Use a modern browser

Make sure to use a modern browser. A long survey of 100 questions loaded into the editor can take 8 seconds to load in Internet Explorer 8 and only 1.5 seconds in Chrome or Firefox. Make sure to keep your browser up to date. Use a recent computer as well. The faster your processor, the faster pages will load.

Use page titles

Page titles will save you time. Respondents don't see the page titles; they are only used in the editor. A meaningful page title is the basis for a lot of the other tips here. It will also make it easier to review your branching and page display logic because the conditions will refer to your page titles instead of a page number. For example, instead of "branch to page 6", you see "branch to demographics". That has more meaning which results in fewer errors.

Collapse pages

Collapsing a page means that you see only the page and not the questions on it. You can collapse all pages at once by following these steps:

1. Edit your survey.

2. Select Collapse all pages from the Actions dropdown in the top right corner of the page.

When you do this, the question editor page will load much faster. You can then go on working by expanding only the pages on which you need to work. Since you only see the page and not the questions, the page title becomes critical.

To expand a single page, select Expand from the Actions dropdown for that specific page. You can collapse this page after you've expanded it.

This is helpful when you want to review your branching and page display logic as these settings will still be visible after collapsing. And since the page names will be used in your logic's settings, you will immediately know which page a respondent is taken to after providing a certain answer and you will also immediately see whether this is the correct page or not.

Use inline editing

Use inline editing instead of going to the question's edit page to minimize loading time. To do this, click the text of the question. A toolbar appears where you can select from a variety of editing options, including changing font size and appearance. You can also access the question's HTML code via the toolbar.

You can make the necessary textual changes by typing them. When finished, click anywhere else in your survey and the changes will be saved immediately.

A message at the top of the page will confirm the changes. You can undo your last change by clicking Undo.

Copy pages, not questions

When you need to repeat a block of questions several times, place one block of all the questions on the same page. Collapse all pages. Copy that page for each block you need. Then add page titles and split each page. This method is faster than copying each individual question.

Translate later

This tip applies to all surveys. Create your survey first in only one language. Make sure to test the survey multiple times. Once complete, don't translate it in the editor; use translation files instead.

Don't forget respondents

Respondents have a limited attention span. If a survey is too long, respondent fatigue can set in and respondents may stop before the end or just start answering without considering each question (straight liners). The next time you send them a survey, they may not open it again, remembering the last long survey from you. It is better to send smaller surveys at different contact moments (e.g. when they get a delivery from you or after a contact with your helpdesk).