# What is CRO – Conversion Rate Optimization?

What is CRO – Conversion Rate Optimization? A systematic process to improve conversion rates: data analysis, A/B tests, UX improvements, and marketing…

## How it works in practice

A 0.5% CR improvement on 10,000 monthly visits equals 50 additional sales without spending another dollar. It's the highest-leverage work available.

## Related metrics

- A/B Testing — the central tool
- Heatmap — a tool for finding issues
- UX — two sides of the same coin
- Funnel Analysis — shows where to focus

## Common misconception

'CRO means changing button colors.' CRO is a scientific process. 40% of A/B tests reveal that the assumed 'improvement' actually lowers conversions. Changes without evidence are directionless work.

## How to fix it

CRO not paying off? (1) Sample size — an A/B test with 100 visits isn't significant, you need 1,000+ per variant, (2) test one thing at a time, (3) require statistical significance above 95%.

## Real-world example

A sofa store: CR was 0.8%. A heatmap showed customers weren't scrolling to reviews. An A/B test moving reviews above the fold raised CR to 1.3% — a 62% lift with zero added ad spend.

## Where to start

Start CRO after 500+ daily visits — before that, there isn't enough data. Cycle: Hotjar → identify issues → A/B test → implement.

---

Category: UX · From the [Jimmy OS KPI Glossary](https://jimmy-os.com/glossary/kpi.md) · Source page: https://jimmy-os.com/glossary/kpi/cro-conversion-rate-optimization