A/B Testing Idea #2: Make your headlines sound super cool.

A/B Testing Idea #2: Make your headlines sound super cool.

Hello everyone,

We're back with our second post in the CRO testing idea series. If you missed the first post, please check it out here: "Place irresistible and clear CTAs." In today's post, we'll look at how to effectively A/B test your headline content.


 
Some people say "you only get one chance to make a first impression" while others contend that it only takes seven seconds to make an impression about someone or something. Well, the same concept applies to your website.

A good first impression on your website is crucial for making visitors trust in your products/services and keeping them tied to your business forever. Creating this first impression depends on many factors like structure, colors, spacing, symmetry, amount of text, and fonts. But, of everything else, a good headline plays a major role in the success of your website.  

Your headline is the first thing that readers see as soon as they land on your site; it holds the power to make or break a deal at first visit. Even if your content is truly unique and innovative, a weak headline can ruin its chances of being super successful in terms of conversions. So how do you create a strong headline that drives more traffic and clicks on your website?

Here are a few aspects to consider as you A/B test your site's headline content:

Communicate your brand's purpose
Often we just assume that the visitors fully understand everything about our website and its product offerings. However, that’s not always the case, especially for new visitors. With hundreds of websites selling products/services online, it's important to make sure that the primary headline on your homepage tells visitors what your website has to offer and how it aligns with their expectations—all in a few short seconds. Tweaking and testing headline copy that clearly communicates your brand's purpose and differentiates yourself from the competitors can encourage your visitors to take the desired action without another thought.
 
Example:
Say you own a website testing and analytics software solution that offers a set of tools to grow an online business. Take a look below at the old and new versions of the same headline message. Notice that while the first tells people what the product is, the second tells people what the product will actually help them do.



Extra tip: The easiest way to determine if your brand message is clear to your visitors is by assuming your audience knows nothing about the business you're running.

Try different headlines for different set of target audiences
Each website caters to a specific type of audience. So understanding which audience group you cater to, where they come from, what their interests are, and what information they are hoping to find on your site is another major parameter to consider before starting to test your headline content. Testing and optimizing your headline copy based on a particular set of audience segments like demographics (such as location, gender, age, etc), personal interests, and past engagements with your site can help you deliver personalized content for each category of visitors, which is more likely to generate conversions. 

Example: 
Say you run an ecommerce business and want to A/B test your headline copy with enticing offers for returning visitors to see which one convinces them to fulfill your conversion goals.
 

Extra tip:
  • You can target your A/B test in PageSense using a variety of audience segments such as visitor type, device used, JS variable, day of the week, and more to learn which version grabs your audience's attention immediately and performs best for each segment.
  • To know your target audience better, you can set up polls on your website using PageSense and learn your visitor’s business (or personal) needs and how your product can help achieve them. Later, you can use this feedback to test and optimize your website content. 
Match your headline with your ad copy
When a visitor clicks on an ad, it's of the utmost importance to match the message on that ad to the headline content on your post-click landing page. If your headline doesn't match the offers and features that you promised in your ad copy, you're wasting all your marketing investment and conversion opportunities. A/B testing your headline by incorporating relevant keywords that resonate with your ad copy can help you reassure people that they've come to the right place. It can also later persuade them to take the desired action on your site more quickly. Further, this type of testing is more likely to generate increased clickthrough rates, conversions, and revenue for your website.  
 
Example:
Say you're running a Facebook Ad for older travelers, and the post-click landing page shows the most relevant tourist packages, flights, and hotel stays based on their interests. Now compare the old and new headline messages below to see which version of the message sounds better.



Include stats and numbers
Numbers in your headlines are a great way to grab attention by spontaneously triggering curiosity in your targeted audience. When you use symbols like %, $, or digits instead of words to express percentages, dollars, or numbers in your headlines, it creates specificity around the duration, size, value, etc. of what you're offering customers, which is more attractive than a generic offering. This is a powerful psychological tactic that spotlights your headlines and immediately hooks the reader's interest, which results in more traffic.

Example:
Consider the pricing page of your website and see how adding a number to the headline can increase reader engagement.


Follow the problem-solving methodology
Solving your customers' problem is the easiest and fastest way to reach their heart. Crafting a headline that addresses an issue and provides a cutting-edge solution to solve the problem can make optimizing your website easier. Intriguing your readers like this can make them look for more information on the rest of your site. Further, when done well, it can build a solid emotional bond between you and your customer for a longer term.

Example:
Take a look at the image below to see how implementing the problem and solution technique in your fitness website can make your headline sound more interesting.


