Today we are going to discuss a very important topic which is known as A/B testing. Known also by the names such as bucket testing or split testing, this is one of the most popular methods of testing and comparing multiple versions of the web pages that are created by developers from all around the world.
This particular method is also used for testing the applications as well. The main aim for A/B testing is to find out which version of the web pages will be able to perform in a better way with the public.
The process of A/B Testing works like this –
Two or more than two versions of the web pages are shown to the public and then the data provides the results on which one would be more successful.
Let us now understand why you should opt for A/B Testing-
Why Should People Go For A/B Testing?
There are many possible reasons why people would like to go for A/B testing. One of the most important reasons is that they are able to utilize the traffic on the website in a better way. There is no doubt about the fact that increasing the traffic on the websites can be quite expensive.
Contrary to that, increasing the conversions is not that expensive. With the help of A/B Testing, you can make your campaigns more result oriented. This will empower you in converting more number of people from the current audience base.
There are many other reasons why A/B testing is so important to several developers and we shall be discussing that in a while. For now, let us just concentrate on the things that you can test via A/B Testing-
With the help of A/B testing tools, you will be able to test headlines, paragraph texts, sub-headlines, testimonials, CTA texts and buttons, images, links, social proof, content. Media mentions, clicks, and things that are so much more important that can decide the fate of the website or the application can also be tested by A/B Testing Tools.
How Does The Process Of A/B Testing Generally Work?
Do you want to know how the entire process of A/B testing works?
Well, then you are definitely in the right place. You see, in the process of A/B Testing, you can easily create two different versions of web pages by modifying the web page a little bit.
The changes that you make can be small changes such as changing the headlines or they can be big changes such as redesigning the whole page. After that is done, you will be showing one version to half your traffic and the other version to the other half.
After the share of traffic is provided with their versions of the web pages, then their engagement and the experiences are recorded and measured and that data is collected in a dashboard which is then sent for analysis.
After the analysis of the data, you will be able to see which web page is able to perform in a better way. That will provide you with all the information that you need in order to make real-time changes in your website. Also, you will be able to know whether the changes that you made have had a positive or a negative effect on the traffic of the website.
Detailed Framework Of A/B Testing
Here is a detailed framework of A/B testing that happens for those who are curious to know a little bit more about the process.
1) Collection of Data
The analytics that you have will provide a view of the optimization that you will need in order to increase conversion of your web pages. You can gather the data and use the information for various tasks that are important for the development of the websites
2) Identifying Goals
Well, the conversion goals that you have are basically just metrics that you will be using in order to see whether the changes made are able to produce better results than the original version. The goals for a web page can be a link or a click or anything else
3) Generating Hypothesis
After the identification of the goal is all completed, then you can easily start with the process of generating hypothesis and ideas for A/B testing. After you are done with making your ideas, then you can prioritize them on the basis of difficulty of operation and expected results
4) Creating Variations
You can use different tools and software that are provided for the A.B testing and these tools will help you in making the changes that you want to make on the web pages. These changes are either small or big.
5) Running Experiments
Now that you have made the changes, you can easily start with the experiments by showing these pages to the audience on your website. They will be the judge of the web pages changes that you made and you can collect the data from their engagement and reaction to the changed version and the original version
6) Analyze Data
After the collection of the data, you are free to analyze it and find out whether you did a good job by making the changes in the web pages or not
A/B Testing And SEO
There are certain SEO Implications that people need to follow when it comes to A/B testing of the web pages. Here are some of the important bits that you need to know.
1) No Cloaking
Cloaking is not allowed in the SEO aspects of A/B testing. This means that the testers won’t be able to show a particular version to the human population and the other one to a Bot. Well, this is something that is very important to remember whenever you are doing the A/B testing.
2) Use 302s And Not 301s
In case, someone is using a particular A/B test that would redirect the users from the original web page to the re-designed one, then they need to use a particular 302 redirect command and not the other one. This particular command will let the search engines know that the redirects that are happening are just temporary and they won’t be lasting that long.
3) Don’t Overrun The Experiments
You need to make sure that you comply to the limited time that is provided for the A/B testing. Otherwise, it might have the opposite effect on the website. This is one of the important things that you need to keep in mind.
Now, let us delve into some of the A/B Testing tools you need to be aware of-
Popular A/B Testing Tools –
1) Unbounce
Unbounce gives you a chance to fabricate, distribute and test responsive landing pages. You can do this with no learning of HTML. With its agreeable, simple to utilize interface, working is straightforward with the capacity to change any part of your page as per the A/B Testing needs.
2) VWO
VWO is one of the least demanding A/B Testing software, with the capacity to effect change CTAs, Headlines, Pictures or some other components to make numerous varieties of your site to test. You can track income, information exchanges, sign-ups, clicks, and other conversion objectives and get genuine factual information.
3) AB Tasty
One of the best A/B testing device to improve your conversion rate. Enabling you to adjust pages utilizing a visual manager without composing any code and with no specialized information is one of the prime features of this tool. You can gauge which variants of your pages deliver the best outcomes for your targets, for example, registrations, online visits, buys and that’s only the tip of the iceberg
4) A/Bingo
A/Bingo is a Ruby on Rails’ A/B testing system designed as a plugin. This one can test behavioral differences utilizing only one line of code. A/Bingo can quantify any occasion, test for measurable statistics and is to a great degree quick, which means it has a negligible effect on page or server load times.
5) Maxymiser
Maxymiser is a great answer to upgrade client encounter and make refined online marketing campaigns. Giving basic A/B tests directly through to advanced multivariate tests, with the capacity to rapidly and effectively make and launch tests on any page with only one line of code is the prime quality of this tool. You can even do this by utilizing the simple to utilize visual editor.
Here is a video by Marketing91 on A/B Testing.
Wrapping Up
So, are you all familiar with A/B testing now? Make sure that you use this testing method to test the web pages of your website and you will be impressed by the results.
In case of any confusion, doubt or Query about the significance of A/B Testing for your site, feel free to write us in the comments.
Alternatively, check out the Marketing91 Academy, which provides you access to 10+ marketing courses and 100s of Case studies.
