People constantly reach out to ask me what my favorite reads are on CRO, or if I can recommend books to provide a good foundation in CRO.

Anyone who wants to learn about the fundamentals of CRO can do so by picking up a few good titles.  Below are two of my 3 favorite reads on the subject of CRO to get you started.

For someone new to the subject, it can be a little overwhelming to begin with – but these books will provide a solid basis regardless of your background. Whether or not you’re seeking to focus on CRO or remain a generalist, the concepts behind these books will serve you in good stead.

The Conversion Code

Chris Smith absolutely smashed it out of the park here. From sales scripts, preferred testing platforms & software, Chris doesn’t hold back.

This is hands-down, one of the best books I have ever read on the topic.

Pick it up, just do it.

No matter your level whether beginner or CEO, you will get something out of this book. All actionable advice you can put into action straight away and see the results.

1. Convert!: Designing Web Sites to Increase Traffic and Conversion

Understanding your visitors and the basics of traffic and conversion.

This is an oldy but a goody. Probably the most gifted book to my close friends and family when they ask me how I got started with conversion optimization.

This book was published in 2011, so a lot of the SEO-related sections are really outdated, but for me, the foundations that Ben discusses in relation to the attention ladder was a massive paradigm shift for me.

In a nutshell, a user goes through steps 1 through 5 starting at not even being aware of a problem, all the way through to being ready to buy from you.

He goes through how he identified simple yet powerful solutions in design, classic optimization techniques, and targeted testing. How to use testing to improve conversion rate, and several other techniques that combine creativity and analysis to produce the best possible results. Ben provides clear guidance on how to research, design, structure, and expand sites from the most important aspects of user engagement and profitability.

Understanding the principles laid out in this book will allow you to see opportunities where before you didn’t even realize it existed.

As I said, outdated books in some respects, but the fundamental principles behind them are timeless.  This book is one of the most important reads on conversion optimization for me, and the one I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in the subject start with.

A / B Testing: The Most Powerful Way to Turn Clicks Into Customers

Understanding A/B Testing, also known as split testing.

This book is a must for anyone who seeks to understand split testing. It breaks down the simple idea of showing distinct versions of a site to live traffic and using this to scientifically measure the effect each change has on visitors. How it is used to drive the effectiveness of marketing and user experience, all resulting in increasing conversion rates — (case study).  Split testing has been key to the success of giants like Google, Amazon, and Netflix. But now that anyone can learn split testing, and it no longer requires costly engineering and resources, there’s no reason we shouldn’t all apply it to small and medium sites.

This book provides the mental model and frameworks behind this key concept in CRO.

It breaks down split testing and uses case studies to back them up.

The concepts in this book allowed me to remove all emotion from the design decision-making process and instead allowed me to view decisions objectively as “experiments” and make powerful data-driven decisions.

Instead of going through the process of what you think is the right way to design a site or even wild guesses, it removes you from your ego and allows you to change the frame and ask the users what they want to see –  by testing.

Dan goes through what to test, how to choose the right test for the purpose, and how to personalize the experience for site visitors.

A must for anyone looking to get started with split testing software, or looking to take their website to the next level, no matter your technical expertise.

After reading these two books, you’ll have developed a rock-solid foundation in the concepts behind CRO. You’ll know enough to get going and learn some more through experimentation and trial and error. But armed with the guiding principles of CRO, everything else comes easy.

[Updated April 2023] Best Books On Conversion Rate Optimization

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the game is crucial, and conversion rate optimization (CRO) plays a vital role in increasing your website’s revenue potential.

To help you become a CRO mastermind, we’ve compiled an updated list of the best books on conversion rate optimization for April 2023. These must-reads will provide you with expert knowledge, practical strategies, and key insights to optimize conversions like never before.

Top Books For Conversion Rate Optimization

Discover the best books on conversion rate optimization including “Landing Page Optimization” by Tim Ash, “The Conversion Code” by Chris Smith, “Conversion Rate Optimization” by Khalid Saleh and Ayat Shukairy, and “You Should Test That!” by Chris Goward.

“Landing Page Optimization: The Definitive Guide To Testing And Tuning For Conversions” By Tim Ash

“Landing Page Optimization: The Definitive Guide to Testing and Tuning for Conversions” by Tim Ash is an essential read for anyone looking to improve their website’s conversion rate.

As a renowned CRO expert, Ash shares his invaluable knowledge and experience through real-life examples, case studies, and actionable strategies that you can apply directly to your own business.

