1. Home
  2. A/B Testing Tools
  3. Google Content Experiments (discontinued) Reviews
  4. User Review of Google Content Experiments (discontinued)
Not a bad tool, but not for the code-shy
May 13, 2014

Not a bad tool, but not for the code-shy

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Google Content Experiments

I used to train marketing and development folks on how to use Google Content Experiments. We used it primarily when we needed to tie success of the test to a non-destination URL type goal (e.g. event triggered). Given that these non-destination URL goals were already setup in GA, it was easier to configure content experiments to measure against these goals than other testing tools. Additionally, we could see how the testing groups performed against other goals on the site, including both destination URL goals, engagement goals, and event-based goals.
  • When you need to measure against event-based goals
  • If you need to see how the test variations performed against secondary goals
  • Given that the the platform requires you actually code a new page with a unique URL, this tool can be good for radical redesigns.
  • Great insights into other information about your testing groups, like whether or not they're mobile, screen size, browser, or really any dimension available in GA.
  • Not a great solution for people who don't have the ability to code a page from scratch, or need to implement a test without the help of IT. This tool requires implementation of a few different code snippets on different pages and the ability to code a new page. If you're looking for a WYSIWYG editor - try Optimizely.
  • More insights about our visitors
  • Optimizely,Visual Website Optimizer,UnBounce
GCE isn't better or worse than any of these, it's just different. When I have the time to build a new page, setup the testing scripts, and go - then I'll use GCE. If I'm doing multivariate I use VWO. If I'm testing a quick button or headline change, I use Optimizely or UnBounce.
Too much work is involved to get testing done efficiently. Also, our site has a large set of javascript calls already happening, and the different scripts behave weirdly on our site. Additionally, GA is not a primary source of data for us. We are typically testing to see offline impact - not online. We use our marketing automation tool to identify testing groups and see performance through our sales funnel.
Are you doing multivariate tests? If so - try Visual Website Optimizer. Are you looking for a GUI to let you change a CTA or button color? Try Optimizely. GCE is good for A/B testing primarily, not great for multivariate, but pretty cool for radical redesigns.