Small Business Jargon Decoder

What is A/B Testing?

Small Business Jargon Decoder

The Technical Definition

A/B testing (or split testing) is a method of comparing two versions of a webpage, ad, or email to see which performs better. It involves changing one element (like a headline or button color) and measuring which version gets more conversions.

In English, Please

A/B testing is like trying two different recipes and seeing which one tastes better. You test one change at a time—like a new headline, image, or button color—to see what gets the best results.

Do Small Businesses Really Need A/B Testing?

If you rely on a website, ads, or emails to bring in customers, A/B testing can help improve results without extra spending. Even small tweaks—like changing a “Buy Now” button to “Get Yours Today”—can boost conversions.

Common Misconceptions

  • Testing too many things at once. Changing multiple elements makes it hard to know what worked.
  • Stopping too soon. Let tests run long enough to get reliable results.
  • Ignoring small changes. Even tiny adjustments can make a big difference in engagement and sales.