Testing AdCopy - The More The Better?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

makethatmoney

New member
Mar 1, 2008
320
2
0
I just threw together a campaign running some short tails and doing some testing, and I am running multiple ad copy for the words. However, I'm not sure which would be better to do. I know that you should always run A/B tests for everything, but does that mean A/B/C/D for ad copy would get you quicker results, or just dilute the data that you are trying to gather?

I also read that the first copy should be polar opposites and then work on it from there depending on how your market responds. Here's what I mean:

A/B test:

You Can Lose Weight Now
Guaranteed Million Pound Loss!
FatLoss.com

You Will Never Lose Weight
You Will Always Be Fat...
FatLoss.com

A/B/C/D test:

You Can Lose Weight Now
Guaranteed Million Pound Loss!
FatLoss.com

You Will Lose Weight Now
Guaranteed Hundred Pound Loss!
FatLoss.com

You Will Never Lose Weight
You Will Always Be Fat...
FatLoss.com

You Will Probably Stay Fat
It Will Eventually Kill You!
FatLoss.com

I'm sure you got the point w/o the examples but would doing an A/B/C/D test be more or less beneficial (than a simple A/B test) when first gathering data?
 


To start off a fresh new campaign, I always go for several ads and not just two. Like you said, you wanna test out how the market responds to your very different ads at first. I often like to break them down by demographic and buyer mode. At least for search.

When you have narrowed it down, go down to only 2 ad copies at a time with only slight differences. Tweak, test, tweak some more, test, repeat. Profit. :)
 
Thanks man. I've truly learned a lot from you. The keyword research tip you gave me in another thread was gold. I printed it out and look it over when I am researching. I'm currently running a campaign on YSM with mainly short tails (high volume) and in position 3-6. However, I'm running at a small loss for the week.

I am just starting to analyze CTR etc (it's been decent so far) but wanted to give it some time.

Any tips or red flags I should look for?
 
I agree. If you are using an expansion list (ex. states), try testing a bunch of ads on similar KWs (or adgroups). You may find something really nice, really fast since you are testing so many ads at once. Once you gather data and see whats working, change the rest of the expansion list to use the best performing ads. This has worked really well for me.

So instead of split testing 2-3 ads on every adgroup in the expansion list, spread out 12 ads between your adgroups and make sure volume is distributed equally.
 
I can say this "Number Sell" always try and get numbers in your title.

Fast Payday Loans or $1500 Loan in 24 Hours

What's more effective in your mind?

Also I'd split test your offer as we're seeing large fluxuations in conversions in different diet offers for different traffic sources. I've said this 100 times but always split testyour offers and traffic as you never know what's going to work best.

I made a post yesterday with some simple split testing code.
Affiliate Network Blog » Blog Archive » Offer Split Testing Script

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks a lot smaxor - I agree with numbers, maybe I'll do some additional testing.

I need to develop my landing page more though, I think.
 
I have another example of split testing.

One of the LPs I designed was really positive and touchy feely, CTR to the aff page was around 15%.

Here's the interesting bit - I split tested with a design that was pretty shocking and actually pretty negative in relation to the offer.

CTR was consistently 50% + peaking at 67% CTR to the offer page.

Negativity works when it is carefully managed. Have a look at all the adwords that says "xxxx sucks" etc etc.

Thats fine for the ads and initial attention. Getting negativity just right on an LP is a lot harder to master and is only delivered through a combination of good design and clever copy.
 
@OP a little off topic, but if you have a free trial, make sure that you get the word FREE in a few of those.

Also, remember the #1 rule of copy. Clarity trumps persuasion.

What does "Guaranteed Million Pound Loss!" mean? i'll loose a million pounds? People combined will? something is off about that.

then again, you could just be giving made up examples, not actual copy your testing. In that case, ignore me.
 
@mediastar - First, sorry about not getting back to you about LPs. The money I could use to spend on an LP I would rather use to test (although it may be better to get a good design, I just am short on cash right now). Secondly, great tip. I realized that as well. I'll be sure to keep that in mind :)

@gordon - thanks for the tips. Yes those are all examples (although some of my ad copy doesn't look much better, LOL) - I have included FREE in almost each one and yes I just saw that seminar today "Clarity trumps persuasion"
 
hey no sweat man, I understand. Hit me up when you are ready. Hopefully you can use the information in your experiments already.
 
I'm workin' hard to develop something. I got lucky last year on Flat Belly when it was hot and was doing ~$200-400 profit/day for a few weeks, but aside from that I haven't hit anything :(

Time and trial/error is what it takes, and money, unfortunately (when you don't have it, it's unfortunate).

Thanks to all for the help though!

I actually planned on doing a complete case study and either posting it here as I do it or do a study for a month or so and post all results afterwards. I could see it being helpful to post as I do it to get help with landing page tips, ad copy, etc, but maybe I'll wait until I have a little cash to do that. I figured it would be great learning tool for me, and probably many others as well.

Ok, /rant off - back to work :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom