The Sensationalisation of A/B Testing 
And why it doesn’t work for you 
#MEASUREFEST 
8th October 2014
Manuel da Costa 
@digital_tonic 
DIGITAL TONIC
We have a problem with 
A/B testing 
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Let’s see how good you are at 
A/B testing 
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CONTROL 
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VARIATION 
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VARIATION 
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25% increase in conversions
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Clickthroughs 606% and Purchases 11%
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What we don’t see 
What was the sample size? 
How long did they run the test for? 
Significance of results? 
What was the target segment for the test? 
Did they re-test ?
THROWING 
crap against the wall hoping it sticks 
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A 
B / TESTING
You need a 
Framework 
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Observe 
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Start here 
Your customers
Identify the leaks in your funnel
Get customer insights
Brainstorm 
We believe that changing X for Y customers will result in Z 
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X = variables you want to test 
Y= target segment you want to run the test on 
Z = the outcome i.e. change conversions or user behaviour
Prioritise your test ideas 
Ease of testing 
Impact on bottom line
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A 
B / TESTING 
Select your sample size 
Set your test duration 
QA your test 
Integrate with analytics
Don’t stop your test too early
Review & Iterate 
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Segment your data!!! 
Statistical significance 
http://abtestguide.com/calc/ 
Re-test 
What did you learn?
Observe 
Your customers 
Review & Iterate Brainstorm 
A/BTesting 
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Need inspiration for your A/B Testing? 
LOOK AT YOUR 
DATA 
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Interested in more Conversion Optimisation stuff? 
Get the slides, resources and more 
http://bit.ly/ 
digitaltonicmeasurefest 
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Follow me on twitter : @digital_tonic 
Drop me a line : manuel@digital-tonic.co.uk

The sensationalisation of A/B Testing & Why it doesn't work for you - Measurefest October 2014 talk