eCommerce Made Easy - Growing your Online Business - Don't Go Live Without It: The Essential Guide to Effective Website Testing for Business Owners

Don't Go Live Without It: The Essential Guide to Effective Website Testing for Business Owners

06/20/23 • 16 min

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eCommerce Made Easy - Growing your Online Business

Ever experienced the panic of discovering major website issues after going live? We've been there too! Join us in this episode as we share a cautionary tale of a client who skipped the crucial step of website testing, resulting in last-minute changes and costly mistakes. We'll reveal the importance of thoroughly testing your site to ensure it accurately reflects your brand and meets your goals.
As the business owner, you have a unique perspective on your website, and you know your customers best. That's why it's vital to take an active role in testing, even if you have a developer on board. We'll guide you through the essential areas to consider, from defining your main website goals to using clear language. Plus, we're providing a handy website testing checklist in our show notes to help you audit your site effectively. Say goodbye to embarrassing errors and hello to a polished, professional online presence.
Mentioned Resources:

Website Testing - How to Test your Website Guide

This week’s episode is sponsored by our Search Engine Optimization Mini Course. Our Free online digital course that teaches eCommerce and website owners how to level up their search engine rankings with some simple, doable steps! Join us at www.ecommercemadeeasypodcast.com/seominicourse/

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Website Testing - How to Test your Website Guide

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Previous Episode

Email Marketing: The Key to Unlocking Customer Loyalty and Revenue

Send Carrie a Text Message!

Ready to unlock the full potential of email marketing and skyrocket your business growth? Join us as we discuss powerful insights and strategies to help you make the most of this highly effective marketing tool. With an average open rate of 20% and high conversion rates, email marketing is the ultimate cost-effective way to build relationships with your customers and generate revenue. Our in-depth conversation covers the essential components of successful campaigns, including direct and personal communication, automation, relationship building, customer loyalty, and how to integrate email marketing with your other marketing efforts.
Starting your email marketing journey might seem daunting, but worry not - we're here to help you choose the right email service provider for guaranteed success. We compare popular providers like Aweber and ConvertKit, delving into their features, pricing, and pros and cons. Moreover, we explore how to segment your email list for better targeting, the importance of list hygiene, and how to seamlessly integrate email marketing with your overall marketing strategy. Don't miss this value-packed episode, where we help you maximize your email marketing success and elevate your eCommerce game!
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Email Service Providers

AWeber – This is the tool we use for our newsletters. We love it because it is a bit more advanced and techy. However, once you do get to know it, it is fairly intuitive. I do love how the free version allows for more advanced things like automation and you can have up to 500 subscribers in the free version. So you can really get the full feel of it before paying for it! Also we have found their support to be excellent, on target and always ready to help!
ConvertKit – If you want a bit more ‘drag and drop’ like interface then you may like this one better. Its interface is a bit more intuitive but it doesn’t allow you any automations on their free version and you can only have up to 300 subscribers on their free plan.
List Builder's Society* - Amy Porterfield is well renowned for her list building skills and teaches in a very conscience and efficient way. I felt LBS gave us the edge to put into action some of what we already knew, and some new ideas when it comes to creating and using your email list. We highly recommend this program whether you are new to email marketing or a veteran wanting to up your game!

*This link contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and many times an extended free trial.

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Unlocking Ecommerce Success: Harness the Power of Blogging

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Don't miss our valuable tips on writing captivating and effective blog posts that address common questions, pain points, and industry trends. Learn how to create compelling content that keeps your audience engaged and hungry for more, all while boosting your credibility and authority in your niche. Tune in now and unlock the secret to ecommerce success through the untapped potential of blogging.
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Getting Started with Blogging - How to Write Effective Blog Content

Introduction to AI - How to use AI in your eCommerce Business

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eCommerce Made Easy - Growing your Online Business - Don't Go Live Without It: The Essential Guide to Effective Website Testing for Business Owners

Transcript

Carrie00:00:26.382

We are in the midst of many good lives for new and refreshed websites . I can always tell when from a customer's interaction how much they've tested their website we have built for them , or their refreshed website that we have worked on . When you have a website developer working on a new website for you , or even just simply creating some new features for you , you need to make

Don't Go Live Without It: The Essential Guide to Effective Website Testing for Business Owners Top Questions Answered

Why is testing your website important?

Testing your website is important because it reflects your brand and can have financial implications and missed opportunities if not done properly.

Should the website developer be solely responsible for testing?

While the website developer should test the website, the site owner's input is valuable as they understand their customers and can ensure that the website meets their expectations.

What should be the main focus of website testing?

The main focus of website testing should be on core features such as newsletter sign-ups, quote requests, product purchases, and reviews.

How should website features be tested?

Website features should be tested from a user's perspective, ensuring they are easily accessible and stand out. Users should make notes of what they like and don't like for adjustments by the developer.

How can website language be optimized for clarity?

Website language should use clear language rather than clever language to minimize the need for visitors to interpret. Clear calls-to-action like "Request a quote" are preferable to ambiguous ones like "Learn more."

How should website forms be tested?

Website input forms, checkout forms, and request a quote forms should be tested to see how they handle unexpected inputs such as incorrect formatting or wrong patterns. Clear error handling and language for incorrect inputs are important.

Why is testing website responsiveness important?

Testing website responsiveness ensures that it functions correctly on various devices with different screen sizes and resolutions.

How can valuable feedback be obtained for a website?

Friends, family, and best customers can be asked to review new features or a revamped website to gain valuable feedback.

How much time should be allocated for testing a website?

Around 10% of the development time should be allocated for testing a website, with a minimum of one hour for smaller projects and up to 10 hours or more for larger projects.

What is the recommended approach for testing website goals and features?

It is recommended to select the top 10 website goals or features and thoroughly test them for functionality. If time is limited, at least three to four of the top 10 should be tested.