Guide: Testing a Navigation Menu

Below, we'll cover some test ideas for your navigation menu and give you step-by-step instructions on how to set them up.

Navigation menu tests

Rearrange Structure

• To make things easier for your users, try simplifying your menu. Fewer items and submenus mean less hassle in finding what they need.

• Or, if there's a page not getting many views, consider moving it to a different spot.

Sticky Navigation

• Test whether a sticky navigation menu (one that remains fixed at the top of the screen as the user scrolls) improves navigation and accessibility, especially on long product pages.

Highlight Promotions or New Arrivals

• Experiment with showcasing your latest deals or fresh arrivals in your navigation. This can help users notice those items, potentially boosting your traffic and sales.

Depending on your theme's editing capabilities, certain tests might require developers or special instructions to set up. If you need more help, contact customer support.

How to test your navigation menu

Navigation menus exist at a theme-level. Therefore, to test a navigation menu, you have to test two themes against each other, each theme with its own menu. Follow the below steps to test navigation menus on Shoplift. If you or your developers have prepared the new navigation menu on a staged theme, skip ahead to Step 4.

Step 1: Create and edit a navigation menu

In Shopify, navigate to Online Store > Navigation. From this page, you can click “Add Menu” to create your new navigation menu. For tips on editing your new navigation menu, visit the Shopify Help Center. Once your happy with your new navigation menu, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Create a duplicate theme

Continuing in Shopify, navigate to your Online Store. Click on the ellipsis by your live theme, and select “Duplicate” to create the variant theme for your test. We recommend renaming this duplicate theme with “Shoplift Test” at the beginning, for clear communication within your team.

Step 3: Edit your duplicate theme

After creating a duplicate theme in Shopify, click on the “Customize” button next to the duplicate theme to enter the Shopify Editor. Be sure to not click the “Customize” button on your live theme.

If the changes you want to test cannot be made through the Shopify Editor, you might need to implement custom code on your duplicate theme. If you need help, reach out to your developers or customer support.

In the Shopify Editor, click on your site’s header. This will open up the customization drawer for your header, where you change the site’s navigation menu. Click “Change” under the Menu section, and add the menu you just created to the duplicate theme. Remember to save your changes! After you’re done, your Editor might look something like this:

Now that you’ve staged your variant theme for testing, head over to Shoplift.

Step 4: Create a test

In Shoplift, click “Create a Test” to enter the Test Draft page. In the Test Draft page, click “Test a theme or global element,” and select your live theme as your original theme.

To select your variant theme, click “Select” and select the theme that has your changes staged on it. From here, you’re ready to specify test parameters and launch your test!