 
Test with power words and sentiments
Sometimes the right audience is just one word away. Using forceful positive or negative power words in your headlines has the potential to kindle your customers' emotions and inspire action on your website in no time. Also, these words can guarantee more clicks and make your headlines stand out from the rest. You can test your headlines depending on two groups of power words:  
  • Negative headlines: This type of headline tends to intrigue your customers by setting a stage to avoid a miserable situation. It includes words like never, stop, worst, avoid, or do not.
  • Positive headlines: This type of headline tries to build a relationship with feel good emotions. It includes words like best, always, fastest, easiest, most, greatest, largest, funniest, hottest, strongest, biggest, and ever.
Example:
Take a look at the image below to see how the choice of words can invoke a positive feeling as you read the headline.



Test the font and appearance of your headline
The presentation (color, fonts, and layout) of your headline copy has a huge impact on the performance of your site. Below are a few points to consider while testing the appearance of your headline:
  • Use title case. Avoid writing your headlines in all caps as it can reduce the readability of your text.  
  • Choose a font style and size that matches your website's personality. The most popular font style is sans-serif and font size is 20 - 36 pixels.
  • Apply colors that contrast (while complimenting) your website's background well and focus on the legibility of your content.
  • Align your headline perfectly with your body content for a bigger impact. Centered headlines are most powerful visually, while left-centered are more conservative and formal. 
Example:
Say you own an online food delivery website, and you want to test the color and font of your homepage headline for better clickthrough rates. Take a look at the before and after images of the headline below. Which one you think will attract more eyeballs? 

 
Try out the two-part strategy
Don't forget your supporting cast! Successful headlines act in two parts. Including a persuasive subheadline copy below your headline can be another winning strategy to pull your customers deeper into your website. You can test different versions of your subheadings to see which best suits your visitors, such as explaining a bit more about your product or services, emphasizing your product benefits, or encouraging visitors to click the CTA button placed on your site.

Example:
Take a look at the main headline and the subheading of a customer support software website as shown below. In this case, your subheadline re-affirms how your software helps your customers and adds emphasis about different product features.

 
Test the headline length and SEO compatibility
Test your headline for the right length, SEO keywords, and sentiments. Keeping a headline no longer than six words will help readers easily process your text and attain the goal of your website. Using free headline analyzer tools such as Coschedule or Sharethrough can help you effortlessly understand your website's performance. They analyze important factors (like searchable keywords, word balance, and sentiments) and assign a percentage score based on how good your headline is. They'll help you identify the factors you need to improve for more productive headlines.

Example:
Let's say you own an online pet supply store and you want to test the headline of your homepage to attract more visitor traffic. The screenshots below show the performance of both the old and new versions of the headline in terms of length.



Bonus tips:
  • Create a sense of urgency in your headline with words like "today," "now," and "last-minute offer."
  • Use comparison phrases like "versus" to reinforce the benefits and features of your products/services.
  • Research your competitor's headlines to add more value and optimize your headlines better.  
We hope you found this article useful. What is your favorite headline tester? Have you had any success with headline A/B testing? Do share with us in the comments box below.

Happy testing. Happy converting!

Thank you.

    • Recent Topics

    • Problem importing TSV file: File contains empty string as column header(s).

      I tried importing a TSV file into Books, and got this message: "File contains empty string as column header(s). Please check the content and try again." I've looked at the file I'm trying to import, and the columns all have labels in the first row. Help?

    • How to Integrate Zoho Books with Xero (No Native Connection Available)

      Hi everyone, I’m currently facing an issue with integrating Zoho Books invoices with Xero, as I’ve noticed Zoho does not provide a native integration with Xero at this time. I would like to ask: What are the common or recommended solutions for syncing

    • UPLOAD A CREATED PDF AUTOMATICALLY

      Using the html header pdf+print button, I have managed to find a way to have a user create a pdf using entered form data. Using the schedule button, I can have a "file uploaded" pdf mailed to someone as an attachment. The missing piece is to be able to add the pdf, created in that html page to a file upload field automatically? Right now one has to save it to computer and then upload it in a FILE UPLOAD FIELD. Any help would appreciated !  

    • Short Custom Order

      Hi Everyone, I have question, i create some report use custom short order like below. But this is just show in development mode.... when i publish to production, it is not showing. And this is just showing in full admin mode. Can setting to show roles

    • is there a way to pass whatsapp message to Zoho CRM lead record?

      so I am trying to implement WhatsApp Native Integration to Zoho CRM. What I really need is to pass Whatsapp Number and whatsapp first message to Zoho CRM lead record. yes I can see the Whatsapp Message inside lead detail record like this but as you can

    • How to use CDN with Zoho wesbites.

