Increase Online Sales With Split Testing Methods

Internet marketers commonly utilize split testing to measure the effectiveness of a marketing offer. It's a scientific method that allows you to exactly determine what variations of individual elements of a web page can increase its conversion ratio (i.e. the percentage of visitors converted into sales).

Different split testing methods

1) A/B Split Test

It's the simplest one. Basically visitors are randomly directed to one of two different versions of a web page and results (sales, leads or click-throughs) are tracked.

This method will tell you what page is better, but not what individual elements on the page have positively influenced its conversion ratio.

You can run several split tests in a row and test different variations, but this can be a very time consuming process.

2) Multivariate Split Test

With this method you can test multiple combinations of different page elements at the same time.

Let's say you want to test the effectiveness of two different headlines (h1 and h2), product descriptions (d1 and d2) and product images (p1 and p2).

Your website traffic is evenly split so that each visitor will see one of the possible page versions made by a particular combination of these different elements.

Visitor A sees h1-d1-p1 and doesn't buy.

Visitor B sees h2-d1-p2 and doesn't buy.

Visitor C sees h2-d2-p2 and buys!

And so on for every possible combination. Once the test has run for enough time to give statistically significative results, you will find the winning combination of those page elements that produce the optimal conversion ratio.

In the example above 8 different web pages need to be tested.

Let's say you want also test two different testimonials (t1-t2) in combination with all the other page elements. The pages that need to be tested are now 16. You can easily see how this number will exponentially grow as you add more page elements to the test.

More are the pages to test more traffic you need to generate enough conversions to determine the 'winning' page. This is the main drawback of multivariate split testing.

Page elements that can be "split tested"

To limit the number of page variations and reduce the amount of traffic needed to generate significative results, split testing should be used to test only those elements on a web page that are most likely to have a large impact on the conversion ratio.

Headlines. You can test different versions of you main headline or unique selling proposition.

Bulleted lists of benefits. You can test if and how sales are affected by different product's benefits or by listing benefits in a different order.

Product descriptions. Test if and how different product descriptions, each focused on a different product benefits affect sales.

Product images. Split testing will help you determine how different product images, their number and quality influence sales.

Increases of up to 400% in conversion ratios have been reported by marketers utilizing split testing methods. Obviously split testing won't tell you how to write a good headline or an effective web copy, but will help you scientifically test all your marketing ideas and put them together in the best possible combination.

Mike Paolieri is an editor of Arakne-Links a free, general web directory offering a large selection of sites categorized by topic, including marketing and advertising resources. Good quality sites can be listed without any fee or mandatory reciprocal link. http://www.arakne-links.com/

Adwords Miracle - Results Are In
When I first saw Adwords Miracle I was very skeptical as everyone probably is. Then day after day I wondered if I really was...

Child Support
Paying child support is a tremendous responsibility. The payments that are made are distribute to the custodial parents to en...

Internet Marketing Structure - A Surefire Way To Online Success
The concept of internet marketing is very challenging both for those who are just beginning and those who have been in the ga...

What’s New in Internet Marketing- Email Marketing
Of course, email marketing isn't new; we've been doing it for over 10 years now. But according to some of the latest research...

10 Ways to Use the Word Free to Increase Your Traffic and Your Sales
If you are like me, you are trying to build your Internet business on a very tight advertising budget. Here are several tips ...

3 Steps To Turning "OK" eBook Sales Into Unbelieveable Results!
Have you noticed that 90% of "How To" information about creatingand marketing your own information-based products online is b...

Internet Marketing Methods - 3 Proven Internet Marketing Methods
If you are looking to do business online, then you need provenr internet marketing methods to maximize your results.Most inte...

How Can I Start Making Money Online?
This is a question I see being asked so many times in various forums. How can little old me start making money online? Well i...

Improve Your Small Business Through the #3 Universal Funnel Law
Sales are the main stay for any business to stay viable and to grow. The #3 Universal Funnel Law assists you as you grow your...

Best Ebook Writing - Latest 4 Responsive Methods to Increase Your Ebook Writing
If you are looking for ways on how you can increase your ebook writing, I'd say start by extending your writing time. If you ...

5 Military Precision Methods To Increase Your Sales
1) Follow-upThe money is in the backend! You have to capture your customers email address so that you can follow-up with your...

Why Should You Home School Your Child?
The system of education in this country is a system that is struggling greatly. Those that make the rules for the teachers ha...

It is Easier to Increase Sales than to Cut Costs
We are constantly hearing about the importance of cutting costs to get a business back on track. I certainly believe that we...

5 Steps to Increased Profits
The most successful owners figure it out (some early on, but most over time). Now you can tap into a process that has the awe...

Ebay Ebook Success: How to become a PowerSeller
PowerSeller status is something that many eBay sellers strive to achieve, but few actually manage. With PowerSeller status y...

How to use Joint Ventures in Internet Marketing Part I
If you know how to use joint ventures in internet marketing, you can blast off your earnings big time. The vast majority of ...

Discover How To Write An Ebook For More Business
Have you ever received or been offered a free ebook? Chances are, you have and you found much value in it. Although, you ma...

The Benefits Of Testing Your Internet Marketing Advertising
The internet is such a big place that many internet marketers do not where to start when it comes to advertising and promotin...

Advanced Internet Marketing - How to Use a Sales Funnel II
The more work you do, the faster the flow might become, but also your effort might be better used elsewhere if the improvemen...

Discover Outrageous Secrets to Supercharge Your Ebook Income
Indeed, ebooks are great source of cash, considering how many ended up millionaires because of them. However, you need to imp...