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

    • Zia Agents in Zoho CRM: a better way to set up digital employees

      Hello everyone, If you've been using Zia Agents in Zoho CRM, so far using Connections was the only deployment method you're familiar with. You create an agent in Zia Agents (define its objective, write instructions, use tools, add knowledge base) and

    • Cross Module Filtering – Use Fields from Lookup modules in Custom Views criteria and Advanced Filters

      Hello everyone, Zoho CRM now enables you to achieve deeper filtering of records in a module, using fields of a lookup, thereby enhancing your data management experience manifold. This filtering based on lookup module fields is now available in advanced

    • How can we use Loop Structures in Deluge script?

      Hi, I am using GetRecords() function to fetch records from a module in Zoho CRM,  the number of records is 800+, but GetRecords() function returns 200 records at one time,  So, I want to use loops to achieve my task, but it gives me error when i use any loop instead of For each loop. How can I perform my task? Please help Zoho community. Thanks 

    • Stock Count

      The stock count is a nice new feature, but we cannot figure out how to: 1. Use it without assigning to a person, we have a team or one of multiple do stock counts as do most any company. 2. Add any extra fields to what the "counter" sees. The most important

    • SalesIQ Operator Activity Reports in Zoho Analytics

      I'm busy building a dashboard in Zoho Analytics and I want to include SalesIQ stats in the dashboard, but I'm unable to get the statistics mentioned in the attached image. Any idea where I can get the stats for Operator Activity?

    • Multi-Select Field Option Limit Inquiry

      Hello FSM Team, We would like to inquire about the limitation of the Multi-Select field in Zoho FSM. Currently, the system allows a maximum of 10 selectable options, and we encountered the message: “Option count more than allowed count of 10.” Issue:

    • MS Teams integration

      I followed all the steps to configure the bot chanel notifications, for all events. All configuration worked fine, without issues, but I don´t recevie any notification in the Teams chanel. Must I configurate aditional permission set in MS 365 or Zoho

    • All new Address Field in Zoho CRM: maintain structured and accurate address inputs

      Availability Update: 29 September 2025: It's currently available for all new sign-ups and for existing Zoho CRM orgs which are in the Professional edition exclusively for IN DC users. 2 March 2026: Available to users in all DCs except US and EU DC. 24

    • Zoho Bookings - Feature Request - Services Which Include A Resource and Consultant

      Hi Bookings Team, My feature request is to have the ability to add Consultants and Resources to Services. Use case: Your business provides first aid training and there are certain equpment you require to provide the half day training. There are only specific

    • Six important date functions every professional should know

      You probably use plenty of formulas already, but there are some that are essential for people in business roles, such as date functions. These tools help with scheduling, predicting, and tracking, and they can be useful whether you're dealing with payrolls,

    • Inactive Items - Make Less Prominent by Default

      Currently, when one marks an Item as "Inactive", it really doesn't do much of anything to hide it or get it out of the way. Search and reporting within Finance should, by default, hide inactive Items from standard reports, searches, etc. If one specifically

    • Why Contracts Should Not Be Downloaded And Sent During Negotiation

      During contract negotiation, it may seem easy to download a document, send it to the counterparty, have the counterparty make changes, and send it back. But this approach creates serious risks around security, version control, and compliance. ISO 27001:2022

    • Add Native “Create GitHub Branch” Action for Tasks and Bugs

      Hi Zoho Projects Team, I would like to submit a feature request to enhance the GitHub integration in Zoho Projects by adding the ability to initiate a GitHub branch directly from a Task or Bug. The Current Limitation: Currently, Zoho Projects lacks a

    • Super Admin Logging in as another User

      How can a Super Admin login as another user. For example, I have a sales rep that is having issues with their Accounts and I want to view their Zoho Account with out having to do a GTM and sharing screens. Moderation Update (8th Aug 2025): We are working

    • Solving the bug in Zoho Writer API for styling

      So... the Zoho Writer APIs for programatically creating a document do not respect a template's style. The result is that any document you generate via API needs to be manually, paragraph by paragraph, reformatted. That bug alone is sufficient to render

    • Is anyone else experiencing downtime on Desk?

      Desk is slow/crashing and not stable the last couple of hours. Is anyone else experiencing the same issues?

    • Push Notification for New Bookings in Zoho Bookings App

      when a someone schedules an appointment through the booking page, is there any option to receive a push notification in the mobile app?

    • Data Import into Zoho Forms

      Hi everyone, I am migrating several Google Forms into Zoho Forms. I can recreate the forms, but I also need to bring over historical response data currently stored in Google Sheets. I want to keep using that data inside Zoho for analysis, reporting, and

    • Add Native GitHub Pull Request Creation & Management from Tasks/Bugs

      Hi Zoho Projects Team, I am submitting a feature request to enhance our development lifecycle by enabling native GitHub Pull Request (PR) creation and management directly within Zoho Projects. The Current Limitation: Currently, the GitHub integration

    • Extend GitHub Commit Integration to Tasks in Zoho Projects

      Hello Zoho Projects Team, We hope you are doing well. We would like to submit a feature request regarding the current GitHub integration in Zoho Projects, specifically the ability to link commit information. Current Limitation: As of now, Zoho Projects

    • Zoho Projects API requests limit question

      Hello, Regarding the API request limit of 100 requests per 2 minutes, I have implemented a control mechanism which, if the limit is reached, will wait the required amount of time before sending new requests. However, this mechanism seems to be failing,

    • What is the esacalation email for Zoho Support/ Zoho One/ Zoho Workplace ?

