Reader Takeaways:
- An A/B test is the process of sending users to different versions of your eCommerce website to test the performance of each version.
- By continually running A/B tests on different parts of the site, you can continue to learn more about your customers and how best to cater to their needs, with the goal of finding new ways to convert browsers into customers
- The process of A/B testing requires creating goals and testing the highest priority areas of the site first. Changing just one variable at a time ensures that you know what had an impact on your customer’s responses.
- While the benefits of A/B testing are endless. The best part is the ability to create an eCommerce site that has been proven to be successful.
A/B testing is the easiest and most effective way to convert casual eCommerce visitors into loyal customers. Running an A/B test requires sending your users to multiple separate versions of the site to determine which they prefer. In an A/B test, you can actually talk to users and watch them interact with a product, uncovering and solving problems that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. With this valuable data, you can quickly see how small things can make a huge difference to your customers. Every site can be improved, and A/B testing can reveal weaknesses and successes in your marketing strategy that you can utilize to make data-driven improvements, taking the guesswork out of your eCommerce site.
A/B Testing Basics
A/B testing is the process of splitting your eCommerce site traffic between multiple versions of the site to see which experience has a better result based on a certain goal metric. In other words, it will show you which of the sites produced more leads, engaging customers, or purchasers depending on the needs of the site. By continually running A/B tests on different parts of the site, you can continue to learn more about your customers and how best to cater to their needs, with the goal of finding new ways to convert browsers into customers.
The solutions that A/B testing can provide are endless. Every part of every site can be tested to ensure that your eCommerce marketing strategy is working. For instance, you might begin A/B tests where you notice your conversion rate falling off. Rather than replacing the page entirely or relying on a gut decision on how to fix the problem, A/B testing allows you to effectively troubleshoot. Will incorporating different verbs or adjectives into your wording or simply changing a font improve your results? An A/B test can give you an exact outline of the problem with a data-driven solution. Keeping up with the constantly changing needs of your customers requires constant A/B testing.
Process of A/B Testing
Our team has established a repeatable method that outlines where to begin and how to proceed at each stage of the A/B testing process. Since it’s easy to get carried away when running A/B tests, it is helpful to keep your scope in mind. Beginning with the highest-priority part of the site, establish the goals you have for your conversion rates. Use research, including data from previous A/B tests if they apply, to form a hypothesis which you can prove right or wrong with your test. Stick to one variable and find out why you’re not meeting your goal on that page.
Once you design and create your test, an A/B test runs until you have enough data to make a solid decision. Once you have enough data, you can quickly determine which of the two solutions is better to meet the goal you set out. Then, repeat the process with a different variable. Changing just one variable at a time ensures that you know what had an impact on your customer’s responses.
Benefits of A/B Testing
A/B tests can be run at any time to create customer-centric designs for your eCommerce site, increasing your conversion rates. The benefits of A/B testing are endless, but the best part is the ability to create an eCommerce site that has been proven to be successful. By creating a culture of data-driven decisions on your site, the results can create higher customer lifetime values.
By being able to test strategies that may be considered risky, such as aggressive marketing tactics, A/B testing can reduce the risk of higher bounce rates. As your business grows and evolves, so do your customers, which is why assuming that your site is great isn’t always the best strategy. A/B testing is an ever-evolving process that can ultimately make a huge difference in your marketing return on investment.
A/B testing is a way to change your eCommerce site for the better using data-driven analytics. By asking your customers what they want out of your site, you’ll ensure that your site is as effective as it can possibly be. Running A/B tests is a way to identify problems or things you might want to change, without assuming the effects of the solution for your customers. eCommerce can be a tricky business, so invest in A/B testing to allow the data to drive your eCommerce strategy.