How to Use Tally for Founders

Founders need fast feedback loops. Tally lets you build a form in minutes, collect data without code, and export results for analysis. This guide walks you through every step—from account creation to embedding the form on your landing page—so you can start gathering insights today.

Table of Contents

• 1. Create a Tally account and set up your first form
• 2. Choose the right question types for startup research
• 3. Add conditional logic and calculations
• 4. Brand your form and make it mobile‑friendly
• 5. Embed the form on your website or product demo
• 6. Connect Tally to your tools (Zapier, Slack, Google Sheets)
• 7. Compare Tally plans for growing startups

1. Create a Tally account and set up your first form

1.1 Sign up for free

Visit tally.so and click “Sign up”. You can use Google, GitHub, or an email address. No credit card is required for the free tier.

1.2 Start a new form

After logging in, click the blue “+ New Form” button. Tally opens a blank canvas with a default “Untitled Form”. Rename it to something specific, like “Beta User Survey”.

Form Title: Beta User Survey
Description: Collect feedback from our first 100 users.

1.3 Save and preview

Press Ctrl+S (or click the floppy‑disk icon) to save. Click “Preview” to see how the form looks on desktop and mobile.

2. Choose the right question types for startup research

2.1 Multiple choice

Best for quick validation. Example:

Which feature would you use first?
- Dashboard
- Reporting
- Export

2.2 Rating scale

Use a 5‑point Likert scale to measure satisfaction.

Rate the onboarding experience (1 = very poor, 5 = excellent)

2.3 Open‑ended text

Gather qualitative insights. Limit to 200 characters to keep answers focused.

What is the biggest obstacle you face when using our product?

2.4 File upload

Ask beta users to upload screenshots or PDFs. The free plan allows up to 10 MB per file.

3. Add conditional logic and calculations

3.1 Show/Hide questions

Click a field, select “Logic”, then “Show this field if”. Example: Show “Which reporting format?” only if the user selects “Reporting”.

3.2 Calculated fields

Tally can sum numeric answers. Use it to calculate a “Readiness Score”.

Score = (Feature A rating + Feature B rating) / 2

4. Brand your form and make it mobile‑friendly

4.1 Add a logo

In “Settings → Appearance”, upload a PNG logo (max 200 KB). Choose a brand color that matches your primary brand hex, e.g., #0066cc.

4.2 Customize fonts

Tally offers system fonts only, ensuring fast loading on all devices. Select “Inter” for a modern look.

4.3 Test responsiveness

Use the preview toggle to switch between desktop and mobile. All fields stack vertically on screens under 480 px.

5. Embed the form on your website or product demo

5.1 Get the embed code

Click “Publish”, then “Embed”. Copy the iframe snippet.

<iframe src="https://tally.so/r/mY9z9N" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>

5.2 Insert into HTML

Paste the snippet where you want the form to appear. Example landing page:

<section id="survey">
  <h2>Help us improve</h2>
  <iframe src="https://tally.so/r/mY9z9N" width="100%" height="650" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</section>

5.3 Fallback link

If the iframe is blocked, provide a direct link.

<p>Can’t see the form? <a href="https://tally.so/r/mY9z9N" target="_blank">Open it in a new tab</a>.</p>

6. Connect Tally to your tools (Zapier, Slack, Google Sheets)

6.1 Zapier webhook

In “Integrations → Zapier”, copy the webhook URL. In Zapier, create a “Catch Hook” trigger and add actions such as “Create a row in Google Sheets”.

6.2 Slack notification

Enable “Send to Slack” under “Integrations”. Choose a channel, e.g., #founder‑feedback. Each submission appears as a concise message.

6.3 Google Sheets export

In “Settings → Export”, toggle “Google Sheets”. Authorize your Google account and select a spreadsheet. New rows appear in real time.

7. Compare Tally plans for growing startups

Most early‑stage founders stay on the free plan until they exceed 1,000 responses. At that point, the Pro plan gives a custom domain and unlimited responses for under $1 per day—a cost‑effective upgrade.

FAQ

Do I need a credit card to use Tally?

No. Tally offers a free tier that lets you create unlimited forms and collect up to 1,000 responses per month without a card.

Can I embed a Tally form on my website?

Yes. After you publish a form, Tally provides an embed code that works on any site, including WordPress, Webflow, and static HTML.

How does Tally handle data privacy?

Tally stores data on servers located in the EU and complies with GDPR. You can export data at any time for your own records.

Is there a limit on the number of questions per form?

The free plan allows up to 100 fields per form. Paid plans raise the limit to 1,000 fields and unlock advanced logic.

Can I receive notifications when someone submits a form?

Yes. Tally can send email alerts, Slack messages, or Zapier webhooks on each submission.

Building a feedback loop shouldn’t slow down a startup. With Tally, you can launch a professional form in minutes, collect data securely, and connect the answers to the tools you already use. Start with the free plan, test your hypotheses, and upgrade only when the numbers demand it.