One of the most compelling features of this book is its focus on understanding the psychology behind customer behavior. By tapping into the minds of your target audience, you gain a deeper understanding of what motivates them to convert.

Armed with this insight, you’ll be better equipped to create high-performing landing pages tailored specifically for your unique visitors’ needs. Furthermore, Tim Ash provides readers with detailed instructions on setting up A/B or multivariate tests – empowering marketers to make data-driven decisions when optimizing their campaigns for maximum results.

“The Conversion Code” By Chris Smith

“The Conversion Code” by Chris Smith is a must-read for anyone interested in boosting their online conversion rates. This highly-regarded book within the realm of conversion rate optimization books offers both beginner and advanced marketers invaluable insights into generating more leads, driving sales, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

One notable aspect of “The Conversion Code” is its practical approach to implementing effective strategies based on real-life examples and case studies from various industries.

As one of the best books on conversion rate optimization, it covers essential topics such as designing high-converting landing pages, using persuasive copywriting techniques, improving website user experience (UX), social media marketing tactics, email automation for nurturing leads effectively – all with actionable steps you can apply directly to your own business or projects.

“Conversion Rate Optimization” By Khalid Saleh And Ayat Shukairy

“Conversion Rate Optimization” by Khalid Saleh and Ayat Shukairy is a must-read for anyone looking to dive deep into the world of CRO. This comprehensive guide helps readers understand the core concepts, principles, and best practices when it comes to optimizing website conversion rates.

What sets “Conversion Rate Optimization” apart from other conversion rate optimization books is its emphasis on both the analytical and psychological aspects of CRO. The authors provide real-life case studies and actionable tips based on their extensive experience working with international clients across various industries.

This balance between theory and practice ensures that readers come away with not only a solid foundation in CRO but also an arsenal of practical techniques they can immediately apply to improve their websites’ performance.

“You Should Test That!” By Chris Goward

Another must-read book on the list of best books for conversion rate optimization is “You Should Test That!” by Chris Goward. The author is an expert in A/B testing, and in this book, he reveals practical techniques for increasing website and campaign conversions.

He provides a step-by-step process to help readers understand how to pinpoint what’s working and what’s not on their website or marketing campaigns. Additionally, he shares real-world examples of companies that have successfully improved their CRO through testing.

Advantages Of Reading CRO Books

Reading CRO books provides numerous advantages, including gaining actionable insights from industry experts, learning practical strategies to improve website performance, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in CRO.

Gain Actionable Insights From Industry Experts

One of the primary advantages of reading books on conversion rate optimization is that you gain access to insights from industry experts. These are authors who have extensive experience working with websites and have analyzed what works best for different types of businesses.

By studying their recommendations, readers can learn how to implement practical strategies that will improve website performance significantly. For instance, “Landing Page Optimization: The Definitive Guide To Testing and Tuning for Conversions” by Tim Ash provides a comprehensive guide on how to create high-performing landing pages that convert visitors into customers.

This book has been hailed as a must-read for anyone interested in CRO because it shares valuable insights from an author with years of experience in the field.

Learn Practical Strategies To Improve Website Performance

Reading books on conversion rate optimization enables you to learn practical strategies that can help improve your website’s performance. You’ll discover how to optimize your landing pages, create effective calls-to-action, increase click-through rates and much more.

For example, “Landing Page Optimization” by Tim Ash offers a comprehensive guide for optimizing different types of landing pages while “The Conversion Code” by Chris Smith provides actionable advice for converting leads into customers using a variety of channels including email marketing and social media advertising.

These books are packed with real-world examples and case studies that illustrate how companies have successfully increased their conversion rates.

Stay Up-to-date With The Latest Trends In CRO

One of the advantages of reading books on conversion rate optimization is that you can keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends. As the online marketplace evolves, it’s essential to stay current with new tactics and techniques used by businesses to enhance their website performance.

For instance, a few years ago, personalization was not as critical for optimizing conversions as it is today. The rise in mobile shopping has also led to increased emphasis on creating mobile-friendly websites.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reading books on conversion rate optimization (CRO) is an excellent way to improve your website’s performance and stay ahead of the competition. The top CRO authors offer practical tips, strategies, and insights to help you optimize your landing pages and boost conversions.

From “Landing Page Optimization” by Tim Ash to “You Should Test That!” by Chris Goward, each book provides a unique approach to mastering CRO techniques. By taking advantage of these valuable resources, you’ll be able to implement effective changes that drive results for your business.

 

Author: Kurt Philip