Do you test before launching a new product?

by ShayB
11 replies
I am reading the 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris and he suggests testing a new potential product using PPC.

Does anyone do this?

How is it working for you?

How much do you budget for it?

Are the test results similar to IRL results?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
#launching #product
  • Profile picture of the author Lindsay Brynn
    I sometimes do this. I've taken $30 or so of ppc money and have tested for a few days. I just lets me know if there was at least some kind of conversion. I'm sure there are people that do this in a better way because I am no PPC expert or anything.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Do you find the results are similar to what happens with the actual product? Same conversion rate, etc.?
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      • Profile picture of the author tomw
        Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

        Do you find the results are similar to what happens with the actual product? Same conversion rate, etc.?
        The wonderful thing about testing your marketing tactics is that the results a generally scalable.

        So, for example, if you test against 1000 prospects and get a conversion rate of say 10%, leading to 100 customers, you can generally expect similar conversion rates as you scale up the same process.

        This is regardless of the type of marketing tactic initially tested.

        This is also one of the fundamental beauties of working with such a highly responsive (in terms of timeframe) and highly measurable and quantifiable channel as the internet.

        Thomas
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        • Profile picture of the author David Wilkinson
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          • Profile picture of the author tomw
            Originally Posted by David Wilkinson View Post

            I agree - but if the test sample size is to small you get BS results, which is why I liek to test several thousand minimum.
            You're right. My example (hence the use of the term) was just an example of a process, not a recommendation on numbers.



            Thomas
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  • Profile picture of the author David Wilkinson
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by David Wilkinson View Post

      Conversion rates - when I hit the broader terms (like "teeth whitening" they tend to be lower, polluted by information seekers, researchers, etc...)

      Targeting action phrases though "buy PRODUCTNAME whitener" are a heck of a lot higher than the actual conversions. I just throw up a mean number, and it's usually not that far of actual %s, often-times a tad lower.

      People call PPC traffic "cold", but that's just not true, if you're specific with your bids.
      Thank you, David.
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  • Profile picture of the author David_Thompson
    Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

    I am reading the 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris and he suggests testing a new potential product using PPC.

    Does anyone do this?

    How is it working for you?

    How much do you budget for it?

    Are the test results similar to IRL results?

    Thanks in advance for any advice.
    There are many different ways to do split testing besides
    using PPC...

    If you already have a list or a team of JV partners
    then you can do split testing that way...if money
    is an issue...

    --David
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by David_Thompson View Post

      There are many different ways to do split testing besides
      using PPC...

      If you already have a list or a team of JV partners
      then you can do split testing that way...if money
      is an issue...

      --David
      Hmmmmmm.....I do have a list. Do I send a different offer to each half? (Same offer/different wording)
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      • Profile picture of the author David Wilkinson
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        • Profile picture of the author David_Thompson
          Originally Posted by David Wilkinson View Post

          You could - or use a script like Split Test Accelerator to just evenly spread the page around. That way, same link for everyone, but 50% of people see one thing, with the other 50% seeing the control.

          That or you could try using the AdWords split-tester, which supports multi-variate testing, which frankly, is absolutely awesome.
          David when i say test I mean, testing headlines in 2 or 3 different colors,
          test it with the product owners picture on and off the page, long and short
          copy, with and without video or audio.

          Things like that...

          --David
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          • Profile picture of the author faranak
            you can also test a product by writting a few articles on it and submitting them to e zine articles .this way it will not cost you anything
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            • Profile picture of the author ShayB
              Originally Posted by faranak View Post

              you can also test a product by writting a few articles on it and submitting them to e zine articles .this way it will not cost you anything
              How would you test it this way?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
    Believe it or not, running (dare I say the word) WSO is a good way of testing whether a product is going to be any good or not. I find its a good way of testing price etc and whether everything is working ok.

    Kim
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