Decide what information you are trying to find, and be specific in your goals. If your questions are too general, the questions your survey will become overly long, too complex and too boring for the participants, which will negatively affect your results. Define your goals clearly.
Keep it short. Short surveys are generally more effective because more people are willing to participate in them. (See Reference 1) In shorter surveys, people tend to respond with greater interest, and results are easier to calculate.
Structure and word your questions correctly. Avoid two types of questions. The first are leading questions, those constructed so that people will give a certain answer. Try to remain as objective as you can. Second, avoid confusing questions. Use simple language and ask for simple answers. Multiple-choice questions are excellent, as is asking people to rate their feelings on a scale of 1 to 10.
Plan the layout of the questionnaire. Try to group questions on a similar topic. Begin with easier or gentler questions, then follow with more difficult questions at the end. To help your participants relax and feel confident, ask them to answer questions about themselves first.
Test the questionnaire on a couple of friends first. Use this to gauge how people will deal with the questionnaire and how easy it will be to determine the results. You may find omissions in your questionnaire or find that some questions require more or fewer details. Redesign your questionnaire based on your findings, then release it to the public.