Who is asking, why, how long it takes and whether answers are anonymous or how they will be used, in two or three sentences.
Already use an email marketing tool? See whether you can send an online survey with your email marketing software.
Online surveys with Mailpro
From these examples to your own survey
Start from a template, adjust the questions, send the survey to your contacts by email and follow the answers live. Mailpro™ is hosted in Switzerland and GDPR compliant.
