This list contains the best books on conversion rate optimization written by experts. If you want to learn more about CRO or need a refresher course, these books are perfect.
Conversion rate optimization, or CRO, is a process that converts website or app visitors into customers or leads. Its goal is clear: increase the number of conversions, such as making a purchase, filling out a form, downloading content, etc. Every website and app should implement CRO to maximize the value of their existing traffic.
Ask yourself:
“How many of those people who visited my site bought the products or services I am offering?”
If the answer is zero or lower than expected, you need conversion rate optimization. You want to increase the conversion rate. If your business is only selling one item for every 1,000 visitors, it’s clear that something needs to change. This indicates that despite the high number of visitors, your site is not converting visitors into customers, which is a waste of bandwidth.
To maximize your return on investment (ROI), you must prioritize the objectives of your site and boost your sales or conversions. Learn the top secrets from CRO experts and apply the best practices. These top CRO books will inspire you to grow your business to the next level. These books are chosen from those I have read and top recommendations from my marketing friends. Read one or more of these books and take your online business to the next level.
Note: I began building this list in 2014 with the sole purpose of compiling only the best books on the subject.
Best Books on Conversion Rate Optimization for 2025
1. The Conversion Code: Stop Chasing Leads and Start Attracting Clients
by Chris Smith
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 • Released: 2022 • Pages: 288
This book is a must-have for real estate agents, SaaS companies, and any business looking to build a steady stream of quality clients. Master the latest digital channels to attract your ideal customers, produce valuable content consistently, bridge the gap between marketing and sales, and adapt to changing trends.
If you’re a small business owner, salesperson, or marketer, this book is essential for achieving results-driven marketing. This book contains testimonials from businesses that have adopted Smith’s strategies, increased revenue, and reduced customer acquisition costs.
Key Takeaways:
- The step-by-step guide to marketing and sales strategies in the book makes it worth reading.
- Helpful insights on generating high-quality leads through social media platforms.
- Impactful marketing and sales tactics to attract clients.
- Lessons on modern consumer privacy and lead conversion rate optimization.
2. Conversion Optimization
by Khalid Saleh & Ayat Shukairy
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 ⭐ • Released: 2010 • Pages: 268
This comprehensive guide establishes a solid foundation for CRO practices. I could read the author’s Conversion Framework process, used by optimization teams worldwide. Saleh and Shukairy explore the process of increasing conversion percentages without being hindered by excessive data or poor navigation. The book emphasizes the crucial role of customer research and analysis in identifying pain points and conversion barriers.
Key Takeaways:
- This book teaches how to analyze user behavior and improve website performance.
- Techniques for persona creation and guiding visitors through a seamless buying journey.
- Tactics to address customer fears, uncertainties, and doubts (FUDs) to boost trust and sales.
- Real-world case studies.
3. Behind The Click
Amazon rating: 4.9/5 • Released: 2024 • Pages: 276
A friend recommended this book. He explained that the book delves into hidden psychological forces that drive online consumer behavior. It’s about understanding human decision-making beyond conventional conversion rate optimization techniques. Then, I also read it.
Key Takeaways:
- Our brains when making purchasing decisions.
- Optimizing digital experiences from the first interaction to post-checkout.
- How companies anticipate customer needs and guide them to make a purchase.
- Principles of psychology that shape consumer behavior for building trust and engagement.
4. Opting in to Optimization
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 • Released: 2021 • Pages: 228
The e-commerce industry has seen an unparalleled level of growth. The differentiators for brands were once table stakes. Today’s companies must elevate their efforts to stand out and succeed.
R. Jon MacDonald has over a decade of experience working with globally recognized brands like Nike, Xerox, and Adobe. In this book, he distills his extensive knowledge into a concise and powerful read that will propel your company’s success. If you work at an ambitious eCommerce retailer and want to stay ahead in today’s competitive market environment, this is a must-read.
Key Takeaways:
- Advanced strategies for e-commerce sites.
- Why traditional “best practices” often fall short in modern e-commerce.
- Accelerating business growth without compromising customer experience.
5. Conversion Rate Optimization: Using Neuroscience And Data To Boost Web Conversions
by Dr Ali Nasser
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 • Released: 2019 • Pages: 173
This book will teach you proven techniques for navigating complex buyer journeys. Maximize your conversion rates to drive more traffic and clicks to your ad or site. Drive more views and traffic to convert into revenue.
Most digital marketers don’t focus on CRO, most of us do it, so they get no or poor performance of what they expected. This guide tackles the key challenges to achieving success head-on, offering practical solutions for each issue and exploring growth opportunities. The author presents a systematic approach to help you implement these techniques. You will learn how to gain knowledge and outperform the competition for any digital business.
Key Takeaways:
- Reveals why many conversion rate tests fail and what to do.
- The psychology behind consumer decisions and how we can use it.
- Strategies to improve landing page performance, user experience, and revenue generation.
- Lessons on personalization, A/B testing, and behavioral insights.
