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To different people, survey hosting might mean a variety of things. At one end of the spectrum, it can refer to self-hosting utilizing installable market research software that allows users to create and conduct their surveys in a seamless integration within their company. At the opposite end of the spectrum, it might refer to a full-service survey solution whereby the survey company's staff programs and manages the research on its survey tool platform.
Regardless of the method, survey software is a practical survey tool for marketing, customer interactions, and data collection. Several options are available but, selecting the best one for your needs does not have to be complicated. This post examines differences in each approach and highlights some of the key considerations in deciding which survey hosting to opt for.
An Overview of the Hosting Options
Hosted survey software, also known as software as a service, or Saas, gives you easy access to hosting without the common expenses involved with maintenance. The hosted environment is structured to protect your business from time-consuming setups, making it possible to use the platform without unnecessary delay.
While many business entities are interested in the hosted (SaaS) option, there are organizations seeking self-hosted survey software solutions. A self-hosted alternative offers full access to your survey software while keeping it functional within an organization’s infrastructure.
Below is a comparative analysis of hosted survey software and self-hosted survey software:
Comparative Analysis of Hosted Survey Software and Self-Hosted survey software
Self-hosted survey software provides an extra benefit in customization and personalization. It provides you with full control over the data and the online survey software. You install it on your very own web server, and survey respondents access it from their own web browsers. You can collect survey responses by emailing personalized invitations, by posting a link on your social media account, or by embedding the survey onto your website.
With a hosted survey software solution, you do not have to install the software. All you need is a web browser to access the survey and data from anywhere. Data is encrypted, available 24/7, and can be exported in real-time.
Both are simple to set up. The hosted survey software solution provides you with instant access. Self-survey software integration requires installation on your part, but also comes with free software updates. The self-hosted option has the potential to be seamlessly integrated with your existing cloud infrastructure, while you can also realize total branding of colors and logs with the hosted survey solution too.
Conclusion
Choosing between a self-hosted solution and SaaS does not have to be a complex process. Both solutions have their advantages.
The good news is that Novi Survey provides you with both options, with both hosted online surveys (use our own hosting tool) and self-hosted survey software (you install on your own server). We can help you decide the best solution for your needs. Give us a call at 781-547-7739.
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