Tracking Website Traffic with Google Analytics

by Merle

Published on this site: February 6th, 2006 - See more articles from this month

In March of 2005,Google stepped in and purchased a software company named "Urchin". They made software which helped website owners track and analyze their site traffic. Rumors flew as to what Google had in store for their new found property.

Now they have renamed and released it as a free service, called "Google Analytics". Former Urchin users paid about two hundred dollars a month for something now being offers to millions of users at no charge.

So what is "Google Analytics" and why should you care? It's used to track site traffic and will tell you things like how many pages were viewed, keywords used to find your site, and what visitors do when visiting your website.

A single account can track up to 40 different websites. Not only can you track your Google Adwords campaigns, but all of your other online marketing programs too. Such as email ads, banner advertising and your other pay per click campaigns. It automatically imports your Adwords cost data so you can track the effectiveness of your Adwords campaign. This is powerful information and if you study it you'll find out what is and isn't working with your website, and your advertising campaigns.

Now before you disregard Analytics as a "freebie" service not worth your time and effort, think again. It's a full featured, powerful package with over 80 reports and many advanced features. It's easy to use even for a beginner marketer.

Google has also partnered with a third party design firm called "Zaaz" to give the option of a paid service with additional features such as behavioral analysis, accuracy audits, site optimization, A/B testing and other related services. They provide consulting, training and assist you in deciphering all of the information you get with Google Analytics. For more see...http://www.zaaz.com/default.asp?pageID=googleanalytics

If you already have a "Google Adwords" account you can sign up for Analytics from within the Adwords control panel. Just look for the "Analytics Tab". If you're not an Adwords user you can sign up at http://www.Google.com/analytics Unfortunately right now you'll have to wait. The service proved so popular shortly after the launch, new sign ups have been temporarily suspended. You can go to this page http://www.google.com/analytics/sign_up.html and leave your email address to be notified when Google begins taking on new customers again.

Once you're registered you'll be given some Java script code to paste onto the web pages you want to track. If you don't use Adwords you'll have to keep it under 5 million pageviews a month. If you're a small business that should be pretty easy to do. Adwords users are allowed unlimited page view tracking which is another benefit of being a Google pay per click user.

There's a lot of buzz online as to what Google will be doing with all of this new information they'll be collecting. Some good, some bad and those concerned with privacy believe you'll be letting Google know a bit too much about your business stats. Either way, you'll want to take a look at it. If you don't have a way to currently analyze your website traffic, this is definitely a serious package to consider. If you do have a service already in place and are paying a monthly fee, switching to Google Analytics will help decrease your monthly expenses an put more money back in your pockets where it belongs.

"Must Have Marketing Resources" by Merle is loaded with Valuable online resources you need to know about, when it comes to running your online business. Download your copy now at ... http://mcebook.mcpromotions.com