What is Split URL testing?

Split URL testing is a valuable technique for testing multiple variations of your website by hosting them on different URLs. This approach randomly distributes website traffic among the variations, and conversions are tracked to determine which variation performs best.

In a split URL test, you create different website versions and assign them unique URLs. Each variation represents a different set of changes or elements that you want to test. The variations can include modifications to design, layout, content, or functionality.

Once the variations are set up on their respective URLs, the traffic to your website is divided among them randomly. This ensures that visitors have an equal chance of being exposed to each variation. As visitors interact with the different versions, their conversions, such as purchases, sign-ups, or any other desired actions, are tracked and recorded.

After collecting a sufficient amount of data, you can analyze the performance of each variation. The key metric for evaluation is the conversion rate, which indicates the percentage of visitors who complete the desired action. By comparing the conversion rates of the different variations, you can identify which version resonates better with your visitors and drives higher conversions.

Split URL testing is preferred when want to make significant changes or completely redesign each page of your website. It allows you to create and test multiple variations of your website on different URLs, enabling you to compare different flows and complex changes. 

In contrast, A/B testing is often used when you want to test smaller changes across your website. It involves comparing two versions of a webpage or element to determine which one performs better. Once a split URL test declares a winner, indicating which variation performed best, you can further optimize and refine your web pages by running an A/B test. This allows you to test smaller changes and fine-tune the winning variation to enhance its effectiveness.

In summary, split URL testing is suitable for testing complete redesigns or major changes to web pages, while A/B testing is more appropriate for testing smaller modifications. By leveraging split URL testing, you can create multiple variations, compare different flows, and test entirely new pages to optimize your website's performance and achieve your goals.