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Can someone recommend some split test software for me?

by Daniel Brock
23 replies
Hello everyone,

I am just now getting into split testing my landing pages(I know, I know...), and I was wondering if you all could suggest me a real simple solution.

I have tried a couple softwares out so far and they are just way too complicated for my needs and I don't really feel like spending a couple days learning the ins and outs.

All I need is a simple software that will display 2 different squeeze pages and will track the conversions for both.

Can anyone recommend a really simple software to use for this? I currently have access to PHP and CGI if that helps.

Thanks for the suggestions! These things have been driving me freakin' nuts today.
-Daniel
#recommend #software #split
  • Profile picture of the author Sean Kelly
    One script I can definitely recommend you NOT buy is SplitAnalyzer.

    There are bugs in the script and they do not answer any support questions.
    Their forums show a 'database error', the online demo does not work and there are errors on many of the webpages.

    There are no upgrades or fixes available.

    I've been trying in vain to get a refund ever since I bought it a few years ago.
    I heard about it from Jim Edwards who shortly retracted his recommendation afterwards due to 'problems' with the software.. he didn't elaborate any further.

    Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author Catalin Ionescu
    Daniel,

    I recall John Taylor had a product that might do exactly what you need -- simple split testing.

    Here's the link (non-affiliate):

    Ad Test Pro

    Note I haven't personally tested this particular script, but I do know John's products are of good quality.


    Sincerely,
    Catalin Ionescu
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Kelly
    Thanks for the tip Catalin, I ordered my copy of 'Ad Test Pro' a few minutes ago

    Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Kelly
    Hi Viva,

    I've installed it and it runs just fine. You just need to make sure that your server can run PHP scripts using <? as well as <?php

    Everything works exactly the same as I saw in the demo video here:
    Created by Camtasia Studio 4

    You paste your HTML code for each version of your page into the script and it rotates them automatically. A cookie is dropped so visitors always see the same version. You specify how many actions (eg: signups or sales) must be performed before a winner is automatically chosen.

    It's simple A/B testing and does not get into complicated taguchi testing which can be daunting to track.

    Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author subhub-mark
    Hi Daniel,

    As an alternative to what's already been discussed, if you are getting a lot of your traffic from Google PPC, you could trying using Google's website optimiser in your AdWords account. This allows you to A/B test quite easily, with 50% of your ad traffic seeing one version of a page and 50% seeing the other version.

    Hope this helps

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author JordanFrancis
    I'd think carefully before using the big G's website optimiser. You will be handing them your conversion data. That could be an issue. Just something to think about.

    I hear Paul Hancox has a decent split test product.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Brock
      Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I appreciate it
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    • Profile picture of the author Raydal
      Originally Posted by JordanFrancis View Post

      I'd think carefully before using the big G's website optimiser. You will be handing them your conversion data. That could be an issue. Just something to think about.

      I hear Paul Hancox has a decent split test product.
      I use Google's tool as well. But I've heard this 'warning' before.
      What would Google do with my conversion data to hurt me?

      I'm a bit confused here. Not like I'm Amazon.com.

      -Ray Edwards
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
        Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

        I use Google's tool as well. But I've heard this 'warning' before.
        What would Google do with my conversion data to hurt me?

        I'm a bit confused here. Not like I'm Amazon.com.

        -Ray Edwards
        They could easily raise your bid prices to get the same PPC position. In short, you're telling them what keywords are converting best which gives them the ability to raise your prices whenever they want. You're telling them how much money you're making.

        With Google's recent tactics of introducing things like SideWiki, why would you want to give them any more information about your business?

        I recommend my multi-variate testing tool, Easy Multi Tracking or Paul Hancox's split testing tool.

        Hope that helps,

        Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Roy
    Or if you're less cynical, Google could use your conversion data to lower your PPC bid prices. Not sure why the default assumption is that they'd be out to get you.

    Why not try out the free tool first? If it doesn't meet your needs, then look to paid tools.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Originally Posted by Ben Roy View Post

      Or if you're less cynical, Google could use your conversion data to lower your PPC bid prices. Not sure why the default assumption is that they'd be out to get you.
      I'm cynical because Google has earned that level of skepticism.

      Ask anyone who had multiple Adsense websites a few years ago when Google decided to slash Adsense payouts by half.

      Ask anyone who had a website ranking tumble even though they hadn't done anything wrong... because Google decided to do a Google Slap.

      Ask anyone who had a landing page that got banned from Adwords because Google decided to frown on people buying their PPC and sending the traffic to a squeeze page.

      Ask anyone who had their Adwords bid prices jacked up 2x, 3x, or more by Google... simply because Google wanted to charge more for their service.

      Ask anyone who thinks their online business has been hurt -- or could be hurt -- by their new toolbar SideWiki.

