A/B Split Testing and Optimization?

[mc12345678]

Then would it be possible to 'split' the template files (for example copy/paste 'index.php' and rename it 'index_variant1.php') and have both of them function normally? Because if that is possible, then you could simply set up Google Analytics Content Experiment to compare index.php and index_variant.php. GACE would take care of the rest, that way you wouldn't have to mess with the Zen Cart core files or database.

Possible? Yes.
Practical, a good idea, easy to implement, etc... NO

What does GACE need to "test" these two different templates? If it is some sort of uri difference, then the question would be if the uri contained a parameter such as template=1 would that work for them?

In essence that is what the plugin should offer/allow. Designation of the template to be used through a uri get parameter:
Your host dot com/index.php?template=1 as a generic example would be for the one page, where as = 2 for the other. Otherwise, would suggest some sort of htaccess rewrite to append the template parameter based on the input uri which would also rewrite to the zc site appropriate address. It's really a lot about what does GACE require and what are standard setup methods for ZC that could support the expectation. But renaming/cloning/duplicating the index.php file is definitely something requiring a lot of additional work and relatively breaks the overall processing/operation.

[McLovin]

Possible? Yes.
Practical, a good idea, easy to implement, etc... NO

What does GACE need to "test" these two different templates? If it is some sort of uri difference, then the question would be if the uri contained a parameter such as template=1 would that work for them?

In essence that is what the plugin should offer/allow. Designation of the template to be used through a uri get parameter:
Your host dot com/index.php?template=1 as a generic example would be for the one page, where as = 2 for the other. Otherwise, would suggest some sort of htaccess rewrite to append the template parameter based on the input uri which would also rewrite to the zc site appropriate address. It's really a lot about what does GACE require and what are standard setup methods for ZC that could support the expectation. But renaming/cloning/duplicating the index.php file is definitely something requiring a lot of additional work and relatively breaks the overall processing/operation.

I've added an example screenshot of how Google Analytics performs a content experiment. Basically you need 2 (or more) landing pages. One original page and one variant of the original page. GACE will then send half (or whatever percentage you've set) of your visitors to one page (the original) and the rest to the other page (the variant). Depending on your goals (for example minimizing bounce rate) GACE will then analyze which page performed the best (had the lowest bounce rate in this case) and - if you want - compare it to another variant to see which of those is the most successful page.

This is very easy when it comes to static HTML pages, but I'm starting to think that it might not be that easy with ZenCart. Which is really a shame, because you don't really need a fully functioning template, you only need two or more variants of a landing page that you can compare.

[mc12345678]

So looking at the image that was provided, there is a statement that url parameters are supported. As a result, any number of methods to create a landing page could be used: ez-page, defined page, multiple template style home page, category x vs category y, etc....
Whatever uri would be needed to get the guest to the desired location is what GACE is looking for. So again kind of depends on what it is you want to test as to "test" uunderstanding that changing many things at once may not identify a particular aspect that is "better" but a true this or that. A properly formatted test of multiple differences would be able to be compared over a large enough population to identify particular attributes of the differences.

[McLovin]

So looking at the image that was provided, there is a statement that url parameters are supported. As a result, any number of methods to create a landing page could be used: ez-page, defined page, multiple template style home page, category x vs category y, etc....
Whatever uri would be needed to get the guest to the desired location is what GACE is looking for. So again kind of depends on what it is you want to test as to "test" uunderstanding that changing many things at once may not identify a particular aspect that is "better" but a true this or that. A properly formatted test of multiple differences would be able to be compared over a large enough population to identify particular attributes of the differences.

Thank you for your answers. So could I copy the original template files, rename them to their variant and use htaccess to get the guests to the right landing page?

[stevesh]

Since the Google thing requires separate URLs, it looks like you could clone your Zencart site in a subdirectory of your main site (with a separate database copied from the original) and point Google to the main page of that site as the second page.

[mc12345678]

Thank you for your answers. So could I copy the original template files, rename them to their variant and use htaccess to get the guests to the right landing page?

In a way yes... The easiest way to implement having the "same" template but with minor differencesin the way the information is layed out would be to copy all of the template override directories to a new directory name and to also modify the template_info.php file in includes/templates/YOUR_COPIED_TEMPLATE directory to provide a "description/name' that would make sense to you on the admin side.

The next thing though would be the directing of the guest(s) to the template of choice.

I'm not entirely sure how GACE works whether it is a passive observing "utility" or if it actually kicks in and provides some sort of direction. If it is passive, then code changes are necessary to modify the what template is presented to a guest. If it is active, then pretty much depends but more than likely also would need similar changes. Seems like the plugin suggested above may be the best way to implement such an option of choosing the template/enabling the "next" template, but would require some tweaking as that plugin supposedly (and I haven't used it) allows the guest to pick their preferred template and it stays with their profile for the next time they login.

Or as steve suggested is another route. :)

[McLovin]

Thanks a lot guys! I'm going to give it a try and I'll let you know how things went!