29 Shopping Survey Questions to Boost Customer Insights

Discover 25 sample shopping survey questions to improve customer insights, boost satisfaction, and optimize your retail strategy today.

Shopping Survey Questions template

heysurvey.io

Shopping Survey Questions: Templates, Examples & Best Practices

Ready to unlock insights that drive real revenue? Shopping survey questions are your shortcut to understanding your customers, improving products, and boosting your bottom line. Whether you’re a retailer, e-commerce leader, or scrappy DTC startup, these questions turn everyday shoppers into your best source of business intelligence. You’ll discover how product survey questions, post-purchase survey questions, and clever retail shopping experience surveys can help at every stage of the shopper journey. Let’s dive in—with sample questions for every need, plus expert tips so you’ll never struggle to write your next survey again.

Introduction: Why & When Shopping Survey Questions Drive Revenue

Think of shopping surveys as the fastest way to truly listen to your customers.

They’re the secret weapon for everyone from major retailers to brand-new DTC launches. Studies show 82% of consumers want retailers to act on their survey feedback, and those who listen win more repeat business.

Here’s the thing—every step of the shopping experience has its own must-ask questions.

Before the purchase, you want to know what shoppers need. During the purchase, you look for friction points. After the purchase, you need to hear what went right (or wrong).

The big moments? - Pre-purchase (discovery and consideration) - In-store or online (active shopping) - Post-purchase (unboxing and beyond)

Coming up, we break down the eight smartest shopping survey types at every stage, including pre-purchase product survey questions, post-purchase survey questions, and more. Each section is packed with copy-paste sample questions. Get ready—insights are only a few clicks away.

Nearly 70% of consumers spend 37% more when brands deliver consistent, personalized shopping experiences—underlining how effective survey-informed insights can boost revenue (Deloitte).

shopping survey questions example

Sure! Here are the simple instructions for creating your survey with HeySurvey, using the template below:


How to Create Your Survey in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Create a New Survey

    • Click the “Use This Template” button below these instructions to start your survey instantly.
    • When prompted, give your survey an internal name to help you identify it later.
  2. Add Your Questions

    • Use the Survey Editor that appears to add, change, or remove questions.
    • Click “Add Question” to choose the question type (e.g., choice, text, scale).
    • Edit question texts, add images, adjust answer options, and mark questions as required as needed.
  3. Publish Your Survey

    • When you’re ready, click “Publish”.
    • To publish and collect responses, you’ll be asked to sign in or create a free account.
    • Once published, you’ll get a shareable survey link (or an embed code for your website).

Bonus Steps for a Custom and Powerful Survey

  • Apply Branding: Click the logo area (top left in the editor) to upload your own logo, or open the Designer Sidebar (on the right) to set colors, fonts, and background images.
  • Define Survey Settings: Open the Settings Panel to:
    • Set start/end dates
    • Limit responses
    • Add a redirect URL for survey completion
    • Allow respondents to view results (where supported)
  • Organize into Branches: For more advanced logic, set up branches or alternate endings based on participant answers (available within question settings in the editor).

Ready to Begin?

Just click the button below to start your survey with this template!


For more detailed information about HeySurvey’s features, scroll down for a complete guide.


Tip: You can experiment with all features before creating an account, but you’ll need to sign up to publish or access results.

Pre-Purchase / Product Discovery Survey (AKA Product Survey Questions)

Why & When to Use

Curious what customers really want before they buy? Product survey questions are where you start.

You use these surveys before a product launches or when you’re thinking about additions—whether you’re a product manager or an ambitious merchandiser.

Great for DTC brands, these shopper survey questions shorten your time-to-market and tell you if you’ve truly nailed product-market fit.

Plus, you learn which features matter most so you don’t waste time or money on the stuff no one cares about.

Here’s the thing: product survey questions examples map naturally to your product feedback survey.

Want inspiration? Check out these ready-to-use questions.

5 Sample Questions

  1. Which problem are you hoping our product will solve?

  2. How did you first hear about this item?

  3. Which features are must-have, nice-to-have, or unnecessary?

  4. What’s the maximum price you would pay for this product?

  5. Rank the following product images by appeal (1–5).

Every product feedback survey should start with these basics. Try mixing and matching questions for different launches. Bonus: slip these queries into online polls, social posts, or even Instagram stories for real-time validation.