      Hello, My business has been stalled due to Zoho duplicating workdrive with switching on zoho one trial. There are two workdrives - one with my files mapped to workplace and one empty mapped to zoho one.-- integrationg programs are super consfused and

    • How to show Assemblies AND component items in a report

      Hi Is there any way in Analytics to create a report that shows the Composite Item AND the Component Items with mapped quantity? It seems that the component item is not exposed in any table that I can find. Also, the same question but for Stock on Hand.....this

    • How can I use the API to add a drop-shipping address to a sales order for one-time use?

      I need to be able to add a drop-shipping address for one-time use to a sales order via the API. Adding every such address to the contact (customer), then feeding the shippingaddress_id into the sales order, is not an acceptable approach; we have some

    • Mass Update Option for Changing Work Order Owner

      Hello FSM Team/Mr. Abid, We would like to inquire if there is an option to mass update or bulk change the Owner of Work Orders in Zoho FSM. Current Situation: At the moment, the Owner of a Work Order can only be changed individually, which becomes time-consuming

    • Make and receive calls from Bigin's Android app

      Hello everyone! We're happy to announce that Bigin's Android app (version 2.0.0) now supports built-in telephony, RingCentral, and Zoho Voice, all of which enable users to make and receive calls from the Bigin app. You can only configure the telephony

    • Account Watchlist: Order of accounts in the watchlist

      Is there a way we can sort the order in which accounts are shown in the accounts watchlist in Zoho Books dashboard?

    • GST composition scheme dealer - treatment for client expenses reimbursement

      Hello, I am new to GST and need your help. I am registered as a composition dealer and attract 6% gst charges. In bill of supply, there are also expenses done on behalf of client for which I seek reimbursement AT ACTUAL with NO MARKUP. As I understand,

    • Zoho Books: tax is not automatically pulled from product-data anymore - why?

      Hi, until a short time ago, you could set a default taxrate for each product/item. This taxrate automatically appeared each time the item was chosen in an invoice or quote. Why does this not work anymore? The field is still there at the product record,

    • Kaizen #237 - Zoho CRM APIs: GraphQL & COQL- When to use which?

      Hello everyone, Welcome to another week of Kaizen. This Kaizen post discusses Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs and COQL APIs and is meant to be a decision guide on selecting between them. It aims to help developers to choose the most efficient approach in different

    • Introducing SlyteUI : From Idea to a Working Interface in Minutes

      Hello everyone! Are you spending hours building basic UIs? Does even the smallest customization feel like a major task? CRM customization should feel intuitive and straightforward, not time consuming or exhausting. SlyteUI makes this possible by simplifying

    • Deluge Update Function

      I am struggling to get this function to work no matter what changes I make - this is the constant error (my code is 30 lines long): Data type of the argument of the function 'get' did not match the required data type of '[BIGINT]'at lineNumber 31 I am

    • Add a way to connect Log360 Cloud logs with Zoho analytics

      Hi, Several month ago Log360 Cloud was added to zoho one - and this is great. But as far as I see there is no prebuilt way to connect Zoho analytics to the logs we have in Log360 Cloud. Please add a prebuilt connection like we have for so many other zoho

    • Option to Convert Request to a Specific Work Order (Parent WO Linking)

      Hello FSM Team/Mr. Abid, We would like to inquire if it is possible to convert a Request into a specific existing Work Order (as a child or linked Work Order) instead of always creating a new one. Context: An inspection/emergency Work Order is completed

    • Automation of CRM Items to FSM Work Order (Parts Section)

      Hello FSM Team, We would like to inquire about the possibility of automating the transfer of item details from CRM to FSM Work Orders (Parts section), specifically for LPO WO Job type. Currently, in CRM, we have detailed item information including: 1.

    • Introducing Product Catalog in Bigin

      Greetings, I hope all of you are doing well. For many small businesses, sharing products and collecting customer interest often involves multiple tools, manual follow-ups, or even building a full ecommerce website. To address this challenge, we're excited

    • Creating a stakeholder register for a Project

      Should we connect and/or associate Projects to Contacts to build a stakeholder register? If a Contact is associated to more than one Project and has different roles across the Projects, what is the best way to parse this information?

    • Whatsapp Limitation Questions

      Good day, I would like to find out about the functionality or possibility of all the below points within the Zoho/WhatsApp integration. Will WhatsApp buttons ever be possible in the future? Will WhatsApp Re-directs to different users be possible based

    • Displaying Rate Inclusive of GST per unit

      Hello, Currently when I enter the pricing of a line item it shows the overall amount (price including tax * quantity). I would like to see price/unit inclusive of GST. Is there any way to simplify this and to be able to view it? I've attached my current

    • Announcing Zoho Sheet desktop app for macOS and Windows (Beta)

      Hello Sheet users, We know you’ve been waiting for this one. It has always been the top priority on our roadmap to provide a single native desktop app for macOS and Windows that works both online and offline. Today, we are excited to announce that the

    • Next Page