Growth Suite
Solutions Pricing Growth Masters Partner Program
Try For Free
Expert Answer • 1 min read

What is my minimum detectable effect for typical traffic levels?

As an e-commerce business owner, I'm trying to understand the statistical significance of my conversion rate optimization (CRO) experiments. I need clarity on what minimum detectable effect (MDE) I can reliably measure given my current website traffic levels. Without understanding this, I might run A/B tests that are underpowered or inconclusive, wasting time and potentially making misguided decisions about my store's design and conversion strategies.
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO

1 min

TL;DR - Quick Answer

For typical Shopify stores with 5,000-20,000 monthly visitors, a minimum detectable effect of 10-15% is recommended. Smaller traffic requires larger effect sizes, while high-traffic stores can detect smaller improvements with statistical confidence.

Complete Expert Analysis

Minimum Detectable Effect (MDE) Calculation Guide

Understanding your Minimum Detectable Effect is crucial for running statistically valid conversion optimization experiments that drive meaningful business improvements.

Traffic Level MDE Breakdown

Monthly VisitorsTypical Conversion RateRecommended MDETest Duration
1,000 - 5,0001-2%20-30%4-6 weeks
5,000 - 20,0002-3%10-15%2-4 weeks
20,000 - 50,0003-4%5-10%1-2 weeks
50,000+4-5%2-5%7-10 days

Calculating Statistical Power

Key Variables

  • •Current Conversion Rate
  • •Expected Improvement
  • •Statistical Significance Level
  • •Statistical Power (typically 80%)

Recommended Significance Levels

  • •Conservative: 95% confidence
  • •Aggressive: 90% confidence
  • •Experimental: 80% confidence

Practical Example Calculation

Scenario

10,000 monthly visitors
Current conversion rate: 2.5%
Goal: Detect 12% improvement

Required Sample Size

Approximately 6,300 unique visitors per variant
Test duration: 3-4 weeks
Confidence interval: 95%

Optimize Testing with Growth Suite

Growth Suite simplifies A/B testing by automatically tracking visitor behavior, calculating statistical significance, and providing real-time insights into conversion rate experiments. The platform's advanced analytics help you understand your minimum detectable effect with precision, ensuring that every test provides actionable, statistically valid results without manual complex calculations.

New Strategy For Your Shopify Store

Turn This Knowledge Into Real Revenue Growth

Growth Suite transforms your Shopify store with AI-powered conversion optimization. See results in minutes with intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers.

+32% Conversion Rate

Average increase after 30 days

60-Second Setup

No coding or technical skills needed

14-Day Free Trial

No credit card required to start

Start Free Trial
Book a Demo Call →
GDPR Compliant
24/7 Support
Cancel Anytime
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO of Growth Suite

With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, Muhammed founded Growth Suite to help Shopify merchants maximize their conversion rates through intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers. His expertise in growth strategies and conversion optimization has helped thousands of online stores increase their revenue.

E-commerce Expert Shopify Partner Growth Strategist

Continue Learning

Discover more expert insights to accelerate your e-commerce growth

Browse All Questions