Open‑ended product discovery survey questions reveal that 77 % of online shoppers don’t know what they want until they encounter it, making exploration prompts vital for pre‑purchase research Specific

In-Store Shopping Experience Survey (Retail Shopping Experience Survey)

Why & When to Use

You want to make your retail experience stand out? Store surveys are your best friend.

They give you instant feedback on what’s working and what isn’t—from store layout to staff helpfulness. Retailers use these to improve the classic 3S trifecta: speed, service, and satisfaction.

Here’s the thing—real-time shopper insights can pinpoint everything from crowded aisles to confusing promos. Plus, with a survey kiosk or a QR code by the exit, it’s easy to capture honest, immediate responses from every customer leaving your store.

Whether you manage one boutique or a national chain, a strong retail shopping experience survey will help you optimize every trip your shoppers make.

5 Sample Questions

  1. How satisfied were you with the store’s cleanliness today?

  2. How long did you wait before a staff member offered help?

  3. Which department was hardest to find?

  4. Rate the clarity of our in-store promotions.

  5. How likely are you to return to this store within the next month?

Remind your shoppers your store surveys are quick, and let them know their voice matters. For a fun twist, consider a small reward for those who share their feedback—maybe a discount on their next visit or a secret deal only for survey stars.

Online Shopping Usability Survey (Survey Questionnaire About Online Shopping)

Why & When to Use

Clicks can tell you a lot, but online shopping survey questions reveal so much more.

After a shopper has interacted with your website, a usability survey helps discover hidden hurdles in their buying journey. Whether you’re a CRO pro or a UX enthusiast, these surveys follow up after a session recording, live chat, or even an A/B test.

On top of that, using multiple choice questions for online shopping survey makes it easy for users to respond lightning-fast—even on mobile.

Identify what’s working, what’s not, and where your website’s experience feels like a party (or a traffic jam).

5 Sample Questions

  1. How easy was it to locate the product you wanted?

  2. Which payment options did you look for but couldn’t find?

  3. Did any page take longer than 3 seconds to load?

  4. What almost stopped you from completing your purchase?

  5. On a scale of 1–10, how visually appealing is our website?

Mix in quick polls and A/B test these on your thank-you page, in-app, or within live chat follow-ups. Make the survey itself frictionless—a smooth experience that mirrors your ideal site!

A study found that improving website usability and mobile optimization significantly boosts customer satisfaction, which then increases e-commerce sales conversion rates (esj.eastasouth-institute.com)

Post-Purchase Feedback & NPS Survey (Post-Purchase Survey Questions)

Why & When to Use

You just made a sale? Don’t let that relationship go cold—post-purchase survey questions are the key to building lifelong fans.

These surveys, sent 1–3 days after delivery, measure product satisfaction, track shipping delights (or disasters), and reveal who’ll help spread the word about your brand.

Capture what really matters most for customer retention and future sales.

Customers have a fresh, honest take right after they receive their purchase. Use this moment to get rich, actionable feedback that can drive tweaks to your offering.

Plus, blend these shopper survey questions into your standard NPS process for deeper insight.

5 Sample Questions

  1. How satisfied are you with the product quality?

  2. Did your order arrive earlier, on time, or later than expected?

  3. On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend us to a friend?

  4. What was missing from your unboxing experience?

  5. Which other products would you like us to offer?

Make it easy for shoppers to share photos with their feedback for bonus engagement! There’s gold in those stories and suggestions—use it to improve your post-purchase experience and nurture happy, loyal customers.

Cart Abandonment & Drop-Off Survey

Why & When to Use

Watching shoppers leave with full carts and empty hands? That’s when a cart abandonment survey swoops in to save your conversion day.

Use exit-intent pop-ups or post-session emails to find out exactly what made them hesitate at checkout. No one likes guesswork—so go straight to the source!

These shopping survey questions zoom in on last-minute doubts, surprises, or frustrations.

Unlocking these insights means fewer abandoned carts, more recovered sales, and smarter follow-ups with exactly the right offer next time.

Plus, you catch sneaky site bugs or confusing policies before they become a widespread problem.

5 Sample Questions

  1. What stopped you from completing your purchase today?

  2. Was the final price higher than anticipated?

  3. Which payment or shipping option did you need but not see?

  4. How confident were you in our return policy?

  5. What could we improve to earn your business next time?

Keep your questions concise—that way, shoppers don’t feel grilled while they’re on the go. Maybe even promise a cheeky discount if they finish the survey (HeySurvey is always free, forever, so you can ask as many as you want!).

