conversion-rate-optimization

Conversion Rate Optimization

Comprehensive CRO framework covering the entire conversion journey — from landing pages through activation and upgrades.

Quick Reference: When to Use What

Situation	Use This Skill For
General page optimization	Page CRO framework
Signup/registration flow	Signup Flow Optimization
Lead capture, contact, or checkout forms	Form Optimization
Post-signup user activation	Onboarding & Activation
In-app upgrade/paywall screens	Paywall & Upgrade Optimization
Popups, modals, overlays	Popup & Modal Strategy
UI/UX improvements	CRO Audit Process
Systematic testing methodology	CRE Methodology

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Part 1: CRE Methodology Foundation

Core Philosophy

Don't guess — discover. Evidence-based optimization over "best practices." Extraordinary improvements come from understanding WHY visitors don't convert.

The 9-Step CRE Process

1. Define Success Metrics — Align with business KPIs
2. Map the Conversion Funnel — Identify blocked arteries and missing links
3. Understand Visitors — Research objections, UX problems, visitor types
4. Gather Market Intelligence — Analyze competitors, transfer winning strategies
5. Find Hidden Persuasion Assets — Uncover testimonials, awards, statistics not displayed
6. Create Experimental Strategy — ICE framework prioritization
7. Design Challengers — Bold changes based on research insights
8. Run Experiments — Statistical significance, proper sample sizes
9. Scale Wins — Apply insights across channels

Key Frameworks

• O/CO Table: Objection/Counter-Objection mapping
• ICE Prioritization: Impact × Confidence × Ease
• Bold vs. Meek: Test big changes, not button colors

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Part 2: Page CRO Framework

Analysis Dimensions (Priority Order)

1. Value Proposition Clarity — Can visitors understand value in 5 seconds?
2. Headline Effectiveness — Core message, specificity, traffic source match
3. CTA Placement, Copy, Hierarchy — One clear action, value-oriented button text
4. Visual Hierarchy and Scannability — Scanning-friendly layout
5. Trust Signals and Social Proof — Near CTAs and after benefit claims
6. Objection Handling — FAQ, guarantees, comparison content
7. Friction Points — Forms, navigation, mobile, load times

Page-Specific Frameworks

Page Type	Key Focus
Homepage	Clear positioning, quick path to conversion
Landing Page	Message match, single CTA, complete argument
Pricing	Clear comparison, recommended plan indication
Feature	Benefit-focused, use cases, clear path to try/buy

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Part 3: Signup Flow Optimization

Core Principles

1. Minimize Required Fields — Every field reduces conversion
2. Show Value Before Commitment — Reverse the order: value first, signup second
3. Reduce Perceived Effort — Progress indicators, smart defaults
4. Remove Uncertainty — Clear expectations, no surprises

Field-by-Field Best Practices

Field	Best Practice
Email	Single field, inline validation, typo detection
Password	Show toggle, strength meter vs. rigid rules
Name	Single "Full name" vs. First/Last (test)
Social Auth	Prominent placement, relevant options
Phone	Defer unless essential

Single vs. Multi-Step

• Single-step: 3 or fewer fields, simple products, high-intent traffic
• Multi-step: 4+ fields, complex B2B, need segmentation

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Part 4: Form Optimization

Core Principles

1. Every Field Has a Cost — 3 fields baseline, 7+ fields = 25-50% reduction
2. Value Must Exceed Effort — Clear proposition above form
3. Reduce Cognitive Load — One question per field, logical grouping

Field Optimization

Field	Best Practice
Email	Single field, inline validation, proper mobile keyboard
Name	Single "Name" vs. First/Last — test this
Phone	Optional if possible, explain why required
Company	Auto-suggest, enrichment after submission
Dropdowns	Searchable if many options, "Other" option

Multi-Step Forms

• Progress indicator (step X of Y)
• Start with easy, end with sensitive
• One topic per step
• Allow back navigation, save progress

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Part 5: Onboarding & Activation

Defining Activation

Find the Aha Moment — The action that correlates most strongly with retention:

• What do retained users do that churned users don't?
• What's the earliest indicator of future engagement?

