In this section, get introduced to information regarding the "go live" process in LiveBall.

• Understanding URLs
• Proof, preview & test prior to going live
• Go live 

Understanding URLs

One of the most surprising things about LiveBall is the way that it handles URLs and testing. LiveBall separates links from pages, so what is shown to users is independent from the link they clicked on. That means a single URL can be used over and over again for multiple waves of testing — making it easier for you to distribute URLs once and test over time. 

LiveBall pages are typically shown on a subdomain of your website’s root domain. For example, ion’s root domain name is ioninteractive.com and our landing pages live in LiveBall at paths.ioninteractive.com. LiveBall generates specific, trackable URLs on your subdomain that you then place in your ads or emails. 

Traffic sources

These trackable URLS are called "traffic sources." Traffic sources allow you to test as many alternatives as you like, without creating a new URL for each test. Traffic distribution (weighting), testing, optimization and SEO features are all controlled at the traffic source level. Visit our support section for step by step instructions on how to open a traffic source.

Proof, preview & end-to-end testing

LiveBall gives you several ways to review your landing pages for proper spelling/grammar, consistent messaging/branding and functionality, prior to go live. Use the creative proof feature for line by line review of third-party scripts, content and advanced rules/conditional logic. The preview feature allows for advanced respondent simulation of your landing page "experience". We recommend using the preview function for testing user experience and conditional logic triggered by query parameters, previous behaviors, location, browser, etc. 

Often, end-to-end testing of data exports or third-party tracking is required. Set up of a "Testing" or "Sandbox" portfolio is suggested as a best practice for end-to-end testing — this ensures test results are tracked separately from 'live' traffic.

Before you go live...

Remember to review your "go live" checklist! Don't have one yet? Use the general checklist below to help guide the customization of your own.

• Brand consistency
• Messaging
• Functionality 
• Browser compatibility (if you've created custom templates in LiveBall)
• Page titles/meta data
• Third-party tracking codes/scripts
• Third-party integration
• Copy/grammar/spelling
• Behavioral tagging
• Advanced logic/rules
• External conversion tracking (if applicable)