A/B Testing Strategies for Shopify Sections

You’ve built a great-looking Shopify store - but how do you know what’s actually working? The secret to unlocking higher conversions isn’t guessing… it’s A/B testing.

By testing different layouts, headlines, or section types, you can discover what truly makes visitors click “Add to Cart.” The best part? You don’t need to be a developer to do it.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to run simple A/B tests on your Shopify sections, interpret the results, and improve your store’s performance - using tools you already have.

1. Why A/B Testing Matters for Shopify Stores

Small design choices make a big difference. A new hero headline, different testimonial layout, or updated CTA button colour can shift your conversion rate significantly.

Testing gives you data-backed clarity - instead of assumptions. It tells you what your audience actually responds to, not what you think looks good.

• Reduce bounce rates: Identify which sections make shoppers stay longer.
• Boost conversions: Find your most persuasive messages and visuals.
• Lower ad costs: When your store converts better, your paid traffic performs better too.

Pro tip: You can easily duplicate or swap sections for A/B tests using Section Store - no coding or developer time required.

2. What to Test First

You don’t have to test everything at once. Start with high-impact areas that directly influence user decisions.

Test These First:

• Hero sections: Try two headlines - one benefit-led (“Better Sleep Starts Tonight”) and one descriptive (“Shop Our Sleep Kits”).
• Testimonials: Compare layouts with star ratings vs. customer photos.
• Product showcase: Test the order of products or the number displayed per row.
• CTAs: Test different button texts like “Shop Now” vs. “Discover Yours.”

Even minor tweaks can lead to measurable gains. For example, changing a headline to focus on the customer’s benefit rather than your product can increase conversions by 15–25%.

Section Store has over 40 customisable Hero sections that work with all themes, allowing you to test different variations in minutes.

3. How to Run A/B Tests in Shopify

There are two main approaches to testing your sections, depending on your tools and traffic levels.

Option 1: Manual Split Testing

Duplicate your Shopify theme (in Online Store → Themes → Actions → Duplicate) and adjust one variable - like the hero section or CTA copy. Then split your traffic by running one version for a week, and the other for the next week. Track performance using Shopify Analytics or Google Analytics.

Option 2: Quick Iterations with Section Store

If you want faster insights, try swapping out a single section (like testimonials or product highlights) using Section Store. This lets you test one element at a time without publishing a new theme version.

For example: Add two versions of a “Testimonial Section” and switch between them weekly. Track clicks on “Add to Cart” or conversions from each variation.

Section Store has 50 different testimonial sections, making it easy to pick your favourites and test instantly.

4. Measuring Success

Not every test needs complex analytics - but you do need consistent metrics. Focus on:

• Click-through rate (CTR): Are visitors clicking CTAs more on version A or B?
• Conversion rate: Which layout leads to more purchases?
• Engagement: How far do users scroll? Do they interact with testimonials or galleries?

Run each test for at least 7–14 days or until you have enough reliable data. Avoid ending tests early - short-term spikes can be misleading.

5. Using A/B Testing to Guide Long-Term Design

The biggest advantage of A/B testing is cumulative learning. Every test gives you a clearer picture of your audience’s preferences and behaviour.

Keep a simple spreadsheet of what you’ve tested, what won, and what you’ll try next. Over time, your site becomes a data-informed conversion machine - not a collection of guesses.

Pro tip: Treat every section in your Shopify store as a modular experiment. You can plug in new versions anytime using Section Store to test copy, design, or layout ideas in minutes.

Conclusion

A/B testing turns uncertainty into confidence. By systematically testing sections - from hero banners to CTAs - you’ll uncover what resonates most with your audience and drive steady conversion growth.

If you’re ready to start testing without touching code, explore ready-made sections from Section Store and start your first experiment today.

Section Store helps you design your Shopify store faster - with beautiful, pre-built sections that convert.