SMDS Help Desk

Survey Links are used for capturing data from Individual Respondents. SMDS generates a unique URL which directs the Respondent to a web interface where they input responses. This user guide walks you through the process of configuring SMDS to generate a Survey Link. It is important to have all the required information easily accessible. For a list of required information used to create a Survey Link, review the user guide titled, Planning Your Distribution.

Select the Evaluation and Data Tool

1. To access Distributions, click on the drop-down menu icon in the upper right corner of the page. Hover over DISTRIBUTION and click on NEW DISTRIBUTION.
   
2. The Create Distribution page is displayed. Click within the text box labeled Name and type in the name of the Distribution.
   
3. Click within the text box labeled Description and type in a brief description of the Distribution.
   
4. For the field labeled Evaluation, click on the drop-down menu icon and click on the name of the Evaluation you want to use.
   
5. A list of Tools will appear for the field labeled Data Collection Tool. Click on the radio button for the Tool you want to use.
   

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   Please Note: The Expiration Date field may or may not display depending on the Evaluation and Data Tool you choose. It is strongly recommended you do not include an Expiration Date for your Distribution as it will disable the Survey Link and Distribution on the date entered, and cannot be changed once it has been set.

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6. Click on the button labeled Continue to Next Step which is located at the bottom of the page.
   

Configure the Survey Link Settings

1. The Survey Link page is displayed. For the field labeled Required Identification Fields, click on the radio button for your selection.
   
2. For the field labeled Email Address, click on the radio button for your selection.
   
3. For the field labeled Address Fields, click within the checkbox if you want the Address Fields to be displayed for the Respondent to complete.
   
4. For the field labeled GPS Coordinate Fields, click within the checkbox if you want the Latitude and Longitude coordinates displayed when a Respondent enters the address information.
   
5. For the custom Welcome message you want displayed for Respondents, click within the text box labeled English (Default) and type in the custom message. You can also copy the text from another document and paste it within the text box.
   
6. If your tool is available in additional languages, a welcome text field is displayed for each language. In this example, the tool is also available in Spanish. To add a Welcome message in Spanish, click within the text box labeled Spanish and type in the custom message. You can also copy the text from another document and paste it within the text box.
   
7. Click within the text box labeled Save and Continue Subject and type in the verbiage that will be displayed in the subject line of the email. If you choose not to create a custom subject line, the name of the Data Collection Tool will be displayed for the email.
   
8. For the field labeled Save and Continue Message, you have the option of using the default message displayed or you can click within the text box and edit the content. This message must include the Response Link. Position your cursor within the message field where you want the link displayed and click on Insert Response Link.
   
9. Click on the drop-down menu button labeled Preview and click on Open in Popup.
   
10. A popup window is displayed, showing the message. Close the window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.
    

Suggested Tips for the Survey Link

Using a URL Shortener

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a web address to a specific page or application. A URL shortener is used when the original URL is too long to embed in digital media or you do not want the actual URL displayed. A URL shortener generates a new, shorter URL that points to the web page.

For this example, we are using the URL shortener named TINYURL - https://tinyurl.com/ .

1. Access the Distribution Information page for the Survey Link you want to use. Within the section labeled Survey Link, click on the button labeled Copy Link to Clipboard.
   
2. A dialog box is displayed. Click on the button labeled Copy Link.
   
3. A message is displayed, confirming the link has been copied to your computer’s clipboard. Click on the button labeled OK.
    
4. Navigate to your browser window that displays the TINYURL website. Right-click within the field labeled Enter long link here. Left-click on Paste.
   
5. Click within the field labeled Enter alias and type in a unique identifier for your URL. Avoid using spaces in the alias.
   
6. Click on the button labeled Shorten URL.
   
7. Click on the button labeled Copy. A message will be displayed confirming that the shortened URL was copied to your computer’s clipboard.
   

We suggest you paste the shortened URL into a document that can be saved and used at a later time. Be sure to properly label the URL within the document, including a brief description as to which Distribution the URL points.

Using a QR Code Generator

A QR (Quick Response) Code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode that, when viewed with a smartphone camera, prompts your smartphone to access a web page or app. This is a great way to instantly put your Data Collection Tool (survey) into the hands of your Respondents.

For this example, we are using QR Code Generator - https://www.qr-code-generator.com.

1. Access the Distribution Information page for the Survey Link you want to use. Within the section labeled Survey Link, click on the button labeled Copy Link to Clipboard.
   
2. A dialog box is displayed. Click on the button labeled Copy Link.
   
3. A message is displayed, confirming the link has been copied to your computer’s clipboard. Click on the button labeled OK.
    
4. Navigate to your browser window that displays the QR Code Generator website. Right-click within the field labeled Enter your website, text or drop a file here. Left-click on Paste.
   
5. The generator instantly creates a QR Code, which is displayed on the right side of the webpage. Click on the button labeled DOWNLOAD.
   
6. A dialog box is displayed, stating that the QR Code is being generated.
   
7. A Save As dialog box is displayed, prompting you to save the PNG file. Navigate to a location on your computer to save the file. Click within the field labeled File name: and type in the name of the file. Click on the button labeled Save.
   

Now your QR Code image is ready toe used for post cards, door hangers, posters, etc. .