      I want to use CDN with my zoho- hosted website. I currently have a dot in website. I would seriously like to utilize CDN such as MAX CDN and cloudflare. Its that am not able to change dns with dot in website. Which is a great catch. Today site speed matters a lot both for business or personal sites. I have lot of visitors from different parts of the world and they suggest to make the website more faster. I would be great if I'm able to use dns or may be cdn.

    • Tip of the Week #58– Stay informed by following threads!

      Want to be notified about the activities happening over a specific thread without getting directly involved there? In shared inboxes, not every message requires your immediate response, but that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant. Without a clear way to keep

    • Zoho CRM 表示が変わった？

      いつからかわからないのですが、本日（6/3）、表示が変わったことに気がつきました。 皆さんの環境でも変わっているのでしょうか？ 当方は Zoho CRM Plus で Zoho CRM Everyone 環境です。 ■タブと項目 タブのレイアウト表示名が「標準」から「スタンダード」になっている。 表示だけなので Deluge とか影響はないとは思います。 ■レコード一覧の項目選択の表示 選択すると青色線で囲いが表示されるようになった。 選択しやすくなって使いやすいです。

    • How do we add Google Analytics code to Zoho Bookings scheduling pages or the thank you page?

      We need to track user activity on individual Bookings' pages and/or the thank you pages? How do we do this?

    • please include option for editing attachment name

      Users need the ability to rename an attachment without having to delete the original and then uploading a duplicate just to rename the doc. We need the ability to edit the name of an attachment directly in zoho. dgdlux

    • Lead Created Time Field

      I don't remember doing it but I must have removed the "Created Time" field from my lead module at some point.  Usually it doesn't let you permanently delete fields like this but it is not in my unused fields so it must have been permanently deleted somehow.

    • Notebook Password Recovery?

      I'm a very happy new user of Notebook, but ... my password has fallen from my memory and I am finding no avenue to reset it. How can I reset it to recover access to my notes? Thanks so much, HOC

    • Unable to create a download link for an uploaded Workdrive File

      Hello, I have some custom logic that is working fine to load image files into a Workdrive folder. I'm not having much success however in being able to then set the file as downloadable and retrieving the download link from my custom logic. My code for

    • Data preservation when a Recruiter Admin leaves the organisation and account is deleted

      I can’t find in the documentation on this topic, so asking here. When the Recruiter Admin employee who has done all the hiring work, e.g. publish job postings, updating email notification templates, changing candidate statuses, writing notes, communicating

    • Zoho Sprints mobile app(Android and iOS) v2.0

      Hello everyone! We’re thrilled to announce that Zoho Sprints Mobile app2.0 is now live. With the newest version of the Zoho Sprints mobile app, we hope to provide a fresh, faster, and intuitive experience for managing your sprints on the go! Whether you're

    • Open-source Zoho API package for Python

      Dear Community, Some time ago I have started working on Zoho API to handle data management in more automated manner than before. Then I have found no relevant materials, except of Zoho API documentation, about how to start. Of course I do not mean it

    • Zoho Writer and Zoho Forms - Merge on update of a form

      Once Zoho Form is submitted it requires a check by the adviser / sales person and adding additional infomation to it before it gets send to the customer for the signature. Unfortuantely there is no option to Merge on update, only on submission of the

    • Journal Entries Do Not Show Multiple Entries to the Same Account

      Another basic accounting function that Books ... Accountants sometimes write journal entries, debiting and/or crediting the same account in the same entry. This is due to the need to record specific activity in an account when we pull reports especially

    • Cookies

      Hey Guys, being a EU based company, we're forced to show the cookie banner, providing easy to read information about the cookies we use and giving the choice to select which cookies the accept. I know in Zoho Marketing Hub, SalesIQ and Sites there are

    • Zoho Sign Custom Domain

      Any plans for Custom Domain?

    • Introducing AI-powered agreement management in Zoho Sign

      Hello! From automating repetitive tasks to enabling smarter decision-making, AI has moved from a futuristic concept to a practical tool for modern businesses. One of the most impactful applications of AI is in agreement and contract management. By leveraging

    • My bank is not in Books

      Hello, I tried to configure bank feeds for my bank, but it doesn't appear in the list of supported banks. Does that mean that i cannot configure feeds at all ? Is there any way to add my bank in the list ? Also, as far as I saw, the list has no Belgian bank : Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC,... Thanks for you answer Xavier Liégeois Though Happy Zoho user

    • Updating a contact record's multiple select field

      Hi folks, I have a multiple select field (called Mailing Lists) in Zoho CRM which I wish to set to the text "Weekly Email" I have created a step in Zoho Flow using a Create or Update Contact. In the Mailing Lists field, I put the text "Weekly Email"  (including the quotes) but the flow returns an error requesting a jsondatatype.  I have tried {'Weekly Email'} but I still get the same error. Also tried Weekly Email (without the quotes) How do I format an update of a multiple select field  with Zoho

    • CRM module name capitalisation bug ?

