If you’re running email campaigns and want to squeeze more results out of your copy, A/B testing isn’t an optional “nice to have”—it’s how you get from “maybe this works?” to “this definitely works.” And if you’re using Hoppycopy to write, manage, or optimize your emails, you’ll want to know how to do this right.
This guide walks you through the actual process of setting up A/B tests in Hoppycopy. No fluff, no sales pitch, no “data-driven ecosystems.” Just the steps, some honest advice on what’s worth your time, and a few pitfalls to dodge.
Who This Is For
- Marketers running email or SMS campaigns who want better results
- Freelancers or agencies managing copy for multiple clients
- Anyone tired of guessing which subject line or body text is better
If you need a one-click “make my emails win” button, sorry, that doesn’t exist. But if you want a repeatable way to run real A/B tests in Hoppycopy, keep reading.
Step 1: Get Set Up in Hoppycopy
Before you can test anything, make sure you’ve got the right plan. Hoppycopy’s A/B testing features aren’t available on every plan—double-check their pricing page if you’re not sure. If you’re already writing and managing emails inside Hoppycopy, you’re probably good to go.
- Log in and head to your dashboard.
- If you don’t have a campaign set up yet, create a new one. You’ll need to organize your emails here.
Pro tip: Keep one campaign per product or audience. Mixing too much stuff in one campaign will make your test results muddy and hard to interpret.
Step 2: Pick What You’re Testing (and Don’t Overdo It)
This is where most people trip up. You can test anything—subject lines, preview text, headers, call to action, even the emoji in your signoff. But unless you’re swimming in traffic and sends, testing one thing at a time is how you get clear answers.
Choose one variable:
- Subject line (most popular)
- Email body copy (pick a key paragraph, don’t rewrite the whole thing)
- Call to action button text
What to ignore:
Don’t sweat tiny tweaks (like “Hi” vs “Hey” at the top) unless you’re running massive lists. Focus on changes that might actually move the needle.
Step 3: Write Your Variations
Inside your campaign, find the email you want to test. Hoppycopy lets you duplicate emails or create variants right in the editor.
- Open the email you want to test.
- Click “Create Variant” (sometimes this is under a dropdown or right-click menu).
- Write your alternate version, changing only the thing you want to test.
Keep everything else identical. If you’re testing the subject line, don’t mess with the body. If you’re testing the CTA, leave the rest alone. The more you change, the less you’ll know what caused the result.
Naming tip:
Label your variants clearly (“Subject Line A: Free Shipping” vs “Subject Line B: 10% Off”) so you don’t confuse yourself later.
Step 4: Set Up the A/B Test
Once you have two (or more, but don’t get greedy) versions, it’s time to actually tell Hoppycopy to run an A/B test.
- Select both variants in your campaign.
- Look for the “A/B Test” toggle or button. (In some versions, this is called “Split Test”—same thing.)
- Set your split percentage. 50/50 is standard—don’t bother with weird ratios unless you have a reason.
- Double-check your settings. You want each version going to a random half of your audience, not based on time or segment.
Reality check:
If your list is smaller than a few thousand, your results will be shaky. Don’t stress about statistical significance if you’re just starting out; just look for clear winners and obvious flops.
Step 5: Connect or Export to Your Sending Platform
Here’s the part where things get a little less magical. Hoppycopy itself isn’t an email sender—it’s your copywriting and management tool. So you’ll need to either:
-
Connect Hoppycopy to your ESP (Email Service Provider):
If you use a platform like Mailchimp or Klaviyo, Hoppycopy offers direct integrations on some plans. Follow their connection guide to sync your variants. -
Or, export your variants:
If integration isn’t available (or you prefer manual), export the variant emails. Then, set up the A/B test directly in your ESP. Most providers have a basic A/B test tool; just copy/paste your Hoppycopy variants.
Heads up:
Some ESPs only let you test subject lines, not body content. If you want to test different bodies, you may need to set up two separate campaigns and do some spreadsheet work to track results.
Step 6: Launch the Test
Once your variants are in your ESP and the A/B test is set up, send it out to your list. Don’t overthink the timing—just avoid weekends or holidays unless that’s when your audience is active.
Checklist before sending: - Double-check links and images in both variants - Make sure you’re not sending to your test account or internal team only - Preview both emails (most ESPs let you do this)
Pro tip:
If your ESP offers “automatic winner” sending (where it picks the best performer and sends that to the rest), use it—but only if your list is big enough for a fair test.
Step 7: Measure Results (And Don’t Get Fooled by Noise)
After sending, you’ll get results in your ESP, not Hoppycopy. Look at the metrics that matter for what you tested:
- Subject line test: Open rate (but remember: Apple Mail privacy can make this fuzzy)
- Body or CTA test: Click rate or reply rate
Ignore “vanity metrics” like “delivered” or “forwarded”—they rarely move the needle for copy.
How long to wait?
Usually, 24-72 hours is enough for most responses to come in. If you’re running big campaigns (100k+), wait longer.
What counts as a “winner”?
Don’t chase tiny differences. If A gets 18.4% opens and B gets 19.1%, that’s basically a tie. Look for big, obvious gaps—5% or more.
Step 8: Apply What You Learn (and Archive the Rest)
Take the winning version and use it for the rest of your campaign. Archive or tag the loser so you don’t repeat yourself next time.
Pro tip:
Start a “Swipe File” inside Hoppycopy (or wherever you keep notes) of your winning subject lines, angles, and CTAs. Over time, you’ll see what actually works for your list—not what some guru says should work.
What to Avoid
- Testing too many things at once: You’ll have no idea why a version won or lost.
- Running tests on tiny lists: If you only have 200 subscribers, the winner could just be luck.
- Obsessing over stats: Use tests to spot clear wins, not chase decimal points.
- Not following up: If you find something that works, use it everywhere, not just in one email.
Keep It Simple and Keep Going
A/B testing in Hoppycopy isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little discipline. Start with one variable, look for clear patterns, and don’t get lost in the weeds. The fastest way to better results is to keep testing, learn from what actually works, and ignore the noise.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just pick one email this week and run a quick subject line test. Next week, try a CTA. That’s it. The best copy isn’t the fanciest—it’s the one that gets opened, clicked, and acted on.