How to make a poll in Google Forms

Google Forms is a versatile tool that you can use for a variety of purposes, from data collection to event organization and much more. With the right setup, you can use it to create polls, too.

In this blog post, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to create a poll using Google Forms. We’ll also show you how you can use Jotform as a more intuitive and powerful alternative for conducting polls.

How to make a poll in Google Forms

Making a poll in Google Forms is relatively straightforward; just follow the steps below.

1. Create a new blank form

Because there are no dedicated poll templates in Google Forms, you’ll need to create a new form from scratch. Add a title and description if you wish.

2. Add poll questions

Add your poll questions by clicking the + Add question button in the vertical menu to the right of the first question field.

As you’re creating your poll in Google Forms, make sure to keep it short. “Even your most loyal customers probably don’t want to spend half an hour filling out a survey,” says Kalin Kassabov, founder and CEO of ProTexting. “The longer a survey is, the lower your response rate will be.”

3. Add response options

Providing preset answer options is the best way to keep responses uniform. This makes it easier to track, manage, and report on your poll’s results.

You can select how to display answer options (e.g. multiple choice) from the dropdown menu associated with each question. Keep your answer options as short as possible here too. Just as no one wants to answer a lot of questions, they don’t want to scroll through a bunch of answer options either.

4. Adjust settings

There are two settings in particular that you may wish to change when creating a Google Forms poll. The first is to make every question mandatory. You can enforce an answering rule by toggling on the Required option at the bottom right corner of each question.

You may also want to make your poll anonymous by not collecting email addresses. Respondents may feel more open about sharing their opinions with this option. To do this, click the Settings tab at the top, then expand the Responses section. Toggle off the Collect email addresses option.

5. Share the Google Forms poll

Sharing your poll is easy. Click on the Send button in the upper right corner of your screen to copy a shareable link or send your poll directly via email.

Why Jotform is a great alternative to Google Forms

Google Forms isn’t the only way to create an online poll. If you want a mobile-friendly alternative to Google Forms, look no further than Jotform.

Unlike Google Forms, Jotform provides over 50 premade templates you can use to create a poll quickly. Whether you want to create a straw poll, a classroom poll, or a political poll, it’s easy to get started.

Additionally, Jotform lets you turn poll results into reports. It also comes with specific poll-related features (like letting users see overall results once they’ve submitted their entries) and top-notch security, including 256-bit SSL encryption and compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

How to create a poll using Jotform

Creating a poll with Jotform is simple. Just follow the steps below:

1. Choose a relevant template or create a new form.
2. Customize the form, adding your poll questions and your company’s logo and other design elements. Drag and drop form elements (like multiple choice questions) from the list on the left and customize the design from the Form Designer menu on the right.
3. Click Settings to give your poll a title.
4. Click Preview Form to see what your published poll will look like.
5. Share the form with users by clicking Publish to email it to them directly or create a link or QR code for it.

In addition to the free, ready-to-use poll templates, Jotform offers a powerful drag-and-drop form builder, so it only takes a few minutes to create a poll. Jotform also makes completing a poll convenient for your respondents, too; they can access and complete it on any device, including their computer, tablet, or smartphone.