Image-based category slider for navigation: +$161K revenue
Test run byDave DiederenSyntra Labs
Commentary byLiftArchiveOur analysis, not theirsAdding a row of round image tiles for category navigation was credited with $161K in additional revenue. Dave Diederen ran this test on a Shopify store across 158,691 visitors and 1,612 orders. They reported that the result reached statistical significance.
- $161K in additional revenue reported from the test.
- 1,612 orders and 158,691 visitors in the test, a solid sample.
- Dave Diederen said the result was statistically significant, but no percentage lift or confidence figure was shown.
The change
A slider of round category image tiles appears under the header.
Simplified mockup drawn by LiftArchive from the shared screenshots.
Control
Shoppers moved between categories using the standard menu, with no visual category links near the top of the page.
Variant
A horizontal slider of round image tiles was added under the header, with labels such as Shop all, New arrivals, Best sellers and individual categories.
Why it likely won
Our reading of the result, not the practitioner's claim.
- pictures help shoppers spot the right category faster than text links in a menu.
- putting categories right under the header saves a tap into the hamburger menu on mobile.
- links like Best sellers and New arrivals give undecided visitors an easy starting point.
Caveats: Only total figures were shared, with no percentage lift, test duration or control screenshot. Results come from a single store.
Who ran it
Dave Diederen (@DaveDiederen) shared this test on X. The numbers and screenshots are theirs.
View the original post on X
How to run this test on your store
- Hypothesis
- If we add an image-based category slider under the header, then more visitors will find and buy products, because they can see and tap the right category without opening the menu.
- Primary metric
- Revenue per visitor
- Guardrails
- Conversion rate
- Bounce rate
- Average order value
- Who should test it
- Stores with several clear, visual categories and a lot of mobile traffic. It adds little if you sell one or two products or your categories are hard to show in a picture.
Questions
Do image-based category links help ecommerce navigation?
In this test, a slider of round category images was credited with $161K in extra revenue. Visual tiles let shoppers jump to a category in one tap.
Which categories should a category slider include?
This one led with Shop all, New arrivals and Best sellers, then specific categories. Those first links suit shoppers who have not decided yet.
Where should a category slider go?
Dave Diederen placed it directly under the header on the collection page, so it is the first thing shoppers see after the logo.
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