Introduction to Split URL testing

Introduction to Split URL testing

Split URL testing helps you compare two or more versions of a webpage when the versions are available at different URLs.
Unlike an A/B test, where you can use the Visual Editor to make changes to your existing webpage, a Split URL test lets you test a webpage that is already created and hosted at another URL.
For example, you can compare:
  1. Original - https://www.example.com/pricing
  2. Variation - https://www.example.com/pricing-new
PageSense directs eligible visitors to either the original or variation based on your experiment settings and tracks how each version performs against your conversion goals.

When should you use Split URL testing?  

Split URL testing is useful when you want to compare webpages with substantial differences or pages that have been created separately.
You can use Split URL testing to:
  • Compare a redesigned webpage with your existing webpage.
  • Test a completely different page layout or structure.
  • Compare independently developed versions of a landing page.
  • Test pages hosted at different URLs.
  • Evaluate a new webpage before replacing your existing one.
If you only want to test changes to individual elements on your existing webpage, such as a headline, image, button, or form, consider using an A/B test.
 

Split URL testing vs A/B testing  

Both experiment types help you compare different experiences, but the way you create and deliver the variations is different.

 
A/B testing
Split URL testing
How you create the variation
 Use the Visual Editor to modify the webpage
 Use an existing webpage hosted at another URL
Variation URL
 The variation is displayed on the original page URL
 The variation has its own URL
Best suited for
 Testing specific changes to an existing webpage
 Testing substantially different webpages
Example
 Change a CTA button or headline
 Test a completely redesigned landing page

What do you need before creating a Split URL test?  

Before you create your experiment, make sure you have:
  • The URL of the existing webpage you want to test.
  • The URL or URLs of the alternative webpages.
  • The PageSense Tracking Code installed on all pages involved in the experiment.
  • The conversion actions you want to measure.
  • The audience you want to include in the experiment.

Important considerations  

  1. Make sure the variation page is ready : The variation URL should point to a webpage that is accessible to your experiment visitors.
  2. Install the Tracking Code on all pages : The PageSense Tracking Code should be available on the original and variation pages so that PageSense can collect experiment and conversion data.
  3. Avoid targeting the variation URL : If you use URL targeting, make sure your variation URLs aren't included in the experiment's targeting conditions. Otherwise, visitors redirected to a variation may meet the targeting conditions again.
  4. Preserve query parameters when required : If your original URL contains query parameters, you can enable the option to redirect visitors with the relevant query parameters. For example: https://www.example.com/pricing?utm_source=email can pass the relevant parameters when the visitor is redirected to the variation.





We’ve designed this documentation to guide you every step of the way. If you need further assistance or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at support@zohopagesense.com - we’re always here to help!