Online Surveys - How do you get them out there?

[CharlieB]

Hi

I want to do some market research and i'm thinking of using online surveys as my business will be an online one. Im considering using Create Free Online Surveys and Questionnaires and i've looked at a few others but i'm wondering how to get them out there for people to answer them.

So far i've found there are 2 options: Emailing them - however I wouldn't know how to get the right people's email addresses (advice appreciated) or - Having them on a website - i'm not sure which websites to target (or whether I can use forums and message boards or not) and how much it costs to have surveys on a website. Again advice appreciated.

Which is the best way?

Many Thanks

Charlie

[AmbitionLab]

The most successful research data is collected from advertising campaigns that offer incentives to users who provide the data (giveaways, for example). I understand that OKCupid.com, a dating site, gets some of their revenue from selling the data that they compile. Without being able to offer incentives or tie your research campaign in with an advertising campaign, you may find it difficult to collect a large volume of data.

Is the data you're looking for already being aggregated by other entities? The easiest way to get the data you want in a volume that will be useful to you is to find someone that's already collected it and see if they'd be willing to share it (and for what cost).

Otherwise it may take quite a while to collect it.

[CharlieB]

o.k so if im planning my first business, should I go out and collect market research or use my gut feeling to make a choice on wether its feasible? If I did collect data, i need it to be specific to me, so would have to collect it myself so where would be the best place to get hold of email addresses or can I place my questionnaire on forums?

Thanks