Breaking Out of the CRO Pigeonhole with Jonny Longden
Nov 15, 2023
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Jonny Longden, Director at Journey Further, discusses breaking out of the CRO pigeonhole and making experimentation more strategic. Topics include the evolution of CRO, creativity with data analytics, Experimentation Elite event, challenges in building experimentation programs, and experimentation-driven web development.
CRO should be viewed as web development, aligning experimentation with business goals and integrating it into the development process.
The CRO industry faces challenges due to a lack of understanding and effective experimentation, requiring better education and tooling for growth and credibility.
Deep dives
Importance of Viewing CRO as Web Development
CRO should not be seen as just another marketing channel, but rather as a form of web development. The focus should be on making better decisions about website improvements based on research and validation. By aligning CRO with business strategy and profitability goals, companies can ensure that experimentation is integrated into the web development process. This approach requires an innovation strategy, the right tools and technology, an operating system for project management, the right people and skills, integration of experimentation with production processes, and a culture of buy-in and enthusiasm for testing and learning.
Challenges in the CRO Industry
One of the significant challenges in the CRO industry is the presence of elitist attitudes and a lack of understanding about how to run effective experiments. Many companies are running AB tests without adequately grasping the principles behind valid experimentation. This poses a problem as businesses may be making decisions based on flawed data or poor testing practices. Finding ways to collectively address this issue, through better education or improved tooling, is important for the industry's growth and credibility.
The Potential of Experimentation in Small Businesses
Even small businesses can benefit from an experimentation-driven approach, even if they lack the resources to run extensive tests. Embracing the scientific attitude of observation, iteration, and learning can help small businesses make better decisions and avoid guesswork. While statistically significant AB testing may be challenging for smaller companies, the focus should be on adopting an attitude of experimentation and validation in web development. By integrating the principles of experimentation into their decision-making processes, small businesses can drive innovation and improve their online presence.
In this episode, we welcome Jonny Longden, Director at Journey Further, to discuss the concept of breaking out of the CRO pigeonhole and making experimentation more strategic. With over two decades in the field, Jonny shares insights on the evolution of CRO and experimentation, the importance of integrating creativity with data analytics, and how businesses can use experimentation for strategic decision-making. The episode also touches on the upcoming Experimentation Elite event and the challenges of embedding experimentation into web development.
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:08 The Evolution of CRO and Experimentation
06:27 Scientific Method in Business and Experimentation Elite Event
11:02 Challenges in Building Experimentation Programs
16:25 Experimentation in Small Businesses and Beyond Tools