Activation Metrics

• % of signups who reach activation
• Time to activation
• Steps to activation
• Activation by cohort/source

Onboarding Design Patterns

Approach	Best For	Risk
Product-first	Simple products, B2C, mobile	Blank slate overwhelm
Guided setup	Products needing personalization	Friction before value
Value-first	Products with demo data	May not feel "real"

Onboarding Checklist Pattern

• 3-7 items (not overwhelming)
• Order by value (most impactful first)
• Start with quick wins
• Progress bar/completion %
• Dismiss option

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Part 6: Paywall & Upgrade Optimization

Core Principles

1. Value Before Ask — After "aha moment," not before
2. Show, Don't Just Tell — Demonstrate paid feature value
3. Friction-Free Path — Easy to upgrade when ready
4. Respect the No — Don't trap or pressure

Paywall Trigger Points

Trigger	Best Practice
Feature Gates	Clear explanation, preview, quick unlock
Usage Limits	Clear indication, show upgrade value
Trial Expiration	Early warnings, summarize value received
Time-Based	Gentle reminders, highlight unused features

Paywall Components

1. Headline — "Unlock [Feature] to [Benefit]"
2. Value Demonstration — Preview, before/after
3. Feature Comparison — Highlight differences
4. Pricing — Clear, annual vs. monthly
5. Social Proof — Customer quotes
6. CTA — Specific, value-oriented
7. Escape Hatch — Clear "Not now" option

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Part 7: Popup & Modal Strategy

Trigger Strategies

Trigger	Best Practice
Time-Based	30-60 seconds (proven engagement)
Scroll-Based	25-50% depth, indicates engagement
Exit Intent	Last chance, mobile alternative needed
Click-Triggered	Zero annoyance, best for lead magnets
Behavior-Based	High-intent segments (cart abandonment)

Popup Types

• Email Capture — Clear value prop, single field
• Lead Magnet — Show what they get, instant delivery
• Discount/Promotion — Clear discount, deadline urgency
• Exit Intent — Acknowledge leaving, different offer
• Announcement Banner — Top of page, dismissable

Design Best Practices

• Desktop: 400-600px wide
• Mobile: Full-width bottom or center, not full-screen
• Close button visible (top right)
• Frequency capping: max once per session

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Part 8: CRO Audit Process

Mandatory Audit Steps

Step 1: Read Current State

• Read target page files
• Check related components
• Search for existing similar functionality

Step 2: Document What EXISTS

• Inventory current components
• Document data display locations
• Note design characteristics

Step 3: Redundancy Check

• Is this data already displayed elsewhere?
• Does similar functionality exist?
• Would this duplicate content?

Step 4: Identify Genuine Gaps

• Missing functionality (proven)
• Genuine UX problems (demonstrated)
• Clear value add

Step 5: Design Philosophy Check

• Simple, scannable layouts
• Strategic white space
• Information shown once, not repeated

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Part 9: A/B Testing Methodology

ICE Framework

Factor	Score (1-10)
Impact	Could this double conversion rate?
Confidence	How sure is this will work?
Ease	How easy to implement?

Critical: Make BOLD changes, not "meek tweaks."

Test Execution

• Document hypothesis: "If we [change X], then [metric Y] will improve because [reason]"
• Define primary and guardrail metrics
• Calculate required sample size BEFORE starting
• Wait for statistical significance (95% confidence minimum)
• Run for at least one full business cycle (1-2 weeks)

What NOT to Test

• Button colors before understanding objections
• Copy competitors blindly
• Optimize individual pages without funnel context

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Output Formats

Quick Audit

For each issue:

• Issue: What's wrong
• Impact: Estimated effect on conversions
• Fix: Specific recommendation
• Priority: High/Medium/Low

Comprehensive Recommendations

Organized by:

1. Quick wins (same-day fixes)
2. High-impact changes (week-level effort)
3. Test hypotheses (A/B tests)

Experiment Ideas

Category	Test Ideas
Form Design	Single vs. multi-step, field count, field order
Page Elements	Headlines, CTAs, trust signals, pricing
Onboarding	Step count, personalization, timing
Paywalls	Trigger timing, offer types, copy variations
Popups	Triggers, timing, design, frequency

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Related Skills

• ab-test-setup: For testing CRO hypotheses rigorously
• email-sequence: For onboarding and re-engagement sequences
• analytics-tracking: For conversion tracking setup
• copywriting: For persuasive copy optimization