A Split URL test compares two pages that live at different URLs. The question that decides whether it's the right tool: are you testing how a page looks, or which page a visitor should land on? If the variant is its own page — not a restyle of your theme, and not an alternate template of the same page — a Split URL test is the fit.
Not sure which type to run? See Which experiment should I run?
Examples
Campaign landing page vs a standard page — send ad traffic that would normally hit a collection to a curated, editorial landing page, and compare conversion.
A curated page vs the default collection grid — test a hand-merchandised shopping experience against Shopify's automatic grid.
A simplified or alternative product page — build a duplicate product with fewer options, and test whether the leaner page lifts conversion.
Two versions of an evergreen page — e.g. an About page, to see which builds more trust and drives more downstream purchases.
Page-builder layouts (PageFly, GemPages, Replo) — build each version at its own URL and pit them against each other; these can't be compared with a Template test.
A redesigned collection or category page — validate a new structure at a separate URL before you make it the permanent one.
When to use a different experiment instead
A different product page layout, hero section, or arrangement within your current theme → Template experiment
Header, footer, navigation, or store-wide colours and fonts → Theme experiment