MageSplit

Overview

MageSplit is an extremely simple tool for running split tests in Magento.
The reason that I put it together was that I was just beginning to run some very simple tests, and wasn't really interested in paying for a service.

Also, the types of tests that I was doing didn't really require a nice visual editor, which is usually one of the main features of the A/B testing services that are out there.

Installation

Install Clean_Util - a utilities module that's used to handle a few utilities for the module.

modman clone cleanutil git@github.com:kalenjordan/cleanutil.git

Include jquery.cookie

Install using modman:

modman clone magesplit git@github.com:kalenjordan/magesplit.git

Then, to create a test, just pop into one of your phtml files, and:

<script type="text/javascript">
    if (typeof(MageSplit) != 'undefined') {
        new MageSplit().run('red_addtocart_button', function() {
            jQuery('button#addtocart').css('color', 'red');
        });
     }
</script>

How does it work?

All that it does is generates a random number per each visitor, storing it on a cookie. If it's greater than 0.5, then it enables the experiment.

When the experiment is enabled, the code that you've defined will be run, and also a custom event will be sent up to Google Analytics, with a category name of MageSplit, and an event name of "$experimentName: Enabled" or "$experimentName: Disabled".

So, you get the idea - crazy simple and probably not very useful if you're doing anything fancy. But if you're just getting started, may save you a minute or two fussing around with javascript cookies.

ProTips

1. Use your debug console

Use your Console to see whether or not the test is enabled.

2. URL Override

If you want to force the test to be enabled or disabled, say because you're tired of randomly opening and closing Incognito windows over and over, you can just go to:

http://www.yourswankymagentoinstall.com/path/?magesplit_red_addtocart_button=1

http://www.yourswankymagentoinstall.com/path/?magesplit_red_addtocart_button=0