Understanding the Differences Between Web Polls and Text Polls

Whether your next presentation or event is in-person or happening remotely, it’s important to understand the differences between web polls and text polls to help you choose the right live polling option for you.

Web polls

Web polls are convenient when your audience has internet access either on their smartphone or their computer. Typically, the link is clickable, making it as effortless as possible for your audience to participate.

In some presentations, links to web polls are included in PowerPoint presentations that the audience has access to. Other times, they might receive an email with a link to the poll for easy access.

Text polls

When internet access isn’t available or participants don’t have smartphones, text polling is a great option for live polling. Your audience can text a short, simple number a numerical or word response, and their input can be collected the same way it is for web polling.

With SMS or text polling from Swift Polling, you’ll have your own dedicated phone number with a local area code (based on availability) where respondents can send their response. You can even send a link to a presentation, a coupon, or mention a sponsor with a custom SMS reply back.

Live polling in PowerPoint presentations

If your presentation includes a PowerPoint presentation, consider embedding your poll directly into your PowerPoint. This is a great feature offered by Swift Polling, and participants can visit a link or text a number included in a slide to participate.

If you choose Swift Polling for your live polling needs, you’ll know your audience has fast access to any of your polls. Remember: accessibility is key with live polling! The easier it is for your audience to participate, the more likely you’ll get more engagement and responses.

To make it even easier to participate, it’s useful to offer your audience a variety of ways to take part in your polls! So rather than choosing between web polls and SMS polls, why not offer both?