Sharing surveys

Learn how to share surveys via URLs, single-use invitations, QR codes, and email

Sharing overview

Ask Users provides multiple ways to share your surveys with your audience. Whether you need a simple link to paste in an email, single-use invitations for targeted outreach, or a QR code for print materials, we've got you covered.

All active surveys are automatically hosted on the Ask Users platform with a unique URL that you can share immediately. You can also customize the URL, generate single-use invitations for sensitive surveys, or create QR codes for offline distribution.

Note: Surveys must be activated before they can be shared. Inactive surveys will display a message that the survey is not currently available.

Hosted survey URLs

Every active survey gets a hosted URL that you can share anywhere. The survey is displayed on a clean, branded page with your customizations applied.

Finding your survey URL

  1. 1Navigate to your survey in the dashboard
  2. 2Click the "Share" button in the top toolbar
  3. 3Copy the hosted survey URL from the sharing modal
  4. 4Share the URL via email, messaging apps, or paste it anywhere

Example URL format:

https://surveys.askusers.org/f/your-survey-id

Custom slugs

Customize your survey's URL with a memorable slug instead of using the auto-generated ID. This makes your links cleaner and easier to remember.

To create a custom slug:

  1. Go to your survey settings
  2. Find the "Custom URL slug" field
  3. Enter your desired slug (lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only)
  4. Click "Save" to update

Default URL:

https://surveys.askusers.org/f/a1b2c3d4

Custom slug URL:

https://surveys.askusers.org/f/contact-us

Note: Custom slugs must be unique across all surveys in the system. If your desired slug is taken, you'll need to choose a different one.

QR codes

Generate and use QR codes

QR codes provide a convenient way to share surveys in physical locations or printed materials. Users can scan the code with their mobile device camera to access your survey instantly.

How to generate a QR code:

  1. Navigate to your survey in the dashboard
  2. Click the "Share" button
  3. Enable public hosting if not already enabled
  4. The QR code will be automatically generated and displayed
  5. Click "Print QR" to print the QR code

Common use cases for QR codes:

Event signage

Display QR codes at events for feedback collection or registration

Product packaging

Include QR codes on packaging for warranty registration or feedback

Business cards

Add QR codes to business cards for contact surveys

Print advertisements

Include in flyers, posters, and magazine ads

Restaurant tables

Table tents with QR codes for feedback or ordering

Receipts

Print QR codes on receipts for surveys or reviews

Best practice: When using QR codes, include a short URL beneath the code as a fallback for users who cannot scan QR codes or prefer to type the URL manually.

Email sharing

Sharing surveys via email

Email is one of the most effective ways to share surveys. Simply paste the survey URL directly in your email to provide recipients with a link to fill out your survey.

Sharing surveys via email:

Copy your survey URL and paste it into your email. Add context and a clear call-to-action to encourage recipients to click the link. Alternatively, use single-use invitations to send personalized survey links with built-in email functionality.

Example email text:

"We'd love your feedback! Please take 2 minutes to complete our survey:
https://surveys.askusers.org/f/feedback"

Best practice: When sending surveys via email, personalize your message, explain why you're asking for feedback, and mention how long the survey takes to complete. This significantly improves response rates.

Privacy considerations

Important privacy notes

  • •Public surveys are accessible to anyone: Anyone with the link can access public surveys. Don't share sensitive information in public survey URLs.
  • •Single-use invitations expire after use: Ensure recipients understand that single-use invitation links can only be used once and cannot be shared.
  • •QR codes in public spaces: Be aware that QR codes on public displays can be scanned by anyone. Don't use them for sensitive or private surveys.
  • •Data collection notice: Always inform users what data you're collecting and how it will be used, especially for GDPR compliance.

Best practices

  • Use custom slugs for marketing campaigns: Create memorable, branded URLs for surveys used in advertising or marketing materials.
  • Test links before sharing widely: Always test your survey links to ensure they work correctly before distributing to your audience.
  • Include context when sharing: Explain why you're collecting information and what users can expect after submitting.
  • Use URL shorteners for long URLs: If your survey URL is long, consider using a URL shortener for easier sharing in print or social media.
  • Track sharing sources: Use UTM parameters in your survey URLs to track which sharing channels drive the most responses.
  • Optimize for mobile: Most users will access surveys on mobile devices. Ensure your survey is mobile-friendly before sharing.
  • Set expiration dates: For time-sensitive surveys, communicate clear deadlines when sharing to encourage timely responses.