      I'd say that Google deserves to be regarded with strong skepticism.

      Why not try out the free tool first? If it doesn't meet your needs, then look to paid tools.
      Google is a publicly traded company. They have a bunch of shareholders to answer to... all of whom love to see a fat dividend paid out every month. Most of Google's profits probably come from selling PPC.

      So let me ask you a question... wouldn't they make a killing if they started charging for their testing tool?

      Think about it: If 100K people are using their tool worldwide (it's probably a lot more than that) had to start paying $50/month to keep using it. They'd be faced with either paying the $50/month or removing from every webpage they own where it was set up.

      So 100K subscribers (minimum) paying $50/month that's an extra $5 Mill per month or $60 Million per year in sales.

      Now $50/month for using a testing tool might seem like a lot to the average IMer. Believe me when I say there are services out there charging $1-2K per month for using their testing tools. Before I had my own testing tool built, I priced out some of the services. Most of them won't even quote their prices online or by email... you have to call them to get the big price tag.

      So Google would be "cheap" in comparison.

      Wouldn't that make their shareholders happy?

      You betcha.

      It's only a matter of time before they do it. Bank on it.

      Mike

      P.S. To the OP... sorry to have gone off on a bit of a rant. Regardless of what testing tool you finally decide on (even if it's Google's), stick with using it. Anyone who isn't testing is leaving a ton of money on the table instead of in their bank account. Just get started and stick with it. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author zapseo
    I always thought it was less about google starting to charge for google analytics -- but what if they started charging for gmail ?

    I own (in fact, the MRR, I think) to Taylor's split testing tool.

    It's VERY basic. Too basic. (Sorry, John).

    I don't have it, but, based upon the level of knowledge and sophistication about statistics that Paul Hancox writes about in his ebooks, I'm sure you would be well-served with his software. (BTW, I highly recommend just about anything Paul has written. He's not a prolific WSO creator, so you won't go broke buying everything he's written -- unlike some folks. But when he writes, his writing and his information are pure pure purist gold. Triply refined.

    I should be able to recommend Mike's tool, but I'm afraid the version I own is several down-versions from what he's selling now (yes, I need to upgrade it...LOL. Mike, we need to talk, LOL.) -- so I would be remiss in recommending it. But I know he stands well behind his products, and I'm sure you can see some reviews from folks who have purchased it when Mike has run it as a WSO.

    Let's just put it this way:

    There are far too many people who would run 1 salesletter, get 100 hits and 4 sales and decide that that is better than the salesletter that got 100 hits and made 2 sales.

    How can that be?

    Simple. It's what's called a "statistically invalid" statement...there is insufficient information to draw a valid statistical conclusion.

    Further, when you DO have enough data to make a valid statistical conclusion, to be accurate, you need to provide the "fudge factor", otherwise known as "confidence levels."

    It's this ignorance of the fudge factor that makes people's use of testing a fruitless endeavor. They don't derive sufficient benefit from it for it to be truly useful.

    You see -- let's say I was the person who wrote the letter that got 4 sales. I "might" say that I "doubled conversion rates". While "technically" true, it's far from telling the whole story. The doubling of sales was within the realm of probability, not a sign of expertise at all.


    Live JoyFully!

    Judy
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewStark
    Does anyone have the link to Paul's product?

    I'm looking at doing more testing, and this could be just what I'm looking for.
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    • Profile picture of the author reapr
      You may want to check googles webmaster tools I remember seeing some option there for split testing pages.
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    • Profile picture of the author JordanFrancis
      Originally Posted by AndrewStark View Post

      Does anyone have the link to Paul's product?

      I'm looking at doing more testing, and this could be just what I'm looking for.
      Power Split Tester by Paul Hancox

      As for the comments on trusting Google, Mike covered that nicely. Of course, you can trust whomever you choose. I personally figure the least anyone knows about what I do, the better. Even if I can't figure out exactly why that is... it doesn't hurt to keep your cards close to your chest.
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  • Profile picture of the author n7 Studios
    Another thumbs up for Google Website Optimizer here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacer
    Google's tools are awesome, and you can't beat the price (free)
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    • Profile picture of the author zapseo
      Originally Posted by Jacer View Post

      Google's tools are awesome, and you can't beat the price (free)
      Yah, you trade a monetary price for an informational (loss of privacy) price.

      Just so you know.

      NOTHING is really free.

      And certainly nothing from a large, successful corporation like Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author Irish Marketer
    i use hypertracker it gives great stats and their customer service is great. It also allows you to calculate your p+l which is pretty cool.
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  • Profile picture of the author DrewG
    I'd recommend either Google Website Optimizer or Prosper202.
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  • Profile picture of the author ppcpimp
    prosper202 - that's all.
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