Interactions and the Power of Context

Tim Ash

Interactions and the Power of ContextWhat are variable interactions? Simply put, it is when the setting for one variable in your test positively or negatively influences the setting of another variable.

Lets look at a simple example: We are selling cars and want to test two different headlines and two different pictures. So we have a total of four possible combinations of our two variables.

Ferarris are Really Fast

Ferraris are Really Fast

 

BlogferarrismallLanding Page 1
Headline “A”, Picture “A”

Blogcrashedvolvosmall

Landing Page 2
Headline “A”, Picture “B”

Volvos are Very Safe

Volvos are Very Safe

 

BlogferarrismallLanding Page 3
Headline “B”, Picture “A”

BlogcrashedvolvosmallLanding Page 4
Headline “B”, Picture “B”

If you believe that there are no interactions, then you must also believe that there is a “best” headline regardless of the accompanying picture, and that there is a “best” picture regardless of the headline used.

Clearly this is not the case. Each variable depends on the context in which it is seen. #1 has a very strong positive interaction (connecting the speed and power in the picture with the word “Fast” in the headline). #2 has a strongly negative interaction (making you think about the consequences of fast driving – “speed kills”). #3 has a mildly positive interaction (supporting the notion that you can go fast and still be safe). #4 has a positive interaction (playing on the fear of accidents and highlighting Volvo’s safety record).

In online marketing we want interactions.

Most creative directors and marketers want the picture to reinforce the headline, and the sales copy, and the offer, and the call to action. But many landing page testing techniques assume that there are absolutely no interactions between variables — that they are completely independent of each other. In fact, multivariate tests are carefully constructed to be as small as possible by ignoring all interactions. Obviously for online marketing this is an absurd assumption. So while you may be able to get some positive results by ignoring interactions, you will not be getting the best results.

The goal of landing page tuning is not to find the best individual variable settings, but rather to find the best combination of variable settings.

“A player who makes a team great is much more valuable than a great player.”

– UCLA Coach John Wooden

Take your conversions to the next level.

Learn how our experts at SiteTuners can help kickstart your conversion rate optimization process or get better results from your CRO efforts. Give us 30 minutes, and we’ll show you a roadmap to your digital growth!

Schedule A Call Now!

0/5 (0 Reviews)

Speak with a Conversion Expert

Give us 30 minutes and we’ll show you how we can help you achieve better results

About The Author

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top