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April 17, 2008

Google Unshackles Website Optimizer

Google decided its Web site optimization tool will stand apart from its AdWords platform.

Previously, someone using Google Website Optimizer had to sign up for an AdWords account, although advertising on AdWords wasn't required.

The change, announced yesterday, appears to be intended to give the free tool its own identity and encourage Web designers and others to use it -- not just interactive advertisers or marketers.

Like before, the tool enables people to test two or more combinations of designs and content, including headlines and images, on a Web page. Through testing, marketing professionals and others should be able to identify what approach will better help them meet goals such as keeping visitors on a site longer or engage in transactions.

"You don't have to flip a coin" to figure out what Web site design and content is most effective, said Tom Leung, a Google business product manager. (Check out ClickZ columnist Bryan Eisenberg's interview last year with Leung about Google Analytics.)

In another announcement, Google's making its analytics tool available as a for-fee product when downloaded and installed on a company's server. Called Urchin, the tool was the basis of Google Analytics, an application that remains available for free on a hosted basis.

Posted by Anna Maria Virzi at April 17, 2008 1:13 AM

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