Step #1 - What Is A Split Test
Split testing is a vital task for any Online Business.
By testing different headlines, captions, graphics, copy and prices you can gradually point your business towards better conversion rates.
A basic split test adheres to these guidelines.
1) You start with a base sales page - This is called the "Control"
2) Set up a new page for each component you want to test.
For instance set up a new page where everything is the same as "Control" except the Headline. Test various components such as price, ad copy and bonuses, each with its own page.
3) Using software, set the test criteria in terms of how long you want the test to run or alternatively set the number of visitors you want to visit each page.
During the test the Ad tracker will record the statistics, and you can tell which page converted the most.
For future tests, that page can then become "Control" as you change another component.
Step #2 - A Shortcoming Of Many Split Tests.
Your Online Business has a big advantage over local Bricks and Mortar businesses.
Your marketplace is Global.
However, this is also a weakness.
Despite the shrinking of the World, depending on what you sell, people still feel more comfortable doing business with "Local" companies.
Until now. . .
If you could tell which specific region converted best for your product offer, you could concentrate your offers there instead of wasting advertising money trying to capture a huge unresponsive Global Market.
Step #3 - Breakdown Your Marketplace Into Regions.
Decide the level to which you want to breakdown your global market place.
Depending on your knowledge of the World and the type of product you sell, you may want to target sales at a country level.
For more specific products you may feel a regional approach within each country is best.
Finally for some offers you may want to target people in specific named cities within a region in a country.
Once you have decided on your breakdown you need to set up your sales pages.
Step #4 - Set Up Test Pages
If you have decided to track sales at the lowest level, then you will need a page for the country, the region and the city in addition to "Control"
For each regional page, change your product offer so that it appeals to the people of that region.
Do this by use of text and graphics that appeal to :
- Local Language
- Local Arts
- Local Cultural references
- Local Historical references
- Local Geographical references
- Local Social, political and economic references
The aim is to build an impression in the visitors mind that your business is "Local" to them.
Step # 5 - Re-direct Traffic To The Relevant Local Page
Now that you've set up the regional pages, you must redirect people from that country, region or city to the relevant "Local" page when they visit your site.
You want visitors from your Local region to be re-directed to the correct Local page rather than "Control". Redirecting traffic is as simple as applying JavaScript code to your "Control" page - In Relevant Resources, below, I tell you where to get these scripts for F'REE.
Your visitor IP addresses are cross referenced against a database by the script so they are directed to the right page.
On their relevant "Local" page your visitors can order at discount Prices or with different bonuses that you set up.
If you do this right, your "Local" business pages can outperform the conversion rates you get on "Control".
Step # 6 - A Few Words Of Caution
Use the tactics in this article to make Local offers that are of big relevance to locals in specific, chosen areas of your Global market.
However, when people realise that you are giving discounts to "Local area X", they may try and find a way to get the discount even if they are not in "Local area X".
Theft and fraud online are a price all direct marketers have to bear from time to time.
There are two pieces of advice I can give you :
1) Make it difficult for opportunists to read your JavaScript by hiding it in a . js file
2) Make your "Local" offer one where you are better off with a sale than without. In other words do not give the product away for F'REE. That way you will always make some money on the offer.
Step #7 - Become Local To The Locals
Develop your knowledge of the World and with your product range you can rapidly target small markets rather than the universal Global Internet market.
This can do wonders for your conversion rates.
Relevant Resources
* Split Testing Software
Pro Analyzer from http://www.proanalyzer.com/ DynaTracker from http://www.dynatracker.com/ AdTrackz from http://www.adtrackz.com/
* GeoBytes
Get your Javascript for redirecting your visitors according to location from here http://www.geobytes.com/
More Information and Software For Ad Tracking http://profits. cc/tracking.html? 16oct
Conclusion
Good marketers split test.
Take this a step further and test your market in terms of location.
Be "Local to the Locals" and see your conversion rates rise.
(c) 2004 Charles Kangethe
Charles Kangethe of http://www.simplyeasier.com is a leading new wave Netpreneur and a published author from England. The "Simply Easier" brand name is your guarantee of high value, quality Marketing Products, Services and Resources.
charles@simplyeasier.
