User experience and process improvement have cross-over in multiple areas, the use of surveys and their effectiveness being a direct example of this. A process, is something that is often experienced by a user. Whether that user is a customer, employee, or external partner their experience is important for a successful business. Now let’s analyze the UX of surveys in relation to their use for user feedback;
Do progress bars improve or hinder one’s experience with surveys?
Surveys are a great tool for gathering user feedback and are often used in user testing stages of process improvement.
Survey Monkey recently completed a test to answer the questions; Are progress bars deterring users from actually completing surveys OR are they effectively bettering the user experience?
Progress bars can be designed in a variety of ways on a survey. They can be placed at the top of the page, or the bottom. They can show page numbers or a general progression. We have all completed at least one survey in our lives, and if anything you have experienced a progress bar in another digital application.
The results showed that progress bars located at the bottom with visual scales showed the most consistently positive results. Although all in all the difference across the board from having a progress bar to not at all to where they were located, really only had an impact of a few percent. Yet, when it comes to engagement sometimes even the smallest wins hold a lot of weight.
Personally, I feel that progress bars improve my user experience, as it encourages me that I am almost done and the survey won’t take long. But at the end of the day if a survey is super lengthy I am most likely going to give up. So maybe the lesson is that long surveys don’t include the progression because it will only deter the user or maybe that’s just me! What do you think?
Sources:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/progress-bars-good-bad-survey-survey-says/
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erickpf_research-ux-design-activity-6810236183294152704-Ef_8
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