What is server-side testing?
Server-side testing is a sophisticated method of A/B testing that allows variations to be rendered directly from the webserver to the visitor"s device. This approach enables more advanced tests that can improve user experience without affecting performance. Server-side testing opens up new experimentation possibilities deep within your tech stack, enhancing your ability to run complex tests beyond just UI changes.
Server-side testing vs. client-side testing
Server-side testing differs from client-side testing in its approach to rendering variations. While client-side testing relies on changes made in the visitor"s browser, server-side testing performs modifications directly on the webserver before sending them to the user. Server-side testing is ideal for complex tests like product recommendation algorithms, ensuring a seamless user experience across multiple channels.
Applications of server-side experimentation
Server-side testing offers diverse applications including A/B testing of webpages and mobile apps, feature testing to evaluate different product features before rollout, and feature flag management for dynamically controlling feature visibility. With feature flag management, you can toggle features on and off in real-time, verify feature functionality, and fine-tune user experience without requiring new code deployments.