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8 min

Survey panels vs expert network providers: What is the difference?

The difference between survey panels and expert network providers explained

GrapeData
Feb 7, 2023
B2B market research
B2C market research

Introduction

If you're ready to dig into the data, spend time with some of the best minds in your industry, or simply get a better understanding of how people feel about a particular topic, then expert network providers or surveys are for you. But which option is right for your business? In this post, we'll compare these two research methods so you can decide which one will be most beneficial for your organisation's next project.

What is an expert network?

An expert network is a way to connect with people who have specialised knowledge. Expert networks can be organised by industry, geography, or topic. The members of these communities tend to be experts in their field. They also have been working in the field for years.

Experts can often provide valuable insight on topics important to you as an entrepreneur or business owner. This is because they've been through similar challenges before and know what works best.

Experts are also great sources of information. In addition to providing knowledge, they can help you stay up-to-date on important industry trends and changes.

What is a survey panel?

A survey panel is a group of people who agree to take surveys for money, usually in exchange for points or rewards.

Survey panels are usually free to join, but some charge a fee to become a member. Once you're part of a survey panel, they will send you surveys that they want to be completed by their panellists (members). If you complete enough surveys, you can earn cash and other prizes like gift cards or even electronics! Some companies will even give out free products in exchange for completing their surveys!

There are many different types of survey panels out there so it's important that before signing up with one make sure it fits what you want out of them!

When do you need an expert network or survey panel?

While both expert networks and survey panels offer access to a large pool of respondents, each type of service is best suited for different situations.

For example, if you need in-depth research on a specific industry or demographic, an expert network may be more appropriate. On the other hand, if your goal is to quickly gather data from a wide range of people with minimal cost, then a survey panel might be better suited for your needs.

Additionally, some people may only be available through expert networks while others participate only in surveys offered by survey panels. So, it's important to consider what kind of expertise you're looking for when deciding between these two types of services!

If you're interested in learning more about either expert networks or survey panels, be sure to contact us today! We can help you determine which type of service is best for your needs. We can also provide access to the experts or respondents who will meet those requirements.

Survey panels and expert networks have different strengths and weaknesses that help you reach your research goals

If you're looking for a lot of people quickly, at an inexpensive cost, then survey panels are the way to go. They offer large numbers of participants at lower prices than expert networks do (though they may not be as high-quality).

Expert networks provide more in-depth knowledge. However, they may also come with higher costs than their survey panel counterparts. Additionally, they take longer to complete because there's more back and forth between companies and experts during the process.

Some of the weaknesses

Both survey panels and expert network providers connect you with pre-vetted, specialised individuals in a broad range of industries. However, there are some important differences between these two types of research companies that can affect your bottom line.

One key difference is cost: expert network providers tend to be more expensive than survey panels because they require more time to recruit participants and provide compensation for them. But if your budget allows for it, then an expert network might be the better option for recruiting participants with specific demographics or skill sets who are difficult to find through other methods like Google ads or social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook Ads Manager.

Survey panels give you access to a lot of people quickly and inexpensively. However, they can't provide the depth of knowledge that expert networks offer. Survey panels are great for getting a lot of people quickly and inexpensively. But they can't provide the depth of knowledge that expert network providers offer.

Expert networks take more time to set up and run, but they're also more expensive than survey panels.

Survey panels are best for gathering opinions or feedback from a wide range of sources

Expert network providers dig deeper into the background and expertise of each potential respondent. Survey panels are best for gathering opinions or feedback from a wide range of sources. Expert networks dig deeper into the background and expertise of each potential respondent.

Surveys can help you get a general idea of what people think about your product or service. However, expert network providers can provide in-depth information about your target audience's preferences, needs, and behaviours.

If you're looking for a more specific answer to your question than "what do most people think?" then an expert network is probably the better choice for you!

An expert network provider ensures that you speak to experts who have extensive experience in the topics you need insight on

The best ones will even screen their members and ensure they are qualified and relevant to your needs.

You should always look for an expert network provider that has access to a wide range of professionals. Additionally, they should be able to provide valuable information about your business or industry. Experts can be any of the following profiles:

  • Industry leaders
  • Subject matter experts (SMEs)
  • Thought leaders

Survey panels allow you to reach out to hundreds or thousands of people in a short period of time. With expert networks, you speak one-to-one with experts based on your specific requirements.