6. Kill Your Conversion Killers with The Dexter Method™
by Joris Bryon
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 • Released: 2018 • Pages: 250
If you’re running an e-commerce store, this book is a must-have. CRO expert Joris Bryon reveals how to swiftly prioritize tests and tap into the psychological drive to make prospects buy. You will learn to create friction-free design and UX, run practical A/B tests, avoid mistakes, and spot potential conversion killers.
This isn’t some theoretical tome; it’s a hands-on, action-oriented guide that provides a proven framework to systematically identify and eliminate the roadblocks of your conversions. You will learn to use website analytics and visitor feedback, develop your hypothesis about what’s causing conversion drops, run A/B tests, and analyze the test results to optimize your conversion funnel.
Whether you’re a seasoned e-commerce entrepreneur or just starting out, you’ll gain increased revenue and improved user experience, and make informed decisions based on real-world data.
Key Takeaways:
- A no-nonsense guide to e-commerce conversion optimization – its importance and practical application.
- Dexter Method™ for identifying and eliminating conversion blockers.
- Understanding psychological triggers that drive customers to buy, effective A/B testing strategies, and UX design best practices.
- Wrong practices that may harm conversion rates.
7. Making Websites Win
by Karl Blanks and Ben Jesson
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 • Released: 2017 • Pages: 352
Build your website for buyers. Customer-centric websites deliver profits. The award-winning author has a proven methodology for increasing conversion rates. Read it, and you’ll learn how successful business owners do things differently. You’ll also identify your site’s most significant opportunities and proven solutions for your business.
This book goes beyond basic conversion rate optimization (CRO) tactics. It introduces a customer-centric philosophy that will transform your website from a digital brochure into a customer magnet. You will learn to understand your customers, craft compelling value propositions, design user-centric experiences, and build trust and credibility.
I have read it. It will inspire you to double your sales growth, enhance user engagement, and improve customer lifetime value.
Key Takeaways:
- This book teaches how to fix CRO issues on websites.
- Proven strategies to optimize website profitability and customer satisfaction.
- Real-world case studies and expert methodologies about CRO.
- Techniques to identify and capitalize on your website’s biggest opportunities.
8. Landing Page Optimization
by Tim Ash, Maura Ginty, and Rich Page
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 • Released: 2012 • Pages: 496
This book is a must-have for anyone looking to optimize their landing pages. It’s packed with case studies that show real results and new insights on web usability. It covers how to prepare all types of content for testing, interpret results, recognize the seven common design mistakes, and use Google’s Website Optimizer tool.
This book serves as a comprehensive guide to landing page creation. You will learn design principles, layout, copywriting, and optimization best practices from the book.
Key Takeaways:
- Methods to test and optimize landing pages to boost conversions and profitability.
- Effective design strategies, neuromarketing techniques, and common optimization mistakes.
- The step-by-step approach to improving website usability and customer engagement is a must-read.
- Case studies, practical insights, and also a guide to using Google’s Website Optimizer tool.
9. You Should Test That
by Chris Goward
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 • Released: 2013 • Pages: 368
This book is a game-changer. It’s a combination of science and art, and it’s designed to turn visitors into buyers. Most readers recommend it. It will guide you through creating a strategy that supports your business goals. You will learn to use appropriate analytics tools, generate quality testing ideas, run online experiments, and make the adjustments that work.
If you’re new to CRO, this is the book for you. It focuses on data-driven decision-making and teaches you in a clear, actionable way.
Key Takeaways:
- Its strategic approach to conversion optimization made me read the entire book.
- Testing practices for various website elements—such as headlines, images, and navigation will help you maximize customer engagement and sales.
- Useful tips to analyze data, prioritize testing opportunities, and select which optimization methods to use.
- Conversion methods used by Google, Salesforce, and Electronic Arts.
10. Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited
by Steve Krug
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 • Released: 2013 • Pages: 216
This book is the go-to guide to web usability, simplifying the complexities of intuitive navigation and user experience design. Despite its age, it remains a go-to reference for designers and developers seeking to create user-friendly digital experiences. The updated edition offers fresh insights, new examples, and a dedicated chapter on mobile usability. It’s a must-read for CRO enthusiasts.
Key Takeaways:
- Websites should be designed to reduce cognitive load—users shouldn’t have to overthink navigation.
- A humorous and practical approach to web usability, an engaging read for both beginners and experts alike.
- Real-world examples and case studies on essential usability concepts.
Top CRO Training Courses & Services
| Conversion rate optimization courses (Udemy)
| CRO services (Fiverr)
Other helpful guides for further learning:
| Best books on copywriting
| Books on marketing psychology
| CRM books
| Marketing analytics books
| Books on web design
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Ibochouba Singh is a content writer and reviewer with a passion for writing about digital marketing and tech gadgets, including software tools and new tech gadgets. He has over 15 years of experience writing for several consumers and clients, including tech startups, marketing agencies, and software companies. He is writing many articles and product reviews for many websites, including nigcworld.com, buywin.in, medium.com, and quora.com.
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Great post! As a copywriter I believe these books could be very valuable to my business. Thanks!