Google Forms - the modern way of interaction

With Google Forms for Business (or simply Google Forms), Google offers an intuitive and powerful tool with which users can quickly create and evaluate meaningful surveys. But what possibilities do the flexible forms offer in detail?

Google Forms is part of all editions of Google Workspace. The cloud-based tool for forms and surveys is thus available to both private users and companies of all sizes, as well as self-employed and business people. With Google Forms for Business as the enterprise version, online surveys can be created in no time - for sending via email, sharing via social media channels or live as part of events. The results can be immediately analyzed and graphically prepared in real time.

Google Forms: practically without administrative effort

End users can use Google Forms as a self-service, because the web service can be used intuitively without training. But if users want more information to get started as easily as possible, the manufacturer helps with a short Google Forms tutorial on YouTube that explains the first steps.

For IT administrators, Google Forms entail practically no additional administrative effort. In the central control of the Google Admin Console, Google Forms do not even appear with separate options. The smart forms are included in the Drive and Docs service. If the service is activated for users or groups, Google Forms are automatically available at https://docs.google.com via the hamburger menu at the top left of the page, in addition to the three Office apps Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. From the website, users can create a new Google Forms survey or edit an existing Google Form.

For a new project, you can either start with an empty form or select a suitable type from the template gallery. This is divided into two areas. On the one hand, Google itself provides ideas for various use cases in the general section. On the other hand, Google Forms for Business integrates an internal area to which users can send their own forms and thus make them available as templates for all other users.

Why Google Forms for Business?

With Google Forms, surveys and forms integrate seamlessly into the familiar working environment of Google Workspace. In the design view, users determine the appearance of a form in terms of colors and fonts and build their question catalog step by step. They can choose between free-text fields, multiple-choice questions, multiple selections with checkboxes or dropdown fields, each with a predefined list of options.

You can also offer users to upload files via the Google forms and use other elements. These include ratings with a scale of 1 to 5 possible points as well as grids, again in the form of multiple choice questions or multiple selections with checkboxes. In addition, selection elements for dates and times are available. Text and video modules can be incorporated and more extensive Google forms can be divided into sections.

In the settings, users can implement a survey for a quiz by setting points for correctly answered questions. Furthermore, they determine whether Google should collect the email addresses of the participants and whether users are allowed to edit their answers afterwards. Alternatively, a Google Forms survey is completely anonymous and allows participants from outside the company and trusted organizations if desired. Once the Google Form is completed, it can be shared via the "Send" button either by email, by link (optionally with URL shortener), as an iframe element embedded in HTML, or via Facebook and Twitter.

Unlike Gmail, Meet, Docs or Drive, Google Forms does not require a separate app. It is a pure web application with a responsive design that works very well on devices of any display size. Users can therefore participate comfortably from any client.

Originators of a survey receive immediate graphically prepared feedback in the web view. Diagrams for all questions provide an overview, including detailed evaluations per question as well as individual views of each completed form (see cover image).

Multiple use cases for Google Forms

The Google forms help with interactive communication with employees in your own company as well as with customers or project partners. The template gallery provides ideas for your own forms, and there are virtually no limits to the possible applications: Registration for an event, feedback during and after an event, evaluation of presentations and trainings or even competitions.

In all cases, Google Forms meets the same strict privacy commitments and regulations that apply to all Google Workspace services, and users retain control over all their data.

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