Client-side or server-side A/B testing is typically the two alternatives to website providers when deploying A/B tests. Which strategy is best for a given situation typically depends on the particular business needs, including the corporate structure, available resources, and—most crucially—the design and objectives of the tests to be done.
What, though do client-side and server-side testing entail? What benefits do the two strategies each offer, and how do they differ from one another? With the full stack approach, you can easily use hybrid tests to combine the advantages of both approaches, so in this article, we look at the many application domains and show that you are no longer forced to pick between the two!
Server-side versus client-side
The web pages are changed immediately in the visitor's browser when client-side testing is used. In order to accomplish this, the visitor's browser receives the source code of the original page from the server. A script (JavaScript, CSS, HTML, etc.) directs the desired changes directly to the browser (whether it be Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, etc.) to display a version of the modified page. As a result, A/B testing and personalizations can be made rapidly for various objectives, such as putting text, altering call-to-action buttons, organizing blocks, or adding pop-up windows.
Digital marketers may quickly implement client-side tests and personalizations without the need for complex technical knowledge. Client-side A/B testing is especially advantageous from a website provider's standpoint because it is incredibly adaptable and can be carried out by many marketing team members.
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But is the client-side testing strategy still effective today? Does conducting A/B tests solely at the front-end level hold up to today's more sophisticated standard user, who uses several channels to access websites and services?
Working server-side entails that optimization hypothesis be developed from the perspective of the back-end architecture. All test items are managed directly from the coding environment because the changes are generated as the HTML pages load. Thus, more thorough evaluations and customizations of the design and functionality of websites are possible.
Full stack: Make use of the advantages across disciplines
Any modern testing strategy should include the whole stack approach since combining the advantages of client-side and server-side A/B tests is simple. This is true both from a technical and data protection standpoint. It enables website owners to execute intricate omnichannel tests while including targeting options.
Price modifications, for example, can be evaluated on an omnichannel basis (back end) within a single multidisciplinary testing campaign, but other factors, such as the price display design and color, will depend on whether or not the visitor is a repeat customer (front end).
Why your testing strategy may need to consider complete stack as well
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Cross-functional teams are becoming more common
A definite tendency toward cross-functional teams has lately emerged due to the growing complexity of digital marketing. The collaboration of analysts, front-end developers, back-end developers, back-end specialists, digital marketers, and hybrid developers is highly valued by website providers (front end and back end). These participants can develop A/B tests together to run them as quickly and efficiently as feasible for all parties involved when a full-stack framework is included. Several many viewpoints are necessary to gain a 360-degree view of the user.
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Multiple-perspective 360-degree tests
The increasingly well-liked complete stack framework offers an entire image of users regarding A/B tests. Now that user tracking extends beyond the client-side and server-side levels, testing campaigns can perform tests based on particular user groups more accurately over a longer period.
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Flexible while yet adhering to data privacy regulations
Third-party cookies are frequently used in differentiated targeting functions that function across websites. By establishing exact guidelines on cookie lifetime and opt-in banner design, numerous GDPR-related laws have significantly complicated how cookies are used at the browser level. By setting the first-party cookie at the server level, the complete stack approach may be utilized to perform client-side testing while also tracking a user. In light of this, firms would benefit greatly from having a whole stack testing strategy to protect customer data.
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Modernization of A/B tests to reflect current architectural trends
There has been an increase in the use of server-side programming languages, such as Node.js and JavaScript, to create contemporary web apps. The use of JavaScript frameworks at the browser level, such as Vue.js, AngularJS, and React, is growing among website providers to boost performance permanently. The fact that an A/B test is typically triggered at the DOM (Document Object Model) level by “events” (such as refreshing and calling a web page) is making client-side testing extremely difficult.
Modern JavaScript frameworks ensure that after a web page has loaded, the client does not send any additional requests to the server and that only specific portions of the web page are reloaded to accomplish this performance improvement. With its ideal adaptation to modern online applications, the full stack strategy also offers the solution in this instance. As a result, the SDK (server-side) can predefine what alterations are also to be made at the client level for a particular website area (banner changes, call-to-action buttons, etc.).
To sum up, these were all the important strategies for A/B testing. If you are interested to learn more about java, testing, or other development tools, do explore the full stack software developer course in Hyderabad now. Learn the tech skills and become an IBM-certified full stack developer or tester.
