How to make a product recommendation quiz (step-by-step)

Even the most loyal customers don’t always know exactly what they want when they visit your site. They might browse a few product pages or check out what’s on sale. But if nothing catches their eye, they may leave without buying anything. 

Give them a nudge in the right direction with a product recommendation quiz. By asking a few interactive questions about their needs and preferences, you can keep them engaged. A quiz also matches them to specific items, which could lead to more sales. 

These interactive quizzes also allow you to gather data directly from potential customers. You can use this information to make your broader e-commerce marketing strategy feel more personalized. If 30 percent of quiz takers say they care about a specific feature, you can spotlight that in your next campaign. 

Product recommendation quizzes are especially helpful if you use Shopify, because you can integrate them into your store. For the best results, you’ll need to do more than write a few multiple-choice questions. The questions you ask and the underlying quiz logic determine how successful your quiz will be. 

How to create a product recommendation quiz

Designing a product recommendation quiz is a little more complex than creating a survey. Instead of simply asking questions, you need to use the responses you gather to suggest relevant products. 

The good news is you don’t need to code your quiz from scratch. This guide walks you through how to create a quiz using Jotform’s form builder. It includes key features like conditional logic and custom thank you pages. However, you can also follow these steps using other form builders with similar features. 

Here’s how to make a product recommendation quiz that will help you sell on Shopify. 

Step 1: Pick a template or create a custom quiz

Before you start brainstorming questions, decide whether you want to use a prebuilt template or build your quiz from the ground up. 

Jotform offers more than 20,000 pre-made templates, but not all of them include the necessary quiz logic for product recommendations. Use the search bar to narrow your options quickly. Once you find a product recommendation quiz template you like, click Use Template.

If none of the options fits your needs, you can always create a custom form. This option gives you complete control over every aspect of your quiz, but it may take longer than using a template. 

Step 2: Write your quiz questions

Jotform offers a variety of question formats, including dropdowns, multiple choice, and open response. 

For the best engagement and results, stick to simple formats that customers can easily answer in just a few clicks. Most people don’t want to write long paragraphs when they’re browsing online, so avoid open responses whenever possible. 

Make sure every question has a purpose, too. Focus on gathering essential information to match customers to products. For example, a fashion retailer might add questions about a customer’s sizing and favorite materials. Likewise, a jewelry boutique may ask about the customer’s budget and ring size. You may also ask for their contact information so you can follow up with discounts or reminder emails. 

As a general rule, stick to around eight to 12 questions per quiz. This gives you enough information to make helpful recommendations without overwhelming shoppers.  

Step 3: Add conditional logic

A product recommendation quiz for e-commerce typically asks multiple questions before making suggestions. As the user responds, the quiz narrows down the available options. For example, if someone answers that they have a dog, the quiz shouldn’t recommend cat food later. This filtering usually happens through conditional logic. 

This system uses an if/then approach to create different paths based on the user’s answers. If someone answers that they have sensitive skin, the next question could ask whether they’re allergic to specific ingredients. If they’re not allergic, the quiz can skip ahead to another question. 

After you write your preliminary questions, use conditional logic to create different pathways in your quiz. This feature is what turns basic questions into an interactive experience. 

If you’re using Jotform’s product recommendation quiz maker, go to the Settings tab and click Conditions.

The AI assistant allows you to describe conditions in plain language. If you sell skincare products, you might write, “If the user says they have oily skin, ask them if they’re looking for a cleanser or a moisturizer. If they say they have dry skin, ask them if they need a moisturizer or a hydrating serum.” Use the Add Field dropdown menu to attach your condition to specific questions. 

Jotform also lets you build conditions manually. For example, you can choose to show or hide specific fields based on the customer’s answers. 

As you create your conditions, you may need to create more questions to build out each pathway. Just make sure you don’t accidentally overload one branch with too many questions or leave any dead ends that don’t lead to recommendations. 

Step 4: Design your thank you page

End the quiz on a positive note with a custom thank you page. Use it to share their personalized results and express your appreciation for their time. 

Be sure to add an action button, too. This gives users a concrete next step, so they stay engaged instead of exiting. For instance, you could invite them to fill out the quiz again for another recommendation or direct them to your product catalog to continue shopping. 

Step 5: Add an AI agent (optional)

Even if you think your quiz is straightforward, some customers may still need a helping hand. Give them instant support with Jotform’s chatbot for e-commerce. This intelligent AI chatbot answers the user’s questions in real time if they get stuck, so they’re more likely to complete the quiz. Read our guide about AI chatbots for e-commerce to learn how to use AI chatbots in your site.

Train your agent by supplying it with necessary information, such as a link to your website, FAQ pages, product descriptions, and your company’s shipping and return policies. The AI will draw on this data to provide accurate answers to user questions. 

Step 6: Embed your quiz in your Shopify store

After you’ve finished building your quiz, it’s time to add it to your Shopify store.

Start by deciding where you want to place it. Some businesses use landing page surveys for conversion. These quizzes allow visitors to immediately find suitable products instead of scrolling through the catalog, which may increase engagement and time spent on site. You could also embed your survey on your home page or create a separate page just for the quiz. 

Once you’ve picked your location, follow these steps: 

1. Click Publish at the top of the Form Builder. 
2. Select Platforms. 
3. Use the search bar to find and select Shopify. 
4. Click the Copy Code button to get the embed code. 
5. Open your Shopify dashboard and go to your Online Store. 
6. Click Pages > Add Page or Edit Page. 
7. In the editor, switch to the HTML view and paste the embed code. 
8. Click Save.

How product recommendation quizzes increase sales

Creating a Shopify product recommendation quiz may not seem like an obvious way to make money online, but it can have a tangible impact on your sales. 

For one, this tool helps shoppers find products that match their needs quickly. Instead of scrolling through dozens of products or adjusting filters, they answer a few simple questions about their needs. That leads to faster conversions and higher customer satisfaction. 

Online testing tools also help businesses understand customer intent. For example, a supplement retailer might ask if users want to lose weight, improve their health, or build muscle. If 40 percent want to build muscle, the company might invest more in relevant products or spotlight them in its marketing. Over time, these personalized strategies result in higher sales. 

Common pitfalls

Of course, every technology comes with a learning curve. Avoid these common obstacles: 

• Creating complicated or extensive quizzes. Customers want to shop, not feel like they’re taking the SAT. Keep product recommendation quizzes short and easy to complete. 
• Not personalizing recommendations enough. If your quiz only includes a few generic answers, users may feel disappointed or confused. 
• Ignoring your audience’s goals. If you don’t understand customer intent, you may create irrelevant questions. 

Conditional logic helps you avoid these issues. It boosts customer engagement by only asking relevant questions. If something doesn’t apply to a given user, it skips to the next question that fits their needs. 

This structure saves time and offers customers more value. After all, the last thing you want to do is ask five questions about sweaters if the user already said they don’t wear them. Instead of clicking “N/A” or abandoning the quiz, they move on to questions about their actual interests and needs. 

It also helps you give more relevant suggestions by filtering out options that don’t match their responses. If a user says they’re interested in hiking gear, you focus on the features and accessories they need for their next outdoor adventure. 

Ready to build your first Shopify quiz? Try Jotform’s convenient form builder for free. It offers more than 1,500 quiz templates, so you don’t need to code anything. Start with a product recommendation quiz template, or use the ready-to-use Product Recommendation AI Agent right away.