Survey panels are an excellent option if you need to reach out to hundreds or thousands of people in a short period of time. They're also cost-effective because they let you pay only for the responses that you receive.

However, if your requirements are more specific and require expert knowledge in a particular field, then an expert network may be better suited for your needs. Expert network providers are targeted at people who have worked within a certain industry for years. Therefore, they can provide valuable insights into specific problems related to that field.

Expert networks give you more targeted expertise than survey panels do, but are also more expensive and require more time

If you're looking for a more targeted profile, then an expert network provider might be the best choice for you. They can provide access to experts in very specific fields, including:

  • Technology
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Sales & Marketing

Survey panels are not the same as expert network providers.

There are many differences between survey panels and expert networks. However, the main difference is that companies pay survey panel members to complete surveys. On the other hand, expert network members receive compensation for sharing their knowledge and expertise on a particular topic with you.

For example, if you want feedback on your product or service from a large number of people quickly and inexpensively, then using a survey panel would make sense. This is because they allow companies to gather information from thousands of consumers at one time without having an extensive budget for research projects or hiring staff members who specialise in this area. However, if you need more in-depth knowledge about specific topics such as healthcare services available in different parts of America; then hiring an expert network might be better suited for your needs. The reason is that these platforms allow users to access exclusive content that experts create within their fields, such as doctors who specialise in treating patients suffering from diabetes.

Survey panels: multiple participants, varied experience

Survey panels are a great way to get a lot of feedback quickly and inexpensively. They allow you to gather opinions or feedback from a wide range of sources. This can be helpful if you're looking for a variety of perspectives on your product or service.

On the other hand, expert network providers usually have just one expert per industry who the company vets as a qualified participant in their panel. This means that you'll have less variation in experience among participants. However, it also means that those participants will likely have more relevant experience than those found on survey panels (since they were pre-selected).

Expert network providers: individual experts, with very specialised experience

Expert networks are similar to survey panels, but they provide you with access to a more specialised group of experts. The experts in expert networks have extensive experience in their field and can give you detailed advice on specific topics.

If you need specific information or advice about a particular subject, an expert network may be the best option for you. However, this type of service is generally more expensive than survey panels because it requires more time from each expert who participates in your project.

Survey panels provide diffused information; expert network providers give specific information

A survey panel is a platform that allows you to complete surveys in exchange for points or cash rewards. It's often used as an entry-level way to gain experience, but there are some differences between survey panels and expert networks.

For example, if you want to know how much money people spend on groceries each month, then you could answer questions about this on a survey platform. However, if your goal is more focused, say, getting into the mind of millennials who live in London, then hiring an expert network would be better suited for your needs because they offer targeted research opportunities.

This means that the former is a good option if you need to gather opinions from large groups of people. On the other hand, you may find the latter better suited for your needs if you're looking for more specialised information on a particular topic or industry.

That being said, both survey panels and expert networks have their pros and cons:

  • Survey Panels: Participants can complete surveys quickly and easily online with little effort required from your end; they also allow you to reach thousands of potential respondents at once (if they are relevant).
  • Expert Networks: These sites feature experts in their respective fields who provide advice on certain topics related directly back to those projects or products or services offered by paying clients.

Final thoughts on expert network providers

In-depth knowledge from expert networks can be vital for companies who need very specific information to answer critical questions about their own business practices and plans for the future.

An expert network is a service that connects businesses with experts in specific fields. These can be used to gain insight into your own business practices or plans. Or, you may find them useful for conducting research on competitors.

Expert networks can be especially helpful if you need very specific information to answer critical questions about your own business practices and plans for the future. A survey panel can also give you unique insights, but it doesn't offer as much depth as an expert network would provide.

Expert networks are more expensive than survey panels, as they require more time and effort to recruit participants. They also take longer to analyse results because of the in-depth knowledge that expert networks provide.

Expert networks are often used by companies that are looking for a more specific focus group. For example, if a company wants to know how people feel about the new design of their product packaging, they may use an expert network to recruit experts in the design field. The experts would then be asked to participate in a call that asks questions like “What do you think about the new package design for this product?”

Conclusion

In summary, expert network providers and survey panels are both great for gathering information about your target market. The key difference is in how much depth you need from each respondent. Expert network providers ensure that you speak to experts who have extensive experience in the topics you need insight on. While survey panels allow you to reach out to hundreds or thousands of people in a short period of time.

Interested in learning more about expert network providers? Check out: 6 Benefits of joining a global expert network to share expert insights.

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