WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps globally, and its features go beyond just texting. One of its useful features is the ability to create a poll. Whether you’re a small business owner seeking customer feedback, a student organizing a group activity, or just someone looking to make group decisions easier, WhatsApp polls can be a great tool.
This guide provides a simple, step-by-step approach to creating a poll in WhatsApp.
Why Use a WhatsApp Poll?
– Quick Decision-Making: Get instant responses from your group members.
– User Engagement: Engage customers, employees, or friends in an interactive way.
– Market Research: Gather opinions from your target audience.
– Event Planning: Easily decide on meeting times, locations, or activity choices.
Methods to Create a Poll in WhatsApp
WhatsApp does not have a built-in poll feature in personal or group chats. However, you can create a poll in three ways:
1. Using WhatsApp’s In-App Poll Feature (WhatsApp Business & Communities)
2. Using Third-Party Websites & Apps
3. Using Google Forms for Advanced Polls
Let’s explore each method in detail.
Method 1: Using WhatsApp’s In-App Poll Feature
(This method works for WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Communities.)
Steps:
1. Open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
2. Go to a Group or Community Chat where you want to create the poll.
3. Tap on the Attachment Icon (📎) or Plus Icon (+) in iPhone.
4. Select “Poll” from the menu.
5. Enter your question in the “Ask a question” field.
6. Add answer options (You can add multiple choices for respondents to select from.)
7. Tap “Send” to share the poll with the group.
8. Monitor Responses: Group members can vote, and results update in real time.
✅ Pros: Easy to use, real-time results, built-in feature.
❌ Cons: Available only in group chats and not for personal messages.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Poll Websites & Apps
(Works for all types of chats, including personal messages and groups.)
Popular Third-Party Polling Websites & Apps:
– Polls for WhatsApp (Google Play Store app)
– StrawPoll (https://strawpoll.com/)
– PollsGo (https://pollsgo.com/)
– Opinion Stage (https://www.opinionstage.com/)
Steps:
1. Visit a poll-making website or open a poll app.
2. Sign up (if required).
3. Enter your poll question and answer choices.
4. Generate the poll link.
5. Copy and paste the link into your WhatsApp chat.
6. Ask recipients to vote by clicking on the link.
7. Check results on the poll website.
✅ Pros: Works for all types of chats, including private messages.
❌ Cons: Requires an external website/app, and participants need to open a link.
Method 3: Using Google Forms for Advanced Polls
(For businesses and professional use.)
Steps:
1. Open Google Forms (https://forms.google.com/).
2. Click on the “Blank Form” option.
3. Enter your poll question.
4. Choose “Multiple Choice” or “Checkboxes” as the answer type.
5. Add answer options.
6. Enable “Allow Multiple Responses” (optional).
7. Click on the “Send” button.
8. Copy the generated link and share it in WhatsApp.
9. Monitor responses through Google Forms.
✅ Pros: Ideal for detailed surveys, analytics available.
❌ Cons: More complex, requires opening a web browser.
Best Practices for Creating Effective WhatsApp Polls
– Keep the question clear and simple.
– Limit answer choices to avoid confusion.
– Encourage participation by keeping it short.
– Set a deadline for responses if required.
– Use emojis to make the poll more engaging.
Conclusion
Creating a poll in WhatsApp is a great way to collect opinions quickly. Whether you use WhatsApp’s built-in feature, third-party tools, or Google Forms, each method has its advantages. Choose the one that best fits your needs and start engaging with your audience effectively!
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