Setting up split tests is really easy once you know how. I remember struggling myself to understand how it all works, so today I’m going to show you exactly how to set up split tests using Prosper202 and the split testing script they provide. I like this script because it’s simple and does exactly what I need for 99% of projects.

Step #1: Understanding Which Files Are Involved

There are 4 files you need:

1. index.php – this is the file we will drop our split testing script in soon.
2. lp1.php – stands for landingpage1. It’s our first landing page we want to test out.
3. lp2.php – stands for landingpage2. It’s our second landing page we want to test out.
4. count.txt – the split testing script within index.php relies on this file. The permissions of count.txt need to be set to 777, which you can do in your FTP program.

Let’s pretend we are working in a folder located at domain.com/split-test. Here is a visual of what your folder looks like now:

Step #2: The Code for index.php

Here is the code you need to put in index.php:

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<?php
 
//Tracking202 Landing Page Rotation Script
//landing pages filenames, theses will be rotated between eachother
//theses landing pages must be in the same DIRECTORY as this file
//you can add as many landing pages here as you like
 
$landingpage[1] = 'lp1.php';
$landingpage[2] = 'lp2.php';
 
//this is the text file, which will be stored in the same directory as this file, 
//count.txt needs to be CHMOD to 777, full privlledges, to read and write to it.
 
$myFile = "count.txt";
 
//open the txt file
$fh = @fopen($myFile, 'r');
$lpNumber = @fread($fh, 5);
@fclose($fh);
 
//see which landing page is next in line to be shown.
if ($lpNumber >= count($landingpage)) {
    $lpNumber = 1;
} else {
    $lpNumber = $lpNumber + 1;
}
 
//write to the txt file.
$fh = fopen($myFile, 'w') or die("can't open file");
$stringData = $lpNumber . "\n";
fwrite($fh, $stringData);
fclose($fh);
 
//include the landing page
include_once($landingpage[$lpNumber]); 
 
//terminate script
die();
 
?>

Here’s the script in .txt format

Now, whenever you go to domain.com/split-test/index.php you’ll see the 1st landing page. When you refresh, you’ll see the 2nd landing page. When you refresh again, you’ll see the 1st landing page.

All the script does is grabs the landing pages you set (lp1.php & lp2.php) and loads it. You are actually viewing lp1.php and lp2.php AT domain.com/split-test/index.php

Check out my example here to see what I mean.

Step #3: Set Up Landing Pages in Prosper202

Now you need to setup lp1.php and lp2.php in Prosper202. There is nothing special about this part – you do it like normal. If you have poked around in Prosper202 before, chances are you already know how to do this.

For those who don’t, you need to setup landing pages for these files:

1. index.php – set up a landing page for index.php so you can select it in #7 Get Links. You don’t need to place any javascript or PHP code, but you do need to set it up in Setup–>#4 Landing Pages
2. lp1.php – set up your landing page and place the javascript/php affiliate link code.
3. lp2.php – again, set up your landing page and place the javascript/php affiliate link code.

Now, you can go to #7 Get Links and select your index.php rotator page. This is the link you submit to your traffic source. When people click your ad, some will see your first lander and others will see your second lander.

Step #4: Looking at the Data in Prosper202

Login to Prosper202 and go to Analyze–>Landing Pages

(click to enlarge)

I like to name my landing pages in Prosper202 the actual location of their file. That way, you can see which landing page is doing best and simply delete the others from index.php

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$landingpage[1] = 'lp1.php';
$landingpage[2] = 'lp2.php'; //delete this line if this landing page doesn't perform!