Currently in private beta, Survs offers the typical functionality one would expect from an online survey tool. Users can create survey questions, customize them as needed, distribute them to would-be respondents, and review the responses. There's even logic that allows for customizing surveys based on responses - functionality that is missing from far too many survey tools. Survs works as well as any of the other survey tools we have tried.

So why give it a second look? One reason: attention to detail. Most noticeable is an obvious concern for the aesthetic of the product. You get the idea that look and feel are important to the company when you first land at the Survs site - and that thoughtful design continues throughout the product from the survey composition tool to the reporting features.

But that's not the only detail to which Survs pays attention. The site leverages AJAX to make the survey creation process easier on the builder. No more saving and refreshing to see changes. Just double click and type. Survs saves everything on the fly. A small - and seemingly insignificant - touch that vastly improves the speed with which one can compose a survey.

Another example of "attention to detail" can be found in the look and feel of the surveys themselves. Themes and templates allow users to customize the colors of the simple and well-designed surveys, as expected. But what was unexpected was the option to edit the language of the survey down to the "Next" buttons.

Finally, Survs offers the option to run surveys through multiple channels at the same time. For example, you could send a survey out by email, embed it in a page, and link to it from somewhere else. Each channel can be monitored separately to determine the most effective means of interactive with your audience.

Now, the downside. Survs is currently in private beta for a reason. It's fragile. The server tended to choke while we were performing some basic functions. And survey embeds failed on a couple of occasions. But some of that fragility may stem from the fact that we're accessing Survs from the United States. (It will be interesting to hear if our European readers experience similar issues in reaching this Portuguese company.)

Suffice it to say, we wouldn't recommend using it for "mission critical" surveys at this point.

If you're already in love with a survey tool, Survs may not dissuade you from using it. But if you're new to the world of online surveys or have never really settled on a solution, Survs could be exactly what you're seeking.

Survs is currently in private beta. But, they have given ReadWriteWeb readers an access code to register for the service. Simply visit the registration page and enter the code F6W6HGOD. The offer is limited to the first 500 people, first come, first served.