7 Best CRO Tools for eCommerce Brands in 2026

Is your eCommerce store attracting traffic, but sales are… well, meh? Sound familiar? In the cutthroat world of online retail, simply getting eyeballs on your product pages isn't enough. You need to convert those visitors into paying customers. That's where Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) swoops in to save the day.
CRO isn't just about tweaking a button color or changing a headline. It's a data-driven process of understanding your customer's journey and removing the friction that prevents them from completing a purchase. It involves analyzing user behavior, running A/B tests, and making informed decisions to improve your website's performance. The ultimate goal? To turn more of your website visitors into paying customers and boost your bottom line.
But before diving in, let's look at some eye-opening statistics:
- Approximately 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned Baymard Institute.
- eCommerce conversion rates average around 2-3% BigCommerce.
- Businesses that invest in CRO see an average ROI of 223% Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Statistics.
These numbers highlight the massive potential for growth that lies within optimizing your website. But with countless tools available, where do you even begin? This guide will break down 7 of the best CRO tools to help eCommerce brands in 2026 turn clicks into conversions.
1. CRO Benchmark
CRO Benchmark is an AI-driven conversion optimization audit that analyzes 250+ criteria across your eCommerce store. It uncovers your biggest conversion leaks and delivers prioritized fixes, tailored A/B testing ideas, and a clear CRO Index Score from 0–100. It's a comprehensive tool for quickly identifying areas for improvement.
Important Tip: Regular audits with CRO Benchmark can provide a clear view of your performance and help you stay on top of your conversion game.
Key Features:
- AI-Powered Audit: Quickly identifies conversion bottlenecks.
- Prioritized Recommendations: Focuses on the most impactful changes.
- A/B Testing Ideas: Provides tailored test suggestions.
Pros:
- Saves time by automating the audit process.
- Offers actionable insights for immediate improvements.
- Provides a clear CRO Index Score for tracking progress.
Cons:
- Requires integration with your eCommerce platform.
- May require technical expertise to implement some recommendations.
Pricing:
- Contact for pricing.
2. Google Optimize (Sunsetted)
Google Optimize was a popular A/B testing and personalization tool that helped eCommerce stores improve their website performance. Although it is sunsetted, it is still a helpful example of the type of tool that can be used. It allowed you to test different versions of your website to see which performed best. While no longer available, the principles remain relevant.
Key Features (Historical):
- A/B Testing: Test different variations of your pages.
- Personalization: Customize the user experience.
- Reporting: Analyze results and identify areas for improvement.
Pros (Historical):
- Free to use (for basic features).
- Easy to integrate with Google Analytics.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons (Historical):
- Limited features compared to paid tools.
- No longer available.
Pricing:
- Free (Now Sunsetted)
3. Hotjar
Hotjar is a powerful tool that helps you understand how users interact with your website. It provides heatmaps, session recordings, and surveys to give you valuable insights into user behavior. This data is critical for identifying usability issues and areas where users are struggling.
Warning: Be mindful of user privacy when using session recordings. Always obtain consent and anonymize sensitive data.
Key Features:
- Heatmaps: Visualize user clicks, taps, and scrolling behavior.
- Session Recordings: Watch real user sessions to understand their experience.
- Surveys: Collect direct feedback from users.
Pros:
- Provides qualitative data to complement quantitative analytics.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Offers a free plan for basic usage.
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming to analyze large amounts of data.
- Free plan has limitations on the number of recordings and surveys.
Pricing:
- Offers free and paid plans. Pricing varies depending on usage.
4. Optimizely
Optimizely is a leading A/B testing and experimentation platform for eCommerce brands. It offers a wide range of features, including A/B testing, multivariate testing, and personalization capabilities. Optimizely is designed for larger businesses and offers robust features for optimizing the entire customer journey.
Key Features:
- A/B Testing: Test different versions of your pages.
- Multivariate Testing: Test multiple elements simultaneously.
- Personalization: Deliver tailored experiences to different user segments.
Pros:
- Robust features and capabilities.
- Scalable for large businesses.
- Strong customer support.
Cons:
- Can be expensive.
- Requires technical expertise to implement.
Pricing:
- Contact for pricing.
5. VWO (Visual Website Optimizer)
VWO is another popular A/B testing platform that helps eCommerce businesses optimize their websites. It's known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes. VWO offers a range of features, including A/B testing, multivariate testing, and user behavior analytics.
Key Features:
- A/B Testing: Test different versions of your pages.
- User Behavior Analytics: Understand how users interact with your website.
- Segmentation: Target tests to specific user segments.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface.
- Comprehensive A/B testing features.
- Good customer support.
Cons:
- Can be expensive.
- May not have all the advanced features of Optimizely.
Pricing:
- Contact for pricing.
6. Crazy Egg
Crazy Egg focuses on providing visual insights into user behavior. It offers heatmaps, scroll maps, and clickmaps to help you understand how users are interacting with your website. This visual data can be invaluable for identifying areas where users are struggling or where you can improve the user experience.
Key Features:
- Heatmaps: Visualize user clicks, taps, and scrolling behavior.
- Scroll Maps: See how far users scroll down your pages.
- Clickmaps: Identify the areas users are clicking on.
Pros:
- Easy to understand visual data.
- Affordable pricing.
- Simple to set up and use.
Cons:
- Limited A/B testing capabilities.
- May not provide as much in-depth data as other tools.
Pricing:
- Offers various pricing plans based on usage.
7. Lucky Orange
Lucky Orange is a comprehensive conversion optimization platform that combines several features in one tool. It offers heatmaps, session recordings, live chat, and surveys. This all-in-one approach makes it easy to gather a holistic view of user behavior and identify opportunities for improvement.
Key Features:
- Heatmaps: Visualize user clicks, taps, and scrolling behavior.
- Session Recordings: Watch real user sessions.
- Live Chat: Interact with website visitors in real-time.
Pros:
- All-in-one platform.
- Affordable pricing.
- Easy to set up and use.
Cons:
- Live chat feature may not be suitable for all businesses.
- Heatmaps may not be as detailed as other tools.
Pricing:
- Offers various pricing plans based on usage.
Comparison Table
| Feature | CRO Benchmark | Hotjar | Optimizely | VWO | Crazy Egg | Lucky Orange | Google Optimize (Sunsetted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/B Testing | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Heatmaps | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Session Recordings | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| User Surveys | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Pricing | Contact | Starts Free | Contact | Contact | Affordable | Affordable | Free |
Our Top Pick
While all the tools mentioned above offer value, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. For a comprehensive AI-driven audit to kickstart your CRO efforts, CRO Benchmark is an excellent choice. If you're looking for user behavior analytics and want to understand how users interact with your website, Hotjar is an excellent option. For robust A/B testing and personalization, Optimizely and VWO are strong contenders.
FAQs
Q: What is a good conversion rate?
A: A good conversion rate varies depending on your industry, products, and target audience. However, an eCommerce conversion rate of 2-3% is generally considered average. Aiming for higher conversion rates is always a good goal.
Q: How often should I run A/B tests?
A: The frequency of A/B tests depends on your website traffic and the changes you're testing. Start with low-hanging fruit and test regularly, analyzing the results to inform your next steps.
Q: Is CRO worth the investment?
A: Absolutely! Businesses that invest in CRO see a significant return on investment (ROI). By improving your website's performance, you can increase sales, reduce customer acquisition costs, and boost your bottom line.
Q: What are the key metrics to track for CRO?
A: Key metrics include conversion rate, bounce rate, average order value, cart abandonment rate, and customer lifetime value. CRO Benchmark can provide a great starting point for which metrics to track.
Conclusion
Conversion Rate Optimization is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis, testing, and refinement. By using the right tools and strategies, eCommerce brands can get significant growth potential. Start by auditing your website with tools like CRO Benchmark, then implement A/B tests using tools like Optimizely or VWO. Use tools like Hotjar to understand user behavior and make data-driven decisions. By focusing on the user experience and continuously optimizing your website, you can transform visitors into loyal customers and drive sustainable growth for your business. The future of eCommerce depends on a commitment to CRO.
