How Does Split Testing Work in Paid Social Advertising?

Paid social advertising has become an essential component for businesses looking to reach their target audience effectively. However, it’s not enough to simply run ads and hope for the best. To maximise the return on investment (ROI) for your social ad campaigns, it’s crucial to employ strategies like split testing. In this blog, we’ll explore how split testing works in the realm of paid social advertising and how it can significantly improve the performance of your campaigns.

At Embryo, we understand the significance of staying ahead in the digital marketing game, which is why we wholeheartedly embrace the power of split testing along with other marketing strategies. If you want to propel your business to the next level, contact our award-winning social team or get in touch by phone at 0161 327 2635 or email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help. 

What is a Split Test?

Split testing, also known as A/B testing, is a systematic method used in digital marketing to compare two or more versions of a specific element within a campaign. The goal is to determine which version performs better. Paid social advertising, these elements can include ad copy, images, headlines, calls to action, audience targeting, and even the landing pages to which the ads direct traffic towards.

How to Set up a Split Test

Setting up a split test requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a guide to help you get started:

Identify Variables:

Before beginning a split test, it’s essential to identify the variables you want to test. These variables could be anything within your ad campaign that might influence its performance. Common variables include ad copy, images or videos, headlines, audience segmentation, ad placement, objective, and ad scheduling.

Creating Variations: Once you’ve determined the variables to test, you’ll need to create multiple variations for each of them. For example, if you’re testing ad copy, you might prepare two or more different headlines and descriptions. These campaigns will be run along side each other at the same time. 

Traffic Allocation: In a split test, the incoming traffic is randomly divided among the different variations. For example, if you’re testing ad copy, half of your audience might see “Version A,” while the other half sees “Version B.” Random allocation ensures that the results are unbiased.

Selecting Test Elements: The effectiveness of your split test relies heavily on the elements you choose to test. Here are some common elements to consider:

1. Ad Copy: Test different headlines, descriptions, and messaging.
2. Images or Videos: Experiment with various visuals to find what resonates with your audience.
3. Audience Segmentation: Try different demographic, geographic, or interest-based targeting options.
4. Ad Placement: Test which placements perform better, such as Facebook news feed, Instagram stories, or other options.
5. Ad Scheduling: Evaluate the best times and days for your campaigns.

Statistical Significance

One of the critical aspects of split testing is determining statistical significance (indicates how likely it is that a marketing campaign was directly responsible for its recipients’ behaviour). It’s essential to ensure that your results are not coincidences/luck. Here’s how you can establish it:

Sample Size: The larger the sample size, the more accurate your results will be. Ensure that your test runs long enough to gather a sufficient amount of data.

Confidence Level: Set a predetermined level of confidence (often 95% or 99%) to determine the statistical significance of your results.

Statistical Tools: Use statistical tools and calculators to analyse your data and identify the winning variation. These tools help you determine if the observed differences in performance are statistically significant.

Implementing Changes

Once you’ve collected enough data and determined the winning variation, it’s time to implement the changes:

Apply the Winner: Use the most effective ad copy, image, or targeting strategy across all your future social advertising efforts.

Monitor Results: Continue to monitor the performance of your ads. Remember, audience preferences can change, so be ready to adapt as needed.

Best Practices and Tips

To make the most of split testing in your paid social advertising campaigns, consider these best practices:

1. Clearly Define Your Goals: Before starting a split test, establish clear objectives. Are you aiming to increase website traffic, generate leads, or boost sales? Knowing your goals will help you choose the right variables to test.
2. Run Tests One at a Time: To avoid confusion and maintain data accuracy, it’s best to test one variable at a time. When testing ad copy, keep all other elements consistent.
3. Allow Sufficient Time: Ensure you run your split tests for a reasonable duration to collect statistically significant data. A few days might not be enough; you may need weeks or even months, depending on your audience size.
4. Use Reliable Split Testing Tools: Various tools and platforms can help you set up and manage split tests in your paid social advertising campaigns.
5. Segment Your Audience: To make your split testing even more effective, segment your audience based on factors like location, age, interests, or previous interactions with your brand. This allows for more targeted testing.

In the fast-paced world of paid social, split testing is an invaluable strategy that can help you refine your campaigns, reduce ad spend wastage, and ultimately drive better results. By systematically testing and optimising various elements of your ads, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your ROI. Remember, success in paid social advertising is not just about how much you spend but also about how efficiently you spend it. Split testing is the key to achieving that efficiency. So, don’t leave your ad campaigns to chance; start split testing today, and watch your results soar.

If you’d like to learn how Embryo can take your Paid Social campaigns to the next level, please get in touch with our award-winning paid social team or email us today at [email protected].