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How to run an A/B Test

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The A/B (or split) testing method evaluates the performance of two variants of a web page, as well as compares them with each other. Split testing also helps to assess the effectiveness of page changes, for example, after adding new design elements or calls to action.

With Short.io, you can test which version of a web page performs better. When clicking a short link, 50% of users will be redirected to the original page, the other 50% — to the variation page. 50% is a default value, you can change it to any other.

To create an A/B Test​

  1. Sign in to your Short.io account.

  2. You can either

    • shorten a link and click on A/B testing and then Close:

      Link created dialog with A/B testing icon highlighted

    or

    • open a short link for editing and navigate to A/B testing:

    Branded links list with edit pencil icon highlighted for A/B testing

  3. In the A/B testing panel the original URL is set by default after shortening. You can specify a variation page:

    A/B testing panel with original page and variation page URL fields

  4. If necessary, adjust the percentage of users redirected to an alternative URL. The default setting is 50%:

    A/B testing panel with percentage slider adjusted to 35% and Save button

  5. Click on Save to confirm.

Hereafter, when a short link is clicked, the given percentage of users will be directed to the original page, while the remaining percentage will be sent to the variation page.