Configuring send time optimization in the A/B test node
The send time optimization feature is available only for the Email channel.
Send time optimization in the A/B Test node is used only to determine the personalized send time of the optimized message (the main mailing). To optimize the time of sending of individual split mailingsVariation of a regular mailing where a subset of recipients is "split off". Also called split-run testing, A/B testing or bucket testing. Its purpose is to test various emails against each other to determine which version is best to use as the master mailing., use a separate Wait node for each split mailing and configure the send time optimization in the Wait node.
The end of this topic shows examples with figures illustrating which node you need for which scenario (an A/B Test node and/or a Wait node):
- Configure send time optimization only for the optimized message (the main mailing).
- Configure send time optimization only for split mailings.
- Configure send time optimization for both split mailings and the optimized message.
To configure send time optimization in the A/B test node, follow these steps.
- Under the Send Date specify a Fallback time.
- Enable the send time optimization.
- Select the maximum length of time for the send time optimization.
- Adjust the start and end times of the send time optimization and, if necessary, shorten the preselected maximum length.
- Check your settings in the info area.
Specifying a fallback time
If there is insufficient data about individual recipients to determine a personalized send time, your optimized message is sent to these recipients at the fallback time. To specify a fallback time:
- In the Create Campaign window or the Edit Campaign window within Smart Campaigns, drag an A/B Test node from the left action pane to the workspace, between the Recipients node and the Wait node/Email node.
A context menu opens.
- To enable automatic optimization, select the check box next to Activate automatic optimization.
- In the drop-down list, select the type of optimization.
- Under Sending Date of the Optimized Message, select an option and specify the fallback time.
Option The fallback time is set to Configuration Date and Time A fixed time. Specify a date and a time. Delay After Last Split Immediately after the delay. Specify the delay time. Manual The manual start time. No configuration step needed.
Enabling send time optimization
Enable the send time optimization feature after setting the fallback time.
In the context menu, select the check box next to Send time optimization.
You have enabled send time optimization. The context menu now includes:
- options for the maximum length of time (only for the fallback Date and Time)
- a date slider
- an info area
Setting maximum length of time
Set the maximum length of time that Optimizely Campaign can use to optimize the sending of optimized messages/main mailings:
Click 24 hours or 7 days.
Adjusting start and end times
You can adjust the start and end times of the send time optimization in 15-minute increments. If you make no changes, the start and end times are set so that the fallback date is the midpoint of the selected maximum length of time.
To adjust the start and end times without changing the maximum length of time, click the arrow keys on the sides of the date slider or adjust the slider using the computer mouse.
To adjust the start and end times and reduce the maximum length of time, click and grab the corresponding date tab with the computer mouse.
You can adjust the 24 hours and 7 days defaults downwards and shorten the maximum length of time from 7 days to 3 days. For example, for editorial purposes or short-term promotions.
Checking settings in the info area
Your current send time optimization settings appear in the information area.
Check your specified configuration in the info area, and change your settings if necessary.
A/B test node examples
You can configure send time optimization in one of three ways for an A/B test:
- Only for the optimized message (main mailing)
- Only for split mailings
- For both split mailings and for the optimize message
Only optimized message/main mailing
To only configure the send time optimization for the optimized message or the main mailing, configure the send time optimization in the A/B Test node only.
Only split mailings
If you want to send split mailings using a send time optimization, use a separate Wait node for each split mailing, and configure the send time optimization in each Wait node.
Both split mailings and optimized message or main mailing
If you want to configure a send time optimization for both split mailings and the optimized message or main mailing, configure the send time optimization in the A/B Test node and in the Wait node of the split mailing.
For information about the Smart Campaigns node and split mailings, see Smart Campaigns nodes and A/B test.