A/B testing employs ‘Darwinism’ when it comes to determining which design is the fittest, making it very popular for obvious reasons. Yet one is in danger of forgetting about how aesthetic trends can change and end up tweaking these designs even when they are not accepted by users anymore.
With that said, here are 3 pitfalls of A/B Testing that you should avoid:
#1: First Impressions Matter
One of the limitations of A/B testing is that you have launch your site first while also obtaining a large number of site visits too. It cannot help you with building a lasting first impression that is helped along by technical optimization and reducing page weight. Remember: all it takes is a few seconds for a user to decide whether they have to move on to another site, especially if it takes too long to load.
#2: Curbs Inspiration
Let’s face it: users aren’t the best people to ask for feedback. With A/B testing, the results cause you to follow your audience rather than lead them. It stops people from looking for that next big idea or even taking a risk while originality takes a beating with this approach as well. So, instead of focusing on A/B testing, it’s a good idea to indulge in that spark of inspiration.
#3: Takes The Focus Off Trusting Your Judgment
Every good design is based on one’s confidence in making a judgment call on their personal design sensibility. A/B testing, while having its uses, only works to your benefit if you are reviewing elements and not an entire layout. And while A/B testing does have its place in improving your site, it doesn’t need to be used all the time either.