“Conversion Rate Experts” becomes Europe’s first Google Website Optimizer Authorized Consultant

At the beginning of 2006, internet marketing expert Ben Jesson believed that the industry-leading websites of his employer, www.mobalrental.com and www.mobell.co.jp, could not be improved upon. Then a chance conversation with his colleague Dr Karl Blanks, a former Cambridge rocket scientist, led to the creation of a new system for increasing a website’s profits… using scientific tools. Over the following 18 months, the company’s sales nearly went through the roof [well, through the ceiling - see their wall chart], increasing from £1.7m ($3.1m) to £9.7m ($18.5m).

In December 2006, Jesson and Blanks started a consultancy company called “Conversion Rate Experts” (CRE). They did so by launching, from their bedrooms, a website (www.conversion-rate-experts.com) that contained a single-page article. The article, which was supposedly written by a cartoon squirrel, revealed some of the techniques they had been using. Thanks to viral websites like Digg, it immediately became the 3rd-fastest-growing website in the world [see screenshot from Alexa.com], getting more visitors than tesco.com and easyjet.com [see graph].

The following day, they were surprised to receive a phone call from Google. They have now accepted Google’s invitation to become the only European consulting partner for Google’s new Website Optimizer service.

CRE’s services include a free course on Google Website Optimizer, which can be downloaded from www.conversion-rate-experts.com.

Dr Karl Blanks and Mr Ben Jesson make for a lively interview. To arrange an interview, call Dr Blanks on 0207 1933 696 or 07715 809444.

Google and Google Website Optimizer are trademarks of Google Inc.

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