Market Research Survey Questions (+Free Template)

Before you build a product, set a price, or enter a market, a market research survey tells you what your audience actually wants — instead of what you assume. This guide gives you market research survey questions by goal, a free template, and tips to write questions that produce honest, useful answers.

Market research questions by goal

Understanding the problem

• What is the biggest challenge you face with [topic]?
• How do you currently solve this problem?
• How much time or money does this problem cost you?
• How satisfied are you with your current solution? (Likert)

Understanding the audience

• What best describes your role or situation? (multiple choice)
• What matters most to you when choosing a [product type]? (ranking)
• Where do you go to learn about products like this?

Testing a concept

• How appealing is this idea? (Likert)
• How likely would you be to use it? (Likert)
• What would stop you from using it?
• What would make it a must-have?

Testing price

• What would you expect to pay for this?
• At what price does it feel too expensive to consider?
• At what price does it feel so cheap you would question the quality?

Build a market research survey free with FormMaker

Free market research template

A solid starter flow:

1. A screening question to confirm the respondent fits your target.
2. Two or three problem questions to understand their pain.
3. A concept or product question with a Likert appeal rating.
4. One or two pricing questions.
5. An open field for anything else.
6. Optional demographics at the end.

Tips for unbiased research

• Avoid leading questions. "How much do you love this idea?" biases the answer. Ask neutrally.
• Separate stated from revealed preference. People overstate interest. Ask about past behavior, not just intent.
• Use ranking for priorities. Forcing a rank reveals real trade-offs better than rating everything "important."
• Screen your sample. Make sure respondents actually represent your target market.
• Keep it focused. A tight survey gets finished and gives cleaner data than a sprawling one.

From answers to decisions

Market research is only useful if it changes what you do. Look for strong, consistent signals — a problem many people share, a concept most find appealing, a price range that clusters. Treat weak or mixed signals with caution rather than reading into the noise.

Build your market research survey in minutes

In FormMaker, add a screening question, problem and concept questions with Likert ratings, and pricing questions, then keep demographics optional at the end. Publish it, share the link across your channels, and analyze results in your dashboard to guide your decision.

Create your survey free with FormMaker

FAQ

What questions should a market research survey ask?

Questions about the respondent's problem, their current solution, how appealing your concept is, what they would pay, and who they are. Match the questions to your specific research goal.

How do I avoid biased survey results?

Ask neutral, non-leading questions, screen for your real target audience, ask about past behavior rather than only intentions, and use ranking to reveal true priorities.

How many people should I survey?

Enough to see consistent patterns rather than noise. The right number depends on your market, but clear, repeated signals matter more than a single "right" sample size.

How do I test pricing in a survey?

Ask what people would expect to pay and at what points a price feels too high or suspiciously low. Look for where answers cluster to find a sensible range.