'Net Features : testing

Master List of Testing Tools

Allison Howen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:34:00 GMT

Regardless of how talented your digital design team may be, it is always important to leverage testing tools to guarantee that your website is running at peak performance.

Luckily, there is a plethora of testing tools available, which can help Web workers examine everything from site speed and capabilities to conversion funnels and customer emotions.

However, before committing to a testing platform, it will serve you well to research the available options, as a tool that works for one business, may not for another. To get started, check out this diverse list of testing tools:

Quick Testing Tools

FiveSecondTest – This testing tool’s name is pretty self-explanatory, because FiveSecondTest enables users to quickly build and launch tests and review results. For example, once a user uploads a screenshot or mock-up, they simply need to set up questions and then launch the test. Then, test takers have five seconds to view the mock-up and answer the questions. FiveSecondTest collects responses and extracts the most frequent keywords so that test administrators can easily review results.

UserTesting.com – This on-demand usability testing tool enables Web workers to create tests and then either select participants from the company’s user panel or run tests with the user’s live site visitors. Typically, users receive test feedback within an hour, which includes videos of participants taking the test and written answers from a personalized questionnaire. Additionally, test administrators can interact with test takers by asking follow-up questions after the test has been completed.

Pingdom – This quick and easy-to-use tool enables Web workers to test the speed of their websites. It identifies and rates aspects of a website that are fast, slow and too big. Users can then analyze this information to optimize site speed and performance.

Load Impact – Website owners can find out how much traffic their site can handle with the Load Impact tool. This testing tool is based in the cloud, and provides users with large scale load tests with up to 50,000 simulated users, the ability to emulate multiple user type scenarios and real-time testing. The platform also generates reports that include multiple charts and measurement metrics.

Usabilla – The Usabilla platform provides Web workers with live feedback so that websites can be optimized based on the feedback of real-time customers. Unlike other solutions, Usabilla actually measures customer emotions through an interactive tab. When site visitors click on this tab they can rate any part of a website by selecting one of five different emotions. Furthermore, site visitors can also add tags or comments to provide more details about their experience.

Traditional Website Testing Tools

Maxymiser – Maxymiser’s MaxTEST solution provides website owners with A/B and Multivariate testing tools, which can help optimize the customer experience. The feedback is derived from live online traffic, which provides users with metrics that can be leveraged to enhance the brand experience in order to increase conversion rates and the number of repeat customers.

Monetate – The TestLab solution from Monetate enables users to create advanced A/B and multivariate tests. Users simply need to fill in the solution’s sentence-based test builder by answering Who, What, When and Why. Furthermore, TestLab offers multi-page testing campaign functionality, which allows users to build tests around various page types or conversion funnels in order to analyze customer experiences that span multiple website pages.

Sitecore – This testing solution is the best of both worlds because it is robust, yet easy to use. The solution helps users create A/B and multivariate tests to analyze page components or entire site items. Moreover, users don’t need a team of programmers to create tests because Sitecore offers easy-to-use building tools, including check boxes, sliders and wizards.

SiteSpect – SiteSpect offers testing tools for both A/B testing and multivariate testing. The company’s wizard-driven interface enables users to build and run tests quickly, as well as evaluate metrics both during and after each campaign. Additionally, users can conduct serial testing to optimize site performance even further.

Vertster – This multivariate testing software enables users to test features, such as logos, copy, conversion funnels, forms, messages price points and customer service messages. The platform is built around a point-and-click WYSIWYG test editor, which enables users to quickly create and launch tests. Vertster offers five different versions of its platform, which can be used to help anyone from entrepreneurs to enterprises.

LiveBall – Web workers can leverage the LiveBall platform to create and conduct both A/B and multivariate tests. It is important to note that this platform enables users to build tests without codes or developers. Tests can be created to analyze website items such as content, forms, messaging and offers.

Google Analytics Content Experiments – Website owners can test elements of their site with this testing tool that is integrated into Google Analytics. With Content Experiments, users can set goals inside of their Google Analytics account and then tweak site elements, such as page design, layout and content, to meet those goals.

Multi-Channel Testing Tools

Autonomy – This company’s multivariate testing solution enables users to test specific site elements, full-page structures, email, keywords and online advertisements. The platform also integrates with most Web content management systems and offers users customizable dashboards and robust reports so that they can make data-based decisions for better performance across channels.

Webtrends – The Webtrends online testing platform helps users optimize key performance indicators, such as conversion rates, form completions, lead captures and time spent on site. The platform’s team of testing experts help businesses plan, deploy and analyze testing results within months so that Web workers can improve engagement across all channels.

Adobe – Web workers can use the Adobe Test&Target tool to execute A/B or multivariate tests across all channels. The tests can be set up to target specific audience segments so that marketers are able to measure content’s effectiveness and relevance. Furthermore, the platform's automated campaign management allows users to use self-optimizing campaigns to ensure that the most effective targeting scenarios are shown more often.

Have we left your favorite testing tool off this list? If so, please add it in the comment section below.

Build a Prototype, Test it with Solidify

Allison Howen — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Testing is probably the most important aspect of website development, because it provides developers and site owners with evidence of how user-friendly specific design elements are.

However, sometimes the testing process can prove to be time consuming. The developers at Zurb had this issue in mind when they built a new Web application that allows users to quickly assemble interactive prototypes for user testing across all devices.

