I’m often asked which tools I suggest for creating lean experiments. New tools arrive almost everyday, but I’ve found this list below to represent the easiest and most effective. Send me a note if you’d like to suggest a new tool…
Create Experiment Landing Pages with:
Unbounce
Let’s people build, publish and test landing pages without IT or software (advanced features)
Lander
Let’s people build, publish and test landing pages without IT
Launchrock
Create a VERY simple and viral “launching soon” page in minutes (minimal features)
WordPress (advanced option)
Create pages manually using WordPress. Get themes here (ThemeForest, WooThemes)
GoDaddy.com
Get a domain name to use for your test, also provides easy WP hosting, email, etc.
WuFoo Forms
Simple web-based form builder you can add to any web page (include minimal analytics)
Find People to Experiment With
Get Outside the Building
The #1 thing you must do – interact with real customers on the street!!!
Google Adwords, Bing and Yahoo Ads, Facebook Ads
Pay-per-click advertising you can point to your landing pages
CraigsList.com
Free place to get access to customers REALLY quickly.
AskYourTargetMarket
Enables you to perform your own online market research. Be careful when using surveys!
UserTesting
Provides fast, affordable feedback on your website and mobile apps within an hour
Fiverr.com
Community of people who will help with tasks for only $5 (they’ll tweet your idea)
Collect Data, Measure Behavior
Segment.io
Send event tracking data to multiple analytics platforms with one snippet of code (includes WP plugins)
Google Analytics
Free web page analytics from Google (works with most hosting platforms)
KISSmetrics
Measure engagement and customer behavior
MixPanel
Measure engagement and customer behavior
Optimizely
A/B testing with a snippet of code to insert in the page header.
Bit.ly
Simple URL shortener and click-though tracker
LinkShiftr
Feature-rich URL shortener tracks location and source
HelloBar
Special offer “header banner” you can add to any web page with basic analytics.
Awe.sm
Developers use awe.sm to make meaning out of social sharing behavior.
OLark
Real-time chat for your web page, engage customers in real time
SnapEngage
Live chat helps you to sell better and help your customer
UserVoice
Interact with customers and build relationships (advanced, longer term option)
Prototyping / Misc
Balsamiq
Designing apps & wire-frames by sketching out your ideas quickly.
Keynotopia
Provide user interaface design temaplates that enable you to prototype and test your app ideas using keynote, ppt, or open office.
LeanCanvas.com or Free Google Docs – Business Model Canvas
Collaboratively track your business model over time.