What is conversion rate optimization?

Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is the systematic process of experimenting with different elements on a website or app to improve the conversion rate, or percentage of visitors who take a desired action. A conversion can be anything from making a purchase to signing up for a newsletter or downloading a file.

How does conversion rate optimization work?

CRO involves analyzing user behavior and then implementing changes to your website or app to improve the user experience and nudge consumers toward conversion. These changes can be based on data, user testing, or best practices. Once implemented, CRO uses testing methods like A/B testing to compare different versions and see which one leads to a higher conversion rate.

Types of conversion rate optimization:

• A/B Testing: This method compares two variations of a webpage (e.g., headline, layout) to see which one performs better.
• Multivariate Testing: This method tests multiple elements (e.g., headline, image, button color) simultaneously to identify the most effective combination.
• Heatmaps & Session Recordings: This method visualizes user behavior to understand how visitors interact with your website and identify areas for improvement.

How to measure conversion rate optimization: 

The primary metric is the conversion rate itself, which is the percentage of visitors who complete the desired action. Secondary metrics like click-through rates, time spent on page, and bounce rates can offer additional insights into user behavior.

Why is conversion rate optimization important to marketers?

CRO helps marketers maximize the value of their existing website traffic. By increasing conversion rates, they can acquire more customers, generate more leads, and ultimately boost revenue without necessarily driving more traffic to their site.

Who needs to know what conversion rate optimization is:

• Ecommerce Managers: Understanding CRO helps them boost sales and revenue, reduce acquisition costs, and improve the customer experience.
• Digital Marketers: Anyone involved in digital marketing should understand CRO to improve campaign performance and maximize return on investment.
• Web Designers: They can use CRO insights to create user-friendly and conversion-focused website layouts.
• Product Managers: Understanding CRO allows them to optimize product features and functionalities to improve user engagement and conversions.

Use conversion rate optimization in a sentence:

“To increase signups for our newsletter, we’re implementing a CRO strategy that involves A/B testing different call-to-action button placements and messaging on our website.”