Price Sensitivity & Promotion Effectiveness Survey

Why & When to Use

Curious what actually nudges your shoppers to buy? A price sensitivity survey makes your next sale or promo a surefire hit.

Retailers and e-commerce teams use these surveys to test pricing tiers, bundles, and deals before launching big campaigns. You protect your margins and avoid pricing flops.

Plus, gauging which discounts excite shoppers most means you’re not burning profits on offers nobody wants.

A well-timed shopper survey prevents wasted effort and unlocks higher revenue per customer all year round.

Mix these with your other shopping surveys for the ultimate promo playbook.

5 Sample Questions

  1. At what price would this product be too expensive to consider?

  2. Which of these promo types do you find most appealing? (BOGO, 20% off, free shipping, loyalty points)

  3. How often do you wait for a sale before buying similar items?

  4. Rank these subscription prices from most to least attractive.

  5. Which competitor offers better value for the same product category?

Keep your eyes open—survey answers might reveal surprising promo preferences! Use the feedback to fine-tune pricing and roll out irresistible deals your customers have actually asked for.

Loyalty & Repeat Shopper Survey (Shopper Survey)

Why & When to Use

Want to keep shoppers coming back? Loyalty surveys are the ticket to growing repeat business and turning shoppers into true fans.

If 25% or more of your audience buys again and again, you’ll want to know what keeps them hooked (and what makes them wander).

These shopper survey questions don’t just spot churn—they uncover what makes rewards or memberships irresistible.

Plus, find out when savvy shoppers might jump to a competitor or what would convince them to upgrade to a subscription model.

Treat this survey like your personalized roadmap to shopper happiness.

5 Sample Questions

  1. What motivates you to shop with us again?

  2. Which loyalty rewards would you actually redeem?

  3. How does our customer support compare with competitors?

  4. How likely are you to upgrade to a subscription model?

  5. What would make you switch to another retailer?

Add a playful twist: let shoppers suggest whimsical new rewards or perks! Their creativity may surprise you—and inspire the next big loyalty program.

Competitive Benchmark & Brand Perception Survey

Why & When to Use

Want to know how your brand stacks up? Competitive benchmark surveys deliver the real scoop.

By measuring how people view your brand versus others, you get a clear path to grabbing more market share. Pair this up with syndicated retail survey questions for industry-wide comparison.

Shoppers are honest about what comes to mind first. That could be your packaging, your speedy shipping, or your legendary support.

Understand what makes your fans cheer and your critics grumble—then refine your strategy until you’re everyone’s top choice.

These surveys are worth their weight in gold for marketing teams plotting the next big move.

5 Sample Questions

  1. Which of the following brands do you associate with “premium quality”?

  2. Rank these retailers by trustworthiness.

  3. When you think of [brand], what three words come to mind?

  4. Who offers the best post-purchase support, in your opinion?

  5. How likely are you to try a new brand if it matches our price?

Simple, sharp, and always enlightening! Use a few open-ended questions to gather the unexpected. Your next best brand campaign may start with a single customer’s candid line.

Dos and Don’ts: Best Practices for High-Performing Shopping Surveys

Getting the right answers starts with asking the right way. The dos and don’ts of shopping survey questions are your shortcut.

Dos:

  • Keep it short and sweet (under 3 minutes max)
  • Use clear, simple language so nobody gets confused
  • Segment surveys by where the customer is in their journey
  • Offer a reward or fun perk to boost completion rates
  • Make sure your survey looks great and works fast on any phone

Don’ts:

  • Don’t write questions that pack in two ideas at once (double-barreled, beware!)
  • Don’t demand sensitive personal info unless you truly need it
  • Avoid questions that hint at “right” answers—stay neutral
  • Skip the survey fatigue by not sending too many in a row
  • Never ignore negative feedback—there’s magic in fixing problems

Want pro-level usage? FAQ sections for each survey type can help your questions show up in search results, giving your brand more visibility online.

Remember: you can just copy-paste the questions in each section, or download a ready-to-use template. It’s your call—easy, fast, and zero stress.

Turn your surveys into action, delight your shoppers, and watch your business thrive.

Your eight essential survey types—from product survey questions to competitive benchmarking—are all here. But the secret to success? Taking action on every insight.

When you act on feedback, you turn curious browsers into superfans. Drop your favorite retail survey questions in the comments. Let’s make shopping survey questions your top growth hack.

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