Install the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App

  • Updated
This topic describes how to:
  • Decide whether to use the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App (instead of using Optimizely Experimentation on the web)
  • Download and install the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App
  • Troubleshoot issues and get support for the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App

The Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App runs natively on your computer (Windows, macOS). It is an application that allows you to use Optimizely outside your browser. The Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App can help make the experience of editing experiments and campaigns faster and more consistent.

web-editor.png
Use it to solve issues such as: 

  • Loading your site in the Visual Editor

  • Loading dynamic elements like AJAX content or single-page applications

  • Logged-in or experiences requiring cookies, such as a shopping cart

The Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App delivers the same content as the Optimizely web application in a simple wrapper that loads on your desktop.

Download the app here:

Install the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App

  1. Click to download:

       For a macOS (.dmg file, preferred over the Windows app)
       For a Windows machine (.exe file)

  2. Find the file on your machine and double-click to install.

  3. Enter your Optimizely Experimentation email and password to log in.

    app_login_screen.png

That is it! The Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App opens your Optimizely Experimentation dashboard, where everything should look familiar.

When to use the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App

In general, the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App improves overall speed and responsiveness. Use it to load your website in the Visual Editor quickly and reliably.

Use the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App

Use the Optimizely Experimentation Web Application

  • Your website does not load or loads slowly in the Visual Editor—or only part of the site loads (for example, the HTML loads but not the CSS or images)

  • Your website has dynamic elements that update after the page loads, like AJAX content or single-page applications

  • Code on your website prevents iFrame loading, popups, or automatically navigates away from Optimizely

  • You want to build tests on staging sites which fail to load in the web application

  • You use logged-in or cookied experiences and need to edit a session-specific page, like a shopping cart

  • Your website strips out query parameters that are required to run the Visual Editor

  • You are using a computer that you do not want to install software on

  • You like to use multiple web browser tabs when you work with Optimizely

Troubleshooting

The Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App does not automatically refresh when others change your Optimizely Experimentation projects and experiments. We are working on a solution, but you will need to reload the Desktop App to ensure you are working with the latest updates. To reload the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App, press Ctrl+R on a PC or Command+Ron a Mac.

For help with the Optimizely Experimentation Desktop App, get in touch with your Optimizely Success Manager (CSM) or file a support ticket.