Polls in WhatsApp: 5 Steps & By Using 7 Third Party Apps

WhatsApp, with its wide user base and versatile features, allows users to create polls in WhatsApp effortlessly, making decision-making and gathering opinions simpler and more interactive. In this article, we’ll explore the process of creating polls on WhatsApp and delve into strategies for maximizing their effectiveness.

Polls In WhatsApp

WhatsApp polls are a convenient way to gather feedback, opinions, and preferences from individuals or groups. Whether you’re planning an event, conducting market research, or simply seeking input from friends or colleagues, polls enable seamless communication and engagement.

Benefits of Using WhatsApp Polls

WhatsApp polls offer several benefits:
Engagement: Polls encourage active participation and interaction among users.
Decision Making: Polls help streamline decision-making processes by collecting instant feedback.
Feedback Gathering: They provide valuable insights into preferences, opinions, and trends.
Ease of Use: Creating and sharing polls on WhatsApp is simple and intuitive.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Polls in WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat where you want to create the poll.

2. Tap on the attachment icon (+) and select “Poll.”

3. Enter your poll question and provide options for respondents to choose from.

4. Set the duration of the poll (optional).
5. Tap “Send” to share the poll with the selected chat or group.

Popular Third-Party Apps for Creating Polls in WhatsApp

Here are some reliable third-party apps that you can use to create polls for WhatsApp:

1. Doodle
2. Straw Poll
3. Poll Everywhere
4. SurveyMonkey
5. Google Forms
6. Typeform
7. Opinion Stage

Using Doodle

Doodle is a popular scheduling tool that also allows users to create polls for any purpose. It’s particularly useful for finding a common meeting time that works for everyone.

Features:

• Easy poll creation with multiple options
• Allows setting deadlines for responses
• Sends reminders to participants
• Provides detailed analytics

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit Doodle: Go to the Doodle website (www.doodle.com) or download the Doodle app on your smartphone.
2. Create a Doodle Account: Sign up for a free Doodle account if you don’t have one.
3. Create a Poll: Click on “Create a Doodle” and follow the prompts to set up your poll. You can add your poll questions and options and specify deadlines if needed.
4. Generate Poll Link: Doodle will create a link for your poll once it’s ready.
5. Share the link: Copy the link and share it in your WhatsApp chat. Participants can click the link to cast their votes.

Using Straw Poll

Straw Poll is an online polling tool that is known for its simplicity and effectiveness. It’s a great option for quick and easy poll creation.

Features:

• Fast poll setup
• Customizable poll options
• Provides a unique link for sharing
• Real-time results tracking

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit Straw Poll: Go to the Straw Poll website (www.strawpoll.me).
2. Create a poll: On the homepage, enter your poll question and options. Straw Poll allows you to add multiple options and even set advanced settings like captcha verification to avoid spam.
3. Generate Poll Link: After setting up your poll, click “Create Poll.”. The Straw Poll will generate a unique link for your poll.
4. Share the link: Copy the generated link and paste it into your WhatsApp group chat. Group members can then click on the link to vote.

Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere is an advanced polling tool that can be used in various settings, including educational and professional environments. It’s versatile and highly interactive.

Features:

• • Supports various types of polls (multiple choice, open-ended, etc.)
  • Integrates with presentation tools like PowerPoint
  • Real-time response collection
  • Detailed reporting and analytics

SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is a comprehensive survey tool that can also be used to create polls. It’s ideal for more detailed and extensive polling needs.

Features:

• • Extensive question types and customization options
  • Detailed analytics and reporting
  • Easy sharing through links
  • Supports anonymous voting

Google Forms

Google Forms is a free tool from Google that allows you to create detailed surveys and polls. It’s highly customizable and integrates seamlessly with other Google services.

Features:

• • Various question types (multiple choice, checkboxes, etc.)
  • Customizable themes and settings
  • Real-time response collection and analytics
  • Easy sharing through links

Typeform

Typeform is known for its visually appealing and interactive forms and polls. It’s an excellent tool for creating engaging and user-friendly polls.

Features:

• • Beautiful and interactive design
  • Various question types and customization options
  • Detailed analytics
  • Easy to share and integrate

Opinion Stage

Opinion Stage is a versatile polling tool that allows you to create engaging polls, quizzes, and surveys. It’s great for interactive content.

Features:

• • Customizable design
  • Multiple question types
  • Real-time response collection
  • Detailed reporting and analytics

How to Use These Tools to Create Polls in WhatsApp

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Choose a tool: Select one of the tools from the list above that best suits your needs.
• Create a poll: Follow the instructions on the chosen tool’s platform to create your poll. Customize the questions and options as needed.
• Generate a Shareable Link: Once your poll is created, the tool will provide a unique link to the poll.
• Share on WhatsApp: Open your WhatsApp chat or group where you want to share the poll. Paste the link into the chat and send it.
• Monitor Responses: Use the tool’s analytics and reporting features to track the responses and results of your poll.

Crafting Engaging Poll Questions

When crafting poll questions, consider the following:

• Keep questions clear, concise, and relevant.
• Offer multiple-choice options to cater to diverse preferences.
• Ensure questions are engaging and encourage participation.

Sharing a Poll

1. Via Link:
   • Copy the link to your poll from the tool you used.
   • Open WhatsApp and go to the group or individual chat where you want to share the poll.
   • Paste the link into the chat and send it.
2. Direct Integration (if available):
   • Some polling tools offer direct integration with WhatsApp. Follow the instructions provided by the tool to share the poll directly within WhatsApp.

Managing Poll Responses

1. View Responses:
   • Google Forms: Go to the Responses tab in your Google Form to see the results. You can also view summary charts or individual responses.
   • Polls for WhatsApp: Check the poll link to see real-time results.
   • Doodle: Log in to Doodle and view the poll results in your account.
   •  
2. Analyze Results:
   • Most tools provide visual summaries (e.g., pie charts, and bar graphs) to help you quickly understand the results.
   • For detailed analysis, export the data to a spreadsheet if the tool supports it.

Analyzing Poll Results

After the poll duration expires, WhatsApp provides detailed insights into poll results, including the number of responses and the distribution of votes for each option. Analyzing these results helps conclude and inform decision-making processes.

Tips for Effective Polls

• Clear and Concise Questions

Ensure your poll questions are straightforward to understand. This helps in getting accurate responses.

• Limit Options

To avoid overwhelming your participants, try to limit the number of options in your poll to a reasonable number.

• Encourage Participation

Prompt your group members to participate in the poll. Sometimes, a little nudge can help increase engagement.

• Follow Up

Once the poll is closed, follow up with the results and any decisions or actions based on the poll. This shows participants that their input is valued.

Using Polls for Decision-Making

WhatsApp polls serve as valuable tools for making informed decisions in various contexts, such as event planning, product development, and team collaboration. By leveraging poll results, users can gauge sentiment, prioritize options, and reach consensus effectively.

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Best Practices for WhatsApp Polls

• Regularly engage with poll participants to maintain interest and momentum.
• Experiment with different question formats and options to optimize engagement.
• Respect participants’ privacy and preferences by ensuring anonymity if necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating polls on WhatsApp is a simple yet powerful way to gather feedback, make decisions, and foster engagement within communities and groups. By following best practices and leveraging the platform’s features, users can harness the full potential of WhatsApp polls to drive meaningful interactions and insights.

FAQ’s