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A/B Testing Forms

Use A/B Testing to Optimize Your Forms

Ira avatar
Written by Ira
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Use A/B testing for forms to experiment with different versions of your pop-up forms and understand which variation performs best.

By comparing two form styles, you can make data-driven decisions to improve conversion rates and enhance the user experience.

This guide will walk you through how to set up and use A/B testing for forms in Omnisend.


Before You Begin

  • For the time being, A/B testing is exclusively available for popup forms.

  • When testing forms with or without teasers, keep in mind that views of the teaser are not counted in the results. This applies to teasers set before or before and after the form appears. Instead, we suggest to A/B test a form with a teaser set to appear after the form or a form with different teaser texts.

  • Results may not be comparable when testing forms with different targeting settings. For consistent comparisons, use similar targeting to A/B test the form on the same page (e.g., /products).

Benefits

With A/B Testing Forms, you have the flexibility to experiment with various aspects of your popup forms. Here are some popular use cases to get you started:

  1. Different Copywriting. Test variations in the text and messaging of your forms.

  2. Different Visuals. Experiment with images, colors, and graphics.

  3. Look and Feel. Adjust both the visual elements and copywriting for a comprehensive makeover.

  4. Display Settings. Test different triggers or timing for form display.

  5. Single-Step vs. Multi-Step Forms. Explore whether a one-step or multi-step form is more effective.

  6. Contact Information. Experiment with the amount of information you collect, such as email only, email plus SMS, email plus name, etc.

  7. Promotions. Compare different promotions to see which resonates with your audience.

  8. Form with a Teaser vs. Different Style or Text Teaser. Test whether changing the teaser style or text impacts the conversion rates of your form.

  9. Wheel of Fortune vs. No WoF. Test whether adding gamification affects form submissions.

Setup Process

Step 1: Pick Your Form

Go to Forms tab  Click on Create form and choose the popup form you want to work with. Think of this form as a special interaction point with your website visitors.

Step 2: Create Two Versions

Click to start the A/B test under the Behavior Settings of your form. Next, you'll see 2 copies of your original form. Using them, you need to create two different versions of your chosen form:

  • Control Version: Keep the first copy as your original form; you can leave it unchanged. It's your "baseline" for comparison.

  • Experimental Version: Use the second copy as the modified version of the form, where you'll make your preferred changes.

Feel free to modify the second copy the way you'd like to test it; see more ideas above. In our example, we added the First name field to the second step of the form to see which form attracts more subscriptions.

You can always go to the original form by clicking on the form name, and adjust the A/B test settings further.

Step 3: Decide on Traffic Split

Imagine your website as a busy road, and you're deciding how much of the traffic goes through the original form (Control Version) and how much through the modified one (Experimental Version).

Step 4: Start Your Test

Once you've decided on the traffic split and finalized all your edits, you can enable the form by clicking on Start A/B test.

Visitors to your website will see either the version A or B based on the split percentage you have set.

Step 5: Keep an Eye on Results

Now comes the exciting part! You'll want to watch closely to see how each form performs. Go to Reports tab → Forms → Click on your A/B Test Form.

Pay close attention to metrics such as sign-up rate (how many visitors submitted the form). These insights will help you understand what’s working well and where you may need to adjust your form to improve performance.

Step 6: Choose the Winner

After collecting enough data and giving your test some time, you'll want to pick the "winner." This is the form version that does better at getting people to take the action you want, like signing up for your newsletter. This will become your main form.

Step 7: Merge Your Data

Once you choose a winner, you won’t lose any data. All metrics and signups collected from both versions will be automatically merged into the winning form.

By following these steps, you can easily set up A/B testing for your pop-up forms and identify what resonates best with your audience. Think of it as ongoing optimization, helping you fine-tune your forms and improve results over time.

Adjustments During A/B Testing

While setting up your A/B test, you can still access and edit the main form. This is helpful if the form is already live and you need to make adjustments before the test begins.

However, once the A/B test is running, we recommend not making any major further changes to either version. Keeping the forms unchanged ensures accurate, consistent results and a fair comparison between the two versions.

Plan your updates in advance—and let the test run its course to deliver meaningful insights.

FAQ

How can I ensure fair and consistent comparisons when testing forms with different targeting settings?

To ensure that your comparisons are fair and consistent, it's a good practice to A/B test forms on the same page or location of your website. For example, if you want to test different targeting settings, use the same page, such as "/products," as the testing ground.

If I delete a form, what happens to the associated A/B test?

When you delete a form from your list, it will also remove the A/B test associated with that form. The two are interconnected, and by deleting the form, you effectively delete the test as well.

Can I cancel an A/B test that hasn't started yet?

Yes, you have the option to cancel an A/B test if it hasn't been initiated. If you cancel an A/B test before it starts, it will revert to the original form configuration. No data will be lost, and you can make adjustments as needed.

Is it advisable to make small changes to forms during A/B testing?

Yes, it's recommended to make smaller, incremental changes during A/B testing. Making a lot of significant alterations can make it harder to analyze results effectively.

How can I switch between forms during the A/B test setup?

You can switch between forms by selecting the form you want to work on during the setup process. This allows you to create the control and experimental versions.

Can I change the names of the forms being tested in A/B tests?

Absolutely! You can change the names of your forms to help you identify and distinguish them during the testing process. Pick the copy you need under A/B testing click Edit.

Can I have more than two variations in an A/B test?

Currently, the A/B testing feature supports only two variations (A and B). It's not possible to add more variations for a single A/B test.

How long should I run an A/B test?

The duration of an A/B test depends on factors like website traffic and the significance of results. Typically, you should run the test until you see statistically significant changes rather than just a small percentage difference.

How can I test different discounts effectively?

To test different discounts, apply specific tags in the audience management of each form. Use separate automations for segments based on these tags to track and analyze the effectiveness of different discount offers.

Can I cancel or disable an A/B test once it's started?

Once an A/B test has started, the only way to conclude it is to choose a winner. There is no option to cancel the test once it's in progress.


If you run into any challenges, contact our 24/7 Support Team via in-app chat or [email protected].

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