tuWe are surrounded by so many choices. Making the right choice is always hard. Wouldn’t it be great if, instead of having to make chooses manually, we could use a tool to find out what works best for our webpage? Testing helps us to make these decisions based on real world data and evidence, instead of just guessing.
In this article, we explore the topic of A/B split testing from the top, and give you the top 5 testing tools so you can use to implement A/B testing on your own WordPress site.
What is A/B testing?
A/B testing is the process of comparing the two different versions of a webpage (A and B) and testing them against each other. It accurately tracks and measures traffic to each variation in order to accurately find the winner.
There are actually three main types of A/B testing.
- Split Testing
- Multivariate Testing
- Experimental Testing
We will be talking about Split Testing only in this article. Split testing is a way of finding what works better by comparing one element on a page to an alternate version of the same element.
What are the benefits of doing A/B Split test?
A/B split test is incredibly useful. Let’s take a look at some major benefits.
- The split test will help you make massive improvements in your site design and features.
- You can use split testing to help you create better marketing campaigns.
- Split testing is a proven way to increases conversions rates and revenue.
- The data obtained from tests can help you take complex decisions with ease.
You can test just anything on your site. Buttons, colors, forms, fonts, contents, navigation, tables and product prices are some commonly tested elements.
Are there Premium Themes with Split Testing Built In?
Yes, some premium theme builders come with split testing features built in, such as Thrive Themes and Divi. Check out this blog post for a look at powerful theme builders that support split testing, among other useful features.
5 Great Plugins to Do Split Testing
If you’re not using one of the theme builders above that come with split testing built in, fear not. The following are 5 plugins that achieve this functionality as plugins.
1. Nelio A/B Testing
Nelio is a full-featured A/B testing which allows you to perform almost any kind of test you want from – entire pages, headlines, theme variations, widgets, and much more.
The downside of this plugin is its view-based pricing system that forces you to purchase higher tiers of the premium version as your site traffic grows. Its free plan is very limited. If you don’t mind paying for premium service then you should definitely consider Nelio AB testing plugin.
2. Simple Page Tester
Even though the plugin is remarkably simple to use, it can handle complex split tests. With its free version, you can A/B test entire posts and pages and make any changes you need using the WordPress editor. The premium version can track individual page elements using shortcodes and works with WooCommerce for eCommerce split testing. You can even integrate this plugin with Google Analytics. The plugin does not have views limitation and allows you to run as many tests as you want.
3. Title Experiments Free
The title is the most important element to attract viewers to any post. With Title Experiments Free plugin you can test your titles and discover what your readers find interesting. All you have to do is add multiple title variants whenever you publish a post. Then Title Experiments will sort out the best title for you. Title Experiments is so simple and free that there’s no reason not to use it.
4. AB Press Optimizer
AB Press Optimizer is another premium testing plugin that allows you to split test any element in your theme, page, post, or custom post types. The plugin will automatically use its algorithms to declare a winner.
A fan of the plugin, says: “What I love about the plugin is that it has no recurring monthly costs. Also, there are no view limits and you are free to perform as many tests and variations as you wish. For small sites like ours, that’s huge.”
5. WordPress Calls to Action
WordPress Calls to Action allows you to monitor and track conversion rates, run a/b or multivariate split tests to generate a lead as cost effectively as possible. The plugin can either work as a standalone solution or integrate with WordPress Landing Pages for even more functionality. It provides a simple solution that can offer major improvements without much time investment.
Conclusion
With a pleathera of split testing plugins at your disposal,A/B testing is no longer just reserved for big businesses with big budgets. What’s your views on WordPress A/B testing? Which is your favorite A/B testing tool? Tell us in the comment below.
Credits:
Kate Johnson blogs about budgeting, saving money, and how to become a digital nomad over at Best of Budgets. Get in touch by following her on Facebook or Pinterest.