Using A/B Tests In Workflows

A/B testing helps validate hypotheses and understand the preferences and behavior of the target audience

Built-in functionality allows testing:

Using workflows, you can test the effectiveness of various elements of triggered messages, such as text, calls to action, images, or sending via different channels.

Use the Split block from the Conditions blocks for split testing.

Workflow builder with a Split block panel showing two parts each set to 50%

Let's consider an experiment using the example of an abandoned cart:

  • The first message contains a discount on items abandoned in the cart:
Abandoned cart email offering a 10% discount with the Samsung Galaxy S21 product and a Buy button
  • The second message contains a timer with a countdown until the end of the discount.
Abandoned cart email with a countdown timer showing 01:08:22:25 above the discounted product

The goal of this test is to check whether a timer counting down the time until the end of the promotion influences the purchase decision.

Creating a Workflow for Testing

  1. Go to Triggers → Workflows, and click the New workflow button.
Workflows page with the Automation menu and the New workflow button highlighted
  1. Enter its name and tags (optionally).
Workflow builder named Abandoned Cart tagged A/B test with the Start block configuration panel open
  1. By default, the Start block already starts the workflow. Then add blocks:
  • Split, where contacts are automatically distributed between workflow branches 50/50. To change the ratio, drag the slider in the block settings to the left or right.
Workflow builder with a Split block panel showing 1 part and 2 part fields both set to 50%
  • Email for A and B branches; select the message in the block parameters.
Workflow builder with a Split block branching 50/50 into an Abandoned cart discounts email and an Abandoned cart discounts + Timer email
  • End.

The workflow will look like this:

Workflow diagram with a Split block branching into A and B email variants at 50% each, both leading to End
  1. Click Save and exit

After launching the workflow, the system will randomly distribute contacts between two branches in a 50-50 ratio. Each contact will receive only one message, according to the branch they fall into.

Setting Up Workflow Launch and Checking Results

  1. Go to Triggers → Workflows and click Start/Stop configuration in the field of the created workflow.
Workflows list with the Start/Stop configuration link highlighted for the Abandoned Cart workflow
  1. Enable the Start Configuration slide button, select Regular, and a dynamic segment for the campaign.
Start/Stop configuration dialog with Regular option, the Abandoned Cart segment, and Once a day start schedule selected
  1. Configure launch conditions and click Apply.
  2. Activate the workflow.
Workflows list with the Activate icon highlighted for the Abandoned Cart workflow

Later, you will be able to check and compare the test results.

To do this:

  1. Click three dots in the field of the created workflow and select View campaign report.
Workflows list dropdown menu with View campaign report highlighted for the Abandoned Cart workflow
  1. Choose a period and compare the indicators for each message.
Campaign report comparing Opened, Clicked, and Click-to-open rate for the Abandoned cart discounts and Abandoned cart discounts + Timer email variants


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