How to Create a Poll on Google Forms?

Need quick feedback or want to know what your audience prefers? A poll is the fastest way to do that.

Whether you're planning an event, testing a new idea, or just curious, polls help you collect opinions in seconds.

In this guide, you'll learn what polls are, when to use them, how to create one with tools like Google Forms or Formester, and how to get the most out of your results.

What is a Poll?

A poll is a simple tool used to gather opinions, feedback, or information from a group of people. It is usually a short survey with a question or set of questions. People respond to the poll by choosing from a set of options provided.

Polls are popular because they are easy to answer and give quick insights into what people think about a particular topic.

You may have seen polls on websites, social media, or even used them in a classroom or workplace to get a sense of people’s preferences or opinions.

You can use free poll templates to save time or try an AI poll maker to automatically generate smart, relevant questions.

When to Use a Poll?

Polls are useful whenever you need to quickly collect feedback, gauge interest, or make decisions based on the opinions of a group. They can be used in a variety of situations. For instance, if you're planning an event, a poll can help you figure out what time works best for attendees.

If you're running a business, a poll might help you understand customer satisfaction or gather opinions on new product ideas. You can also use polls in personal situations, such as deciding what movie to watch with friends or choosing the best restaurant for a group outing.

Polls are also great tools for training and assessments, helping educators and team leaders test knowledge or gather feedback during learning sessions.

Whenever you need to gather quick, straightforward opinions, polls are the way to go.

Different Poll Types

Polls can come in many forms, depending on the type of information you're looking to gather. Here are a few of the most common types:

Poll Type	Purpose	Best For	Example Question
Opinion Poll	Gather general opinions on a topic	Public opinion, Market research	What's your opinion on [topic]?
Benchmark Poll	Establish baseline data before a campaign	Pre-campaign research, Surveys	How satisfied are you with [product/service]?
Straw Poll	Quick, informal poll to gauge initial interest	Informal feedback, Quick insights	Are you interested in [feature/product]?
Tracking Poll	Measure changes in opinions over time	Campaign monitoring, Market research	Has your opinion on [topic] changed?
Brushfire Poll	Measure reaction to a hot or urgent issue	Crisis management, Immediate feedback	What do you think of [recent change]?
Entrance Poll	Collect data from individuals as they enter an event	Event planning, Pre-engagement	Why are you attending this event?
Exit Poll	Collect feedback as individuals leave an event	Post-event surveys, Feedback	How satisfied were you with this event?

Tips & Tricks

Creating an effective poll can be tricky if you're not sure what to ask or how to present the options. Here are some tips to make sure your poll is clear and valuable:

• Keep it simple. Ask short, direct questions.

• Limit the number of choices. Too many options can confuse people and lead to inaccurate results.

• Ensure your questions are clear and easy to understand. Avoid jargon or overly complicated language.

• Make your poll accessible. Avoid using terms that might not be familiar to all of your audience.

• Test your poll before sharing it. Answer the questions yourself or have someone else do it to check for any issues.

How to Create a Poll with Google Forms

Google Forms is a popular tool for creating polls, and it's very easy to use. To create a poll with Google Forms, follow these steps:

• Open Google Forms (forms.google.com).

• Click on the blank form or choose a template.

• Enter the title of your poll in the "Untitled Form" section.

• Add your question in the "Untitled Question" box. Select the type of question (multiple choice, checkbox, short answer, etc.).

• Add answer choices by clicking on the options.

• Repeat for as many questions as you need.

• Once you're finished, click the "Send" button at the top right to share the poll via email, link, or social media.

How to Create a Poll with Formester

Formester is another tool that makes it easy to create polls, and it provides more customization options than Google Forms. Here's how to create a poll with Formester:

• Log in to your Formester account (or create one if you don't have it yet).

• Click on "Create a New Form."

• Add your poll title and question.

• Select the type of responses you want (multiple choice, rating, etc.).

• Customize your form by changing colors, fonts, and adding any extra fields if needed.

• Click the "Publish" button to get a link or embed code for your poll.

How to Share the Poll on Social Media

Once you've created your poll, it's time to share it with your audience. You can easily share your poll on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Here's how:

• Copy the poll link or embed code from your poll tool (Google Forms or Formester).

• Log into your social media account and paste the link into a new post.

• Add a description or message to encourage people to participate.

• Share the post with your followers.

• Make sure to target the right audience by posting on platforms where your followers are most active.

How to Analyze the Poll Responses

After your poll has been shared and responses start coming in, you’ll want to analyze the data to gain insights. There are different methods for analyzing poll results depending on your goal.

• Basic Review: Start by simply reviewing the responses. If it’s a simple yes/no poll, you can easily tally the results.

• Graphs & Charts: Many poll tools (like Google Forms or Formester) automatically generate graphs and charts, which can help visualize the responses.

• Compare Data: If you have multiple questions, look for trends or patterns. For example, are people who like one option also more likely to choose a specific answer elsewhere in the poll?

• Cross-Tabulation: If you ask about more than one category (age, location, etc.), compare responses between different groups to spot differences.

Final Thoughts

Polls are a powerful tool for gathering opinions and making informed decisions. Whether you're planning an event, creating a product, or just looking to understand your audience better, polls can provide valuable insights.

By choosing the right poll type, keeping your questions simple, and analyzing the results properly, you can use polls to make smarter, data-driven choices.

Whether you choose Google Forms, Formester, or another tool, creating a poll is easy, and sharing it is even easier.