Use Cases
A URL redirect test sends visitors to a completely different page on your store based on their test assignment. Instead of changing how a page looks, a URL redirect test changes which page visitors see.
This guide covers the most common scenarios where a URL redirect test is the right choice, along with setup tips for each.
When to use a URL redirect test
URL redirect tests are ideal when you want to compare two entirely different pages rather than two versions of the same page. The key question: are you testing how a page looks, or which page a visitor should land on?
Different pages → URL redirect test
Different layouts of the same page → template test or theme test
Landing page tests
Test whether a custom landing page converts better than a standard Shopify page for campaign traffic.
Example: You're running a summer sale campaign. Your current ads link to /collections/summer-sale, a standard collection grid. You've built a curated landing page at /pages/summer-sale-curated with editorial content, lifestyle imagery, and hand-picked product recommendations. A URL redirect test lets you send half your ad traffic to each page and measure which one drives more revenue.
Setup Tip
Pair this with audience targeting using UTM parameters so the test only runs for visitors arriving from your campaign. This keeps organic traffic on your original page while testing the new experience for paid traffic.
Alternative product page tests
Test a completely different product page experience by sending visitors to a duplicate product page.
Example: You want to test whether a simplified product page with fewer options increases conversion. Create a duplicate product in Shopify with the same images and pricing but a streamlined description. Set the duplicate to Active status so it's live but not linked in your navigation. Then set up a URL redirect test from your original product URL to the duplicate.
This is also useful when you want to test changes that live at the product level (like different product descriptions, image order, or variant options) rather than at the template level.
When duplicating products for testing, keep inventory in mind. Duplicate products have separate inventory counts. If you're selling physical goods, make sure both products have adequate stock, or use a shared inventory solution.
Collection page vs. curated page tests
Test whether visitors convert better from a standard collection page or a hand-curated shopping experience.
Example: Your /collections/bestsellers page shows a standard product grid sorted by sales. You've built /pages/staff-picks as a curated page with editorial recommendations, product stories, and a more personal feel. A URL redirect test measures which approach drives more purchases.
About page and brand storytelling tests
Test different versions of your brand story or about page to see which builds more trust and drives downstream purchases.
Example: Your current about page at /pages/about is text-heavy and tells the founder's story. You've built an alternative at /pages/our-story with a visual timeline, customer testimonials, and embedded video. A URL redirect test shows which version keeps visitors on your site longer and leads to more conversions.
Page builder landing pages
If you use a page builder like PageFly, GemPages, or Replo, URL redirect tests are often the best way to test page-builder content.
Page builder apps store their content separately from your Shopify theme files, which means template tests can't directly modify page-builder layouts in the Shopify Theme Editor. Instead, build two versions of your page in the page builder (each with its own URL), then use a URL redirect test to split traffic between them.
Example: You have a homepage built in PageFly at your root URL. You've created an alternative version in PageFly with a different layout. Assign the alternative to a separate page URL (like /pages/home-v2), then set up a URL redirect test from your homepage to the alternative.
Make sure both page-builder pages are published and accessible before launching your test. Shoplift handles the redirect but doesn't create or manage pages in your page builder.
Do you need a URL redirect test?
Before setting one up, consider whether a simpler test type would work:
Different layout for your product pages
Template test
Different hero section on your homepage
Template test
Completely different landing page for a campaign
URL redirect test
New header or footer design
Theme test
Different page-builder layouts
URL redirect test
Whether visitors convert better from collection vs. curated page
URL redirect test
Global color or font changes
Theme test
Last updated
Was this helpful?