"email technology can be a very effective way for organizations and businesses to distribute surveys and polls. But do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages? Short answer: Yes. But there are many things to consider before using email software to distribute surveys.Ethical Considerations and ConfidentialityFirst, any organization must be able to ensure the privacy of respondents. An email survey response is not actually confidential, since the organization sending the survey has access to the respondent's email address. However, every effort should be made on the researching organization's part to keep that information private and used only for the survey or poll attached to - or included in - the email. So, to effectively ensure that privacy, email surveys or polls should only be sent to those customers or clients who have given permission to the researching organization, agreeing to reception of said emails.Create a Customer BaseNot only can a survey or poll sent to a customer or client yield tremendous research opportunities, a quick question at the end - or a check box - can be used to open that customer or client up to receive coupons or information about special offers. These quick additions can lead to repeat business. Accurate Information?Emailing surveys or polls usually ensures only one response per intended target - unlike posted online polls and surveys which can yield multiple responses from individual respondents. However, any online poll or survey - email- or website-based - should not be considered an accurate representation of a whole population. When used for a particular customer or client base, however, the accuracy of such online polls and surveys can be considered high. Cost EffectivenessOnline polls and surveys are much less expensive than traditional mail or hand outs. Free software for email polling and surveying can be found at websites such as surveymonkey.com, constantcontact.com or verticalresponse.com. Each website also features several pay service plans ranging in price, depending on the needs of the researching organization or business. Be Quick About ItEmail surveys and polls have a quick response rate, since most people check their email every day. Though not every recipient will respond, it is still more efficient than posting a poll or survey onto a website or traditional mail or hand out polls and surveys. To ensure faster - and more - responses, keep questions and surveys concise. Two responses per minute is a general rule, and a poll or survey that takes more than five to 10 minutes to respond to will spark disinterest.Use the InformationSurvey and poll responses are an invaluable resource, useful in maintaining a relationship and open dialogue with customers and clients. But they only work if the researching organization is committed to using them correctly. Through email polls and surveys, organizations and businesses receive candid responses from willing participants. The information should be used to better customer relations and client services or to track sales or business trends, all while keeping the respondents' privacy secure."