How to Create an A/B Split Test Campaign in MailChimp

Log in to your MailChimp Account

Enter Your Username and Password and Login

The Dashboard will open

Click the drop down menu on the right of “Create Campaign” button

A Campaign menu will appear

Click the A/B testing campaign option

This is the heading of the page that will open

Mailing List #1 (357 recipients)

Special Event #1 (82 recipients)

Special Event #2 (206 recipients)

This part will vary depending on your lists

Mailing List #1 (357 recipients)

Special Event #1 (82 recipients)

Special Event #2 (206 recipients)

In this tutorial, the Special Event #2 list is chosen as Recipient

Mailing List #1 (357 recipients)

Special Event #1 (82 recipients)

Special Event #2 (206 recipients)

Four options will open, choose your preference

Special Event #2 (206 recipients)

In this tutorial, “Send to entire list” option is chosen

Special Event #2 (206 recipients)

Click the next step, the Variables found at the bottom of the page

Special Event #2 (206 recipients)

A page with test options will open

One of four Variables can be tested

In this tutorial, the variable being tested is “Subject line”

Click the plus sign for the variable being tested

Click the plus or minus icons to add or remove additional variations of the variable. 

A variable can be tested with up to three variations 

Let us test three variations 

Click the plus sign under the variable to test additional variation

 

The number of variations has changed to three

 

The number of variations equals the number of combinations

To get the most reliable data from the test, it is highly recommended to send combinations to at least 5,000 subscribers

If the list or segment does not allow for 5,000 subscribers in each combination, test the entire list (100%)

Drag the slider to the right most to set to 100%

The data under summary will change

If percentage is not set to 100%, choose how the winning combination be determined

Click the drop down arrow to the right of “By open rate”

Another set of options will open

In this tutorial, “By open rate” is chosen

Choose the number of hours the test will run

It is recommended to wait at least 4 hours after sending an A/B Testing Campaign to send a winning campaign.

Go to the next step, Click Setup

A page with Campaign options open

Name your test campaign

Scroll down by dragging down the slider

Since we are testing the variable, “Subject line” in three variations

Fill in the three boxes

Scroll down further

Fill in Email address and From name boxes

Go to the next step, Click Content

Select a template

Choose a layout on the Template page

Click Select

The Design page will open

If done with the design, click “Confirm Before Sending” button

A comfirmation page will open

Review the Checklist. Click “Resolve” or “Edit” buttons to make changes to

any section of the campaign.

Click the “Send” button to test campaign right away

or the “Schedule” button to go out later

Now it’s your turn to test your campaign using the A/B method and have a great start in Email Marketing with MailChimp!