There are a few different things you can test when you are launching a survey. You can use the information below to guide you through what you want to test, or combine it all to comprehensively test all elements of sending a survey.

We recommend you use the Snapshot feature (available to Admins) to backup your site before you start any testing, as it means no matter what you do you can restore your site to the point in time before you started testing. If your site has other open surveys or other changes being made, use Snapshot with caution as it will remove any other responses received within the Snapshot window and undo any changes made. You can read more about using the Snapshot feature here. 

What can you test?

1. Check the question flow, the look and the feel of a survey
2. Check the survey respondent experience
3. Check the email survey invite has been delivered
4. Check the survey invite template is correct
5. Check if the response link works, the survey responses are captured and being pulled through to the Insight pages and Reports

I want to check the question flow, the look and feel of a survey

Testing method: Use the preview function in the Survey Builder

When you are in the Survey Builder, you can view the survey in the same way a respondent would, to check the sections, questions and the flow of the survey. 

Note: The preview is a close representation of the survey but we recommend also testing with the below methods to ensure you have tested that all elements appear as you are expecting. The purpose of preview is to see the look, feel and flow of the questions and may not include all survey settings e.g. Close the Feedback Loop functionality.

I want to check the question translations

Testing method: Use the preview function in the Survey Builder

When you are in the Survey Builder, you can change the language using the drop down at the top to view the sections, questions and prompts. Here you will also be notified if there is a translation missing. 

I want to test the survey respondent experience

Testing method: Use the Test Survey feature 

When you are in the Survey Builder, you can use the option ‘Test Survey’ to review the look and feel of the survey in the same way a respondent would, including answering the questions and being made to fill out required questions, and being prompted with any filters. Responses will be pre-populated to save you time filling it in. Responses can be deleted at the end of the survey, or retained to fill in Insights. Please delete responses if you need to continue to edit your survey, once responses are captured the survey will lock.

I want to check if the email survey invite has been delivered

Testing method: Use the Send a test message feature

When you are in the invite process, you can go through the steps and get to the Preview and Send tab. Use the Send a test message to check an invite is delivered to your email, and gets past your IT checks.

I want to check the survey invite template is correct 

Testing method: Use the Send a test message feature

See above

I want to check if the response link works, the survey responses are captured and being pulled through to the Insights pages and Reports

Testing method: Use the Invite process

Go through the Invite process to send an invite to selected respondents, or test accounts. Complete this process more than 5 times (to pass the anonymity threshold to be able to view the data) and then confirm data is being captured and displayed as expected by accessing the survey’s Insights pages and by running reports. Ensure you don’t have any filters on as this may cause the data to go below the anonymity threshold. 

Note: By using this process test votes will be captured and will then have to be removed from the site. Refer to the article How to delete votes to learn the four ways you can delete test votes before you start. Some of the methods can be done by Customers, whereas some are only available to CSMs.