A/B Testing. What it is and how it will help you increase your revenue.
Constantly testing means constantly improving
A/B testing is a method used in marketing to compare the performance of two different versions of a campaign or plan to determine which is more effective in achieving the desired result. In email marketing, A/B testing involves sending two different versions of an email and then tracking the version that generates more loyalty or conversions. Based on the results of the test, you can then send the winning version of the email to the rest of your email list.
A/B testing can help you generate more revenue in conjunction with your email marketing strategy, allowing you to identify the most effective ways to communicate with your audience. By testing different variables such as subject lines, call-to-action buttons and email design, you can optimize your email campaigns to increase open rates, click-to-view ratios and conversions.
Examples of variables you can try in your email marketing campaigns
- Subject lines: Try different subject lines to see which ones create the most openings. For example, you could try a simple subject line versus one that includes a sense of urgency, humor, or an emoji.
- Encouragement for action: Try different call to action (CTA) buttons to see which ones generate the most clicks. For example, you can test a "Learn More" button versus a "Buy Now" button.
- Email design: Try different email designs to see which ones generate the most loyalty. For example, you could try a simple text-based email versus a more visually enriched email with images and graphics.
Some real examples of how A/B testing can improve email marketing performance.
Basecamp: Basecamp, a project management software company, conducted an A/B test on their email subject lines. They tested a simple subject line ("Get your Basecamp ID") on a more personalized subject line ("[First Name], Basecamp ID is ready"). The personalized subject line with the recipient's name created 65% higher email open rate.
Hubspot: A marketing software company conducted an A/B test on call to action buttons. They tested a green CTA button versus a red CTA button. The red button generated 21% higher click ratio to number of appearances.
Etsy: An online marketplace for handmade and vintage products conducted an A/B test on their email design. They tested a plain text email versus an email with images and graphics. The email with images created 94% higher conversion rate.
Conclusion. One and only!
In summary, A/B testing can be a powerful tool for optimising your email marketing strategy and generating more revenue. By testing different variables, you can identify the most effective ways to communicate with your audience and improve your overall email performance.