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A/B testing for landing pages

A/B Testing for Landing Pages in WordPress: The Easy Guide 

Written By: author avatar Stacey Corrin
author avatar Stacey Corrin
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.
     Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Turner John
reviewer avatar Turner John
John Turner is the co-founder of SeedProd. He has over 20+ years of business and development experience and his plugins have been downloaded over 25 million times.

A/B testing for landing pages is one of the fastest ways to boost conversions. By comparing two versions, you can find quick wins for landing page optimization with A/B testing without redesigning everything.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up split testing for landing pages step by step, the best A/B testing tools to try, and common mistakes to avoid.

Steps to A/B test your landing pages:

What Is A/B Testing for Landing Pages?

A/B testing for landing pages is a technique where you create two versions of a landing page. Each version has a unique tweak, like a new value proposition or a different call-to-action.

What Is A/B testing for landing pages?

Your visitors randomly see one of these versions. The aim is to determine which update leads to more engagement, like clicks or sign-ups, from your audience.

Why Test Landing Pages?

Testing your landing pages helps you make data-driven decisions instead of relying on gut instinct. Even small changes, like a headline or button color, can shift your results in a big way.

  • Higher conversions: On average, landing pages convert at around 5.89% across industries. A/B testing helps you beat that baseline by finding out what works best for your audience.
  • Data over guesswork: 71% of companies run at least two tests per month. The reason is simple—testing replaces assumptions with real evidence.
  • Reduced risk: Instead of overhauling a design and hoping it works, A/B testing lets you validate changes step by step.
  • Insights into behavior: Tests often reveal surprising user preferences, giving you ideas for other marketing campaigns.

If your goal is landing page optimization with A/B testing, start small and improve the elements that move conversions first.

Over time, these incremental optimizations compound, helping you get more leads, sales, and engagement without increasing your ad spend.

A/B Testing vs. Multivariate Testing vs. Split URL Testing

You’ll often hear terms like A/B testing, multivariate testing, and split URL testing. They sound similar, but they work a little differently.

A/B Testing vs. Multivariate Testing vs. Split URL Testing
  • A/B Testing: Compares two versions of a page with one key difference (like the CTA button color).
  • Multivariate Testing: Tests multiple changes at once, such as a new headline and a new image, to see which combination works best.
  • Split URL Testing: Sends visitors to entirely different URLs. This is useful when you want to compare big design or layout changes instead of small tweaks.

Most beginners should start with A/B tests since they’re the fastest path to landing page optimization with A/B testing.

Best A/B Testing Tools for Landing Pages

Here are the best A/B testing tools I recommend for split testing landing pages in WordPress. Pick one, then follow the steps below.

  • OptinMonster: Besides its conversion rate optimization (CRO) features, OptinMonster offers A/B testing. You can test multiple versions of opt-in forms to identify the best-performing design, copy, and more.
  • Thrive Optimize: An A/B testing tool from Thrive Themes. It works seamlessly with Thrive Architect, their primary website builder. This makes changing and testing versions of your landing pages straightforward.
  • VWOA user-friendly A/B testing platform with an easy visual editor and multiple testing options. It also works seamlessly with SeedProd.
  • ABtesting.ai: This tool uses AI to automate A/B testing. It continuously tests and optimizes, learning from each visitor to maximize conversions over time.

How to A/B Split Test Landing Pages in WordPress

In this guide, I’ll show you how to A/B test SeedProd landing pages using VWO.

VWO A/B split testing tool

I recommend VWO because it has an easy interface, advanced testing, and WordPress integration. Plus, it offers a 30-day full-feature free trial, which lets you explore its features before committing to a subscription.

VWO also works on top of SeedProd’s page builder and templates.

Here’s a step-by-step guide showing you how to A/B split test a landing page made with SeedProd using VWO.

1. Set Up Your VWO Account

First, visit the VWO homepage and sign up for a free trial.

VWO full featured free trial

After entering your details, VWO will send a verification email to your provided email address. Click the link in the email to confirm your account and proceed.

After confirming your account, you’ll need to add more details to your profile. Type in your full name and phone number. Then, pick your country and select your department. It should fit your role, like Marketing, Product, or Development.

Now, select the products you want to try. Choose the VWO Testing – Web option for split testing and click Next.

Select VWO products

The setup is complete; your next step is to connect VWO to your website.

On the next screen, click the Connect Now button.