The application, called Solidify, allows users to build a clickable prototype with sketches, wireframes or mock-ups by uploading screens and then using hotspots to link them together. Then, users can decide to receive general feedback for specific tasks, on individual pages or the entire prototype.

After the prototype has been created, the developer can share the test with Zurb’s network of testers as well as through email and social media via a secure URL. After the test has been administered, Zurb provides its clients with detailed result reports, which can include tester comments. The results can also be sorted by demographic information, so that it is easy to view how a target audience interacts with the prototype. Then, the result reports can be used to analyze tester behaviors and make data-based decisions for optimizing website performance.

Solidify starts at a price point of $19 a month, however, the company is currently also offering a 30-day free trial.

Get Personal with Adobe

Allison Howen — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:50:00 GMT

Personalization is an important aspect of marketing – not only does it attract consumers' attention, but it also leaves a lasting impression.

This is why the new Test and Target Adobe Audience Manager integration is a great tool for marketers who are looking to add some personalization into their campaigns. The integration enables users to leverage data from Adobe’s Audience Manager in order to customize consumer experiences across all digital platforms.

According to Adobe's blog, the best way to explain the power of the integration is to explain the value it brings to clients. For example, if a travel company wants to run a campaign that targets business travelers in Los Angelas and New York, the company could leverage Adobe’s Audience Manager to target traits such as high travel frequency, as well as individual signals like search activity on third-party sites for travel, or even include geo-specific information such as LA or NYC-based users. Then, with that information, the marketer could build a NYC/LA Travel Warrior Persona and customize offers or content on landing pages for this specific customer.

Additionally, marketers can also target consumers as they leave the site by serving relevant banner ads on third-party sites – meaning that the integration can also be used for display ad retargeting.

This personalization enables brands to leave a lasting impression on consumers. According to Adobe's blog, implementation of the integration is pretty straightforward and doesn't impact site load times. It is also important to note that the integration is available in Flash, so that (as previously mentioned) marketers can personalize their ad campaigns.

Content Experiments in Google Analytics

Pete Prestipino — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Conversion optimization as a digital marketing and Web development practice has exploded in popularity over the past five years. It has also moved those in pursuit of Web success a whole lot closer to their conversion and revenue goals.

In essence, we’re using a lot more data now to make website-related decisions – and that’s a good thing.

In many respects, Google has taken the lead in fostering interest in conversion testing (and some would argue spearheaded innovation, as well) with its Google Website Optimizer (GWO) solution. An announcement late last week, however, indicated that its popular and widely used standalone testing solution would be retired, replaced with Content Experiments, which, in short, brings GWO’s testing capabilities into Google Analytics.

Much like GWO, Content Experiments provides marketers and developers with the ability to measure, test and optimize, but now for goals that are/were defined directly in Google Analytics.

By providing access to important features including optimized goal conversions, tagging and report segmentation, users (marketers, developers and “optimizers”) will be able to gather insights on which page designs, layouts and content are most effective by supporting the development of several versions of a page and ultimately displaying different versions to different visitors.

Elastic Path 6.3 Delivers Subscriptions & Testing Features

Pete Prestipino — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:40:00 GMT

Elastic Path Software released a new version (6.3) of the enterprise ecommerce platform. The platform now includes Subscriptions and A/B Split Testing-features which could help providers of digital goods and services stay competitive in the growing online market.

The Subscriptions feature of Elastic Path 6.3 enables enterprises to sell digital goods and services with a recurring charge as part of a bundle or as a standalone item - ideal for software and game vendors, consumer and business services, and providers of digital media such as books, publications, music, video, and information.

Elastic Path 6.3 will also include A/B Split Testing, integrating the multivariate testing capabilities of Adobe® Test & Target to combine price testing with web experience testing - giving enterprises the capability to discover the most profitable price points.

In addition to Subscriptions and A/B Split Testing, Elastic Path Commerce 6.3 also includes Advanced Search, which allows users to filter searches based on more complex criteria such as price ranges, and the exclusion/inclusion of certain brands-just one more feature from Elastic Path Commerce 6.3 to help enterprises stay competitive in the growing market of digital goods and services.

Vertster White Label Multivariate Testing for Agencies

Mike Phillips — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:15:00 GMT

Vertster has released a suite of their multivariate testing and optimization tools as white-label ready for online marketing and SEO firms. In essence, it's a way for agencies to differentiate themselves from competitors. "This makes it easy for the agency to brand themselves and provide value to the customer," says Ralf VonSosen, VP of Marketing for Vertster. The tools even offer custom CSS so the agency can control the look and feel - matching their brand.

What could be realy attractive to many agencies is Vertster's flexible pricing model. The agency charges a flat monthly fee of $50, then a small fee for each test run. In this way, the agency is not paying for services they are not using, and can build the cost of the tests into their service charges for customers. "It removes the risk for the agency," says VonSosen. "It's for agencies that want the service but don't want to take on a fixed cost."

Vertster is owned by U-PRO, Inc., a Web marketing agency based in Salt Lake City. To learn more about the white-label solution visit Vertster online.

Testing and Optimization: SiteSpect, CSN Stores Study

Administrator — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:20:00 GMT

SiteSpect has helped leading online retailer CSN Stores increase their sales by 7% by utilizing their non-obtrusive website conversion optimization technology....(read more)