      HI, I''m writing a deluge script from Desk to create a task in CRM. All is good when I deal with a lead, but not when a contact is involved. It took me days to figure it out. It might be a bug. Here is a snippet of my script // Ticket Description taskMap.put("What_Id",{"id":ticketContactId});

    • Can I convert Multiline fields from Plain text to Rich Text?

      I have added several custom multiline fields (Plain text) in the Zoho CRM module "Accounts" before the Rich Text (RTF) feature was released in 2024. Now I am looking for a way to convert them to Rich Text format. Is there a way to do this? The problem

    • Webinar Recording: Maximizing Productivity with Bigin's Mobile Apps

      Dear Biginners, Hope you're doing well! As part of our ongoing Masterclass series, we’ve just completed an exciting webinar that explores the capabilities of our mobile apps. Whether it’s managing deals, communicating with customers, or meeting deadlines,

    • Need Help with Zoho CRM Integration

      Hello everyone! 👋 I'm currently in the process of integrating Zoho CRM with an Android gaming website focused on Fire Kirin Game. While everything is progressing smoothly, I'd love to get some expert input to make the integration as efficient and seamless

    • Validating an order by a superior

      Hi, I have a very specific use case for Backstage. Let me know if this is possible or how I could get around this (or if there are no workaround). One of my client uses Backstage to manage internal (on site) events. Participants from different departments

    • Introducing Keyboard Shortcuts for Zoho CRM

      Dear Customers, We're happy to introduce keyboard shortcuts for Zoho CRM features! Until now, you might have been navigating to modules manually using the mouse, and at times, it could be tedious, especially when you had to search for specific modules

    • Lets Talk Recruit: Key Takeaways from Our India Community Meetups

      Welcome back to Let’s Talk Recruit, the series where we bring you real stories, product insights, and community highlights from the world of recruitment. Our last post covered how you can build approval processes with zero follow-ups using Recruit. In

    • Emails Migration to Zoho

      Hi, I am in the middle of a migration from Salesforce to Zoho one. I am stuck on migratiing emails from Salesforce into Zoho. Does anyone have any suggestions?

    • How to set an automatic BCC recipient

      Hi there, is it possible to set a BCC recipient email address that is automatically showing up in the BCC field when you compile an email for a contact or lead? I want pretty much all emails I sent out of Zoho CRM to have the same BCC email recipient,

    • zoho commerce

      "I need to know where to find the wishlist function in Zoho Commerce."

    • Request to Recover Deleted Task List – Project ID: RIV-MOD-10722

      Hi Zoho Team, I hope this message finds you well. My Zoho task list associated with Project ID: RIV-MOD-10722 appears to have been deleted. When I clicked on the task link from the email notification, I received the following message: "Task has been deleted

    • Error 400 Booking

      Added a custom domain to Booking. Am Getting a SSL Error that has some other domain on the SSL and giving a 400 error. Followed instructions and it stated it verified our domain.. However it is not working. Please Help!

    • Popup Input Fields on Kanban View

      Hi, I have modified the default deals module in zoho crm and using it with kanban view , I've configured my blueprint to ask for necessary input fields on stage updates but it only works on the deal details page. What I want to achieve is to show these

    • Zoho Developer Hangout (ZDH) – Episode 19 | Catalyst for Zoho Developers

      Hey developers! Ready to shift gears from writing long Deluge scripts to building with single-purpose functions and powerful service calls? This session is for Zoho developers who are familiar with typical approaches to working in the Deluge environment

    • Why is it so difficult to login to zoho store dashboard

      I have logged in using zoho id and unable to access dashboard from past 30 mins - why is it so difficult to go dashboard of my own store?

    • Problem with CRM Connection not Refreshing Token

      I've setup a connection with Zoom in the CRM. I'm using this connection to automate some registrations, so my team doesn't have to manually create them in both the CRM and Zoom. Connection works great in my function until the token expires. It does not refresh and I have to manually revoke the connection and connect it again. I've chatted with Zoho about this and after emailing me that it couldn't be done I asked for specifics on why and they responded. "The connection is CRM is not a feature to

    • Zoho Thrive is getting a revamp: Here’s what’s changing

      We’re excited to bring you an upgraded Zoho Thrive experience! This update features a more intuitive interface, improved navigation, and enhancements to help you manage your affiliate and loyalty programs with ease. What’s new? A more flexible start:

    • Next Page