Connect VWO to your WordPress website

Here, you’ll see 3 options: Website, Mobile App, and SeverSide.

Select the ‘Website’ option and click Next.

VWO website connection

Now, enter your website’s domain name. VWO uses this to generate your SmartCode and auto-verify the installation.

Enter domain name for your website

After, click Add Domain.

2. Install the VWO SmartCode

VWO should automatically detect your site runs on WordPress. This makes adding its SmartCode to your site easier.

Instead of copying and pasting code onto every page, you can install and activate the VWO WordPress plugin.

To do this, click the ‘download the plugin here’ link, which saves the plugin ZIP file to your computer.

Download VWO WordPress plugin

Then, go to Plugins » Add New Plugin from your WordPress dashboard and upload the file you downloaded.

Click ‘Choose file,’ select the file from your computer, and click Install Now.

Install VWO WordPress plugin

After installing the plugin, click the Activate Plugin button.

Activate WVO WordPress Plugin

Upon activation, go to Plugins » Installed Plugins and click ‘Settings’ on the VWO plugin.

VWO plugin settings

On this page, enter your VWO Account ID in the first text field, then click Save Changes.

Add your VWO account ID in the plugin settings

You can find your Account ID in the top right corner of your VWO dashboard.

VWO account ID

Now, you can return to your VWO dashboard and enter your URL to check the code is installed correctly.

You should see a success message similar to our example:

VWO smart code installed success message

You’re now ready to start your first A/B split test.

3. Create a New A/B Test

Start creating a new A/B test for your landing page by clicking Testing » A/B on your VWO dashboard.

Creaste an AB Test

Here, you’ll see details on how VWO tests your pages:

  1. Easy-to-Use Editor: Create tests using a visual editor or VWO’s developer-friendly code editor to build advanced tests.
  2. Cross-platform testing: Test your website traffic across mobiles, tablets, and desktops.
  3. Powered by SmartStats: Bayesian statistics to provide accurate and transparent results.

Click Create an A/B Test to get started.

4. Define the Landing Page URL

Now, you’ll see a page where you can tell VWO which landing page to test.

First, click the pencil icon to name the test. This makes it easier to identify if you run multiple tests.

Edit AB test name

Then, enter the URL of the web page you want to test. This is the URL that people see in their browser address bar when they visit your landing page. 

Enter landing page URL for ab testing

A/B testing with VWO allows you to test multiple pages or a larger set of pages using specific URLs. However, we’ll keep this guide simple using a single URL.

Expert Tip: Ensure you double-check the URL or URL pattern you’ve selected for your test. You might test the wrong page and get inaccurate or irrelevant results if there’s an error.

5. Create Landing Page Variations

After defining your landing page URL, click the Variations tab.

Here, you’ll see a Control page, your original version (version A), and the option to add a variation (version B).

Click the ‘Add variation’ link.

Add a variation

This creates a duplicate of your page you can edit based on what you want to change and test.

What Should I A/B Test First on a Landing Page?

Here’s a simple order of operations for landing page optimization with A/B testing:

  1. Headline: Experiment with different header phrasings, lengths, or tones to see which grabs attention best and prompts the reader to stay longer.
  2. Images: Try swapping images or altering their placement to see how they affect conversion rates.
  3. Call-to-Action Button (CTA): Experiment with the text, button color, and size of CTAs to see which generates more clicks. You can specify what you’re offering in the CTA text, which can help SEO.
  4. Form Length: Try short forms with minimal form fields versus longer, more detailed ones to determine your audience’s preference.
  5. Content and Offers: Experiment with different offers or content presentations. Even slight tweaks in landing page copy or formatting can lead to different user responses.
  6. Layout and Design: Experiment with different page designs and page layouts to find the most user-friendly and engaging experience.

After creating a variation, click the Edit button.

edit variation

This opens VWO’s visual editor, where you can choose which elements to adjust.

VWO visual editor with a/b testing for landing pages

Begin by selecting the element you’d like to change. With your selection made, you can make modifications. 

For each element, VWO offers several editing options. You can alter text, replace images, or make broader visual changes.

We’ll change the background color of the CTA button. This option is in the ‘Styles’ tab of the element customization options.

customize CTA background color for split testing

Repeat this for every variation you want to test, then click Save and Continue in the bottom right corner.

Expert Tip: Ensure you only change one element for each page variation. This way, each version has one distinct difference.

The aim is to experiment, so don’t hesitate to be bold with your changes. Aim for clear variations to evaluate which leads to better landing page conversions.

