What is multivariate testing?
Multivariate testing, in the context of email marketing, is a sophisticated method used to optimize and improve the performance of email campaigns. It is a process that involves testing multiple variables of an email simultaneously to determine which combination of elements performs best. Unlike A/B testing, which compares two versions of an email to see which one performs better, multivariate testing can analyze the effectiveness of various combinations of elements within the email.
For example, you could test the subject line, the sender, and the content of an email to see which combination results in an increase of your open rate.
Here’s how multivariate testing breaks down:
- Variables: These are the components of your email you wish to test. In an email, variables might include the subject line, images, headline, body text, call-to-action (CTA) buttons, colors, layout, or any other elements that can be changed.
- Variations: For each variable, you create different versions to test against each other. For example, if you are testing the CTA button, you might have different colors, texts, or placement variations.
- Combinations: Multivariate testing combines the variations of each element to create multiple unique versions of your email. If you have 3 variations of 2 variables, you’ll have a total of 9 different combinations to test.
- Test Group: The email combinations are sent out to segments of your subscriber list. The size of the segments can vary, but each segment must be large enough to provide statistically significant results.
- Analysis: As the results come in, you’ll track key performance indicators (KPIs) like open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, etc. Advanced analytics tools are used to determine which combination of variables led to the best performance according to your specific goal (e.g., more opens, clicks, or conversions).
- Optimization: Based on the data, you can identify which elements have the most significant impact on your email’s performance. You then optimize future emails using the winning combination, thereby improving the effectiveness of your email marketing efforts.
What are the benefits of multivariate testing?
One of the core benefits is the ability to dissect and analyze the impact of each component not just in isolation but in combination with others. This allows email marketers to determine the optimal configuration of elements that work best together to improve engagement and conversion rates.
Instead of wondering whether the subject line, the call-to-action, or the images are the standalone hero of your campaign’s success, multivariate testing provides clarity on their collective influence. For example, a marketer might find that a certain headline paired with a specific image and a brightly colored CTA button yields better results than any of those elements altered individually. This level of insight is a game-changer in crafting emails that resonate with audiences.
With the data derived from multivariate tests, marketers can make informed decisions to refine their email strategy. This data-driven approach reduces guesswork and personal bias, leading to a more scientific method of crafting email content. Marketers can move forward with strategies backed by concrete evidence, ensuring that changes made to email designs and content are not based on hunches but on proven user response.
Moreover, multivariate testing can enhance the user experience by tailoring content to be more in line with what subscribers find engaging and relevant. As a result, this can increase key performance metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. When subscribers receive content that aligns with their preferences and behaviors, they’re more likely to engage positively with the brand, thus fostering loyalty and potentially increasing the lifetime value of customers.
Importantly, the insights gained from multivariate testing can often be applied beyond email marketing. Learnings about effective combinations of message, design, and calls to action can inform strategies across other marketing channels, creating a more cohesive and powerful overall marketing strategy.
What is the difference between multivariate testing and A/B testing?
Multivariate testing and A/B testing are both used to optimize and improve the effectiveness of email campaigns (and other marketing efforts), but they differ in complexity, methodology, and when they are best applied.
A/B Testing, also known as split testing, is the simpler of the two. It involves creating two versions of an email (A and B), which differ in just one key variable. This variable could be anything from the subject line to the call to action. The emails are then sent to a subset of the audience, and the performance of each version is measured against a specific goal, such as click-through or conversion rate. The version that performs better is used for the remainder of the audience.
A/B testing is very straightforward, making it easy to implement and interpret. It’s best used when you’re trying to measure the impact of a single change or when your email list isn’t large enough to support more complex tests.
Multivariate Testing, on the other hand, takes this a step further by examining multiple variables at once. Instead of testing just one element, you can test multiple elements within the same email to see how they interact with one another and what combination produces the best result. For instance, you could test different images, headlines, and button colors all within a single campaign to see which combination leads to higher engagement.
How can multivariate testing help improve my email marketing?
Multivariate testing can significantly enhance your email marketing efforts by providing deep insights into how different elements of your emails influence recipient behavior. Here’s how multivariate testing can be beneficial:
- Comprehensive Optimization: By testing multiple variables at once, you can see not only which elements perform well but also how they interact with one another. This can help you find the best combination of elements that work together, rather than optimizing them in isolation.
- Data-Driven Decisions: It reduces the guesswork in your marketing strategy. With multivariate testing, decisions are made based on concrete data, which can give you a high level of confidence in the changes you implement.
- Improved Engagement and Conversion Rates: Through testing different combinations, you can discover the most effective ways to engage your audience. The insights gained can help you create more compelling content that resonates with your subscribers, leading to better open rates, click-through rates, and ultimately, higher conversions.
- Segmentation and Personalization: The data from multivariate tests can also reveal preferences among different segments of your audience, allowing for more targeted and personalized content. Personalization is a key driver of engagement in email marketing, and multivariate testing can provide the information needed to tailor content effectively.
- Resource Allocation: Knowing which elements have the most significant impact on your goals allows you to allocate your resources more effectively. You can focus on designing elements that matter most to your audience, ensuring that time and money are invested in the areas that yield the highest return.
What are some of the most common types of multivariate tests?
Multivariate tests are a type of A/B testing that allows you to test multiple variants of a page or email at the same time. This can help you determine which combination of elements is most effective for your audience.
There are a number of multivariate tests that you can run, but some of the most common include testing different:
- Headlines
- Images
- CTAs
- Email Copy
- Layouts
What are some of the best tools for multivariate testing?
There are a number of different tools that can be used for multivariate testing, depending on your needs. Some of the most popular tools include Google Optimize, Adobe Target, and VWO.
Google Optimize is a free tool that is offered by Google. It allows you to test different versions of your website or app to see which one will perform the best. You can also use it to test different versions of your email campaigns to see which one generates the most conversions.
Adobe Target is a paid tool that offers a wide range of features for multivariate testing. It allows you to test different versions of your website, app, or email campaigns. You can also use it to target different audiences with different versions of your content.
VWO is another paid tool that offers a wide range of features for multivariate testing. It allows you to test multiple versions of your website, app, or email campaigns. You can also use it to track and monitor the results of your tests so you can see which version is the most successful.