Pattern #51: Shortcut Buttons

Pattern #51  Tested 8 timesFirst tested by Martin Wong Recently tested by Stanley Zuo on Aug 26, 2025

Based on 8 Tests, Members See How Likely Version B Wins Or Loses And By How Much

LOSSES
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
FLAT
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5
WINS

Measured by the sum of negative and positive tests.

A B
Shortcut Buttons (Variant A) Shortcut Buttons (Variant B)

Expected Median Effects Of B

X.X%

Progression

(12 tests)

X.X%

Leads

(1 tests)

X.X%

Signups

(1 tests)

-

Engagement

X.X%

Sales

(7 tests)

X.X%

Revenue

(1 tests)

-

Retention

-

Referrals

X.X%

ANY PRIMARY

(8 tests)

All 7 tests meta-analyzed: +X.X% combined effect (p-val X.XXXX)

29% of 90% cumulative power target at 2% MDE from 7 tests Help replicate this with an A/B test

90%
↓
4% 4.5% 5.8% 5.8% 4.7% 4.6% 3.9%
Pricing 1 test: X%
Listing 6 tests: X%

Tested on

Tests

Pattern #51: Shortcut Buttons
Was Tested On Backstage.com by Stanley Zuo

Added

Isolated

Test # 336 on Backstage.com by Stanley ZuoStanley Zuo Jan 28, 2021 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 159,634 Visitors

  • Measured by visits to detail pages

  • Measured by application starts

  • Measured by membership purchases

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Listing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.9%1%
5.8%2%
16.1%5%
48.1%10%
80.9%15%
80%14.8%
96.2%20%

In this experiment, a listing page was expanded to show two actions (apply and view details) instead of a single one (view details only). This variation enabled users with a shortcut action to apply for roles one step earlier (and start membership flows for new users). 

Get Access To See The Test Results

The Same Pattern Was Also Tested Here

Replaced

Isolated

Test # 607 on Backstage.com by Stanley ZuoStanley Zuo Aug 26, 2025 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 43,967 Visitors

  • Measured by application starts

  • Measured by account creation

  • Measured by paid subscriptions

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Listing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.1%1%
3.9%2%
7.1%5%
16%10%
29.8%15%
46.9%20%
80%30.5%

In this experiment, additional "apply" buttons were shown on listing tiles which lead users one step further in the application process. These buttons were also shown with multiple role details. Impact on progression and job application starts was measured.

Get Access To See The Test Results

Replaced

Confounded

Test # 520 on Asics.com by Andrey ProkhorovAndrey Prokhorov Feb 29, 2024 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 39,941 Visitors

  • Measured by visits to checkout

  • Measured by completed transactions

  • Measured by ARPU

Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Product

This experiment started when users would click add-to-cart on product detail pages. In both the control and variation, a modal would appear. In the control the modal contained a "View Cart and Checkout" button that lead users to the cart page. In the variation the modal showed separate "View Cart" and "Checkout" buttons. The a/b test variation also introduced a green confirmation message about the product being added to cart. Impact on transactions and revenue was measured.
 

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Added

Isolated

Test # 388 by Jakub LinowskiJakub Linowski Dec 09, 2021 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 7,051 Visitors

  • Measured by adds to cart

  • Measured by completed sales

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Listing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.4%1%
4.6%2%
10.1%5%
27.3%10%
52.2%15%
75.7%20%
80%21.1%

In this experiment, extra "buy now" buttons were added on a listing page. These buttons were shortcuts to an add to cart flow, whereas the "learn more" buttons lead customers to product detail pages (visible in both control and variation). Impact on adds-to-cart and sales was measured.

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Added

Isolated

Test # 371 by Jakub LinowskiJakub Linowski Aug 18, 2021 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 3,041 Visitors

  • Measured by cart visits (after clicking Buy Now)

  • Measured by completed transactions

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Listing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.5%1%
4.7%2%
10.4%5%
28.4%10%
54.2%15%
78%20%
80%20.5%

In this experiment, the variation added an extra "Buy Now" button that linked directly into the cart process. The variation only had a learn more button linking directly to a product page.

Get Access To See The Test Results

Replaced

Isolated

Test # 337 on Backstage.com by Stanley ZuoStanley Zuo Jan 28, 2021 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 159,693 Visitors

  • Measured by visits to detail pages

  • Measured by application starts

  • Measured by membership purchases

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Listing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.9%1%
5.8%2%
16.1%5%
48.1%10%
80.9%15%
80%14.8%
96.2%20%

In this experiment, a listing page was expanded to show two actions (apply and view details) instead of a single one (view details only). In the variant, the "view detail" links were replaced with "apply links" starting a job application (and membership flows) sooner. 

Get Access To See The Test Results

Added

Isolated

Test # 282 on Thomasnet.com by Julian GaviriaJulian Gaviria Feb 07, 2020 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 163,317 Visitors

  • Measured by visits to company profiles

  • Measured by starts registration

  • Measured by successful contact requests

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Listing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.4%1%
4.5%2%
9.7%5%
25.5%10%
48.7%15%
71.9%20%
80%22.2%

In this experiment, a contact button was added to a listing / search results page to make it faster to contact a company. This same button was also visible on the company detail page.

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Added

Isolated

Test # 139 on Examine.com by Martin WongMartin Wong Jan 04, 2018 Test link

Find Out How It Did With 18,620 Visitors

  • Measured by any product page visit

  • Measured by checkout visits (clicks "Purchase")

  • Measured by actual sales

  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
  • XX.X% (XXX successes out of XXX,XXX visitors)
Zoom In
Shortcut Buttons - Variant A A
Shortcut Buttons - Variant B B
Pricing
Statistical Power by Minimum Detectable Effect
3%0.5%
3.2%1%
4%2%
7.6%5%
18.1%10%
34.2%15%
53.5%20%
80%27.9%

In this test an additional "Purchase" button was shown along side a "Learn More" button. The "Purchase" button went straight to checkout, whereas the "Learn More" button went to a product overview page.

Get Access To See The Test Results

Leaks

Leak #52 from   |   May 4, 2020 Product

Amazon A/B Tests And Keeps Both Add-To-Cart And Buy Now Buttons

A - Mar 27, 2020 IMPLEMENTED
B - Mar 27, 2020

Two months ago I managed to detect that Amazon was actually a/b testing the removal of the second "Buy Now" button on a specific product page. Finally today it looks like the experiment has completed with both buttons still being displayed - like in the old days. View Leak

+0.5 Evidence

For each pattern, we measure three key data points derived from related tests:

REPEATABILITY - this is a measure of how often a given pattern has generated a positive or negative effect. The higher this number, the more likely the pattern will continue to repeat.

SHALLOW MEDIAN - this is a median effect measured with low intent actions such as initiating the first step of a lengthier process

DEEP MEDIAN - this is derived from the highest intent metrics that we have for a given test such as fully completed signups or sales.