6. Define Your Test Goals and Metrics

Next, select the Metrics tab in your VWO dashboard. This page lets you choose what VWO will track to gauge the success of each variant. 

A/B split testing metrics

Typical conversion goals for landing pages are sign-ups, sales, or form submissions. Pick a goal that matches the action you want your visitors to take.

You might want to track conversion rates, click-through rates, or the amount of time spent on the page.

  • Conversion rates measure the percentage of visitors who complete the desired action.
  • Click-through rates indicate how many visitors click on a specific feature, and time spent on the page can show visitor interest and engagement. 

If your goal is to get more email subscribers, focus on the conversion rate of the sign-up form. But if you want to boost engagement with a specific feature on your page, consider using metrics like the amount of time spent on the page or how far visitors scroll.

In VWO, you can get highly specific by entering the CSS class of a page element. For example, we’ve selected the CSS class of the button we customized.

Create a metric for split testing

7. Configure Optional Settings

VWO also offers advanced settings you can fine-tune:

  • Visitor Segments: Direct landing page tests at audiences based on location, device, or past activity. For example, you could make a landing page for mobile users.
  • Traffic Allocation: Divide your website traffic among landing page versions. You may choose an equal 50-50 split or test a new design on 30% of visitors while keeping the original design for the rest. 
  • Test Duration: Decide a start and end date, or run tests indefinitely until you’re confident in the findings. 
More split test configuration options

Before moving on, click Save Now to save your changes.

8. Launch Your A/B Testing for Landing Pages

After setting up your variations and goals, you’re ready to start your A/B test. Simply click the Start Test button in VWO.

Start a/b testing for landing pages

Your A/B test is active, and VWO will split your traffic according to your guidelines.

During this test, landing page visitors will randomly see one of your variants.

Each visitor to a variant is considered a “visit” for that particular version. If a visitor accomplishes the goal of your test (e.g., clicking a CTA button), it counts as a “conversion” for that version.

9. Analyze Your A/B Test Results

After starting your test, you can monitor the results in your VWO dashboard.

Split test is running

You’ll see important stats like conversion and click-through rates, helping you understand which version performs better. 

However, it can take some time before you see accurate results. Just be patient and let the data build up over time.

a/b testing for landing pages results

A/B Testing Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid

Running an effective A/B test isn’t just about setting it up — it’s about following proven practices and avoiding the traps that lead to bad data. Here’s what to do (and what not to do):

  • ✅ Test One Element at a Time: Changing too many things at once makes it impossible to know what worked. Keep each variation focused.
  • ✅ Focus on High-Impact Elements: Start with your headline, call-to-action, or pricing — areas most likely to affect conversions.
  • ✅ Use a Large Enough Sample Size: Small traffic = unreliable results. Run your test long enough to reach statistical significance.
  • ✅ Track the Right Metrics: Tie your tests to real goals like sign-ups, sales, or clicks — not just “time on page.”
  • ❌ Ending Tests Too Early: Cutting a test short can give misleading winners. Wait until you’ve reached significance.
  • ❌ Testing Without a Hypothesis: Don’t just “try things.” Every test should answer a clear question (e.g., does a shorter form increase sign-ups?).
  • ❌ Ignoring User Behavior: Use heatmaps and session recordings to see how people interact — don’t just look at numbers.
  • ❌ Forgetting to Document Results: Keep a record of what you tested and learned, so you can build on insights over time.

FAQs on A/B Testing for Landing Pages

What should I A/B test first on a landing page?
Start with high-impact elements like the headline, call-to-action button, and hero image. These are usually the easiest wins for improving conversions.
How long should I run an A/B test on a landing page?
Run your test until you reach statistical significance, not just a set number of days. For most sites, this can take a couple of weeks or more, depending on your traffic.
Can I do split testing for landing pages without coding?
Yes. Most of the best A/B testing tools for WordPress let you create variations with a visual editor, so you don’t need to touch any code.
What sample size is needed for A/B testing?
The more visitors you have, the more reliable your results. A small site may need to run tests longer to collect enough data, while a high-traffic site can reach significance faster.

Next Steps

A/B testing is crucial for improving user experience and conversion rates. With your new knowledge of A/B testing for landing pages, it’s time to dive in.

You can also consider the following guides for optimizing your landing page:

Thanks for reading! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment with any questions and feedback.

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author avatar
Stacey Corrin Writer
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.

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