Which web counter do I believe?!?!

ewomack · 07-24-2007, 12:58 PM

Hello,

I recently changed ISPs and the account came with a web counter. Previously I used Stat Counter. After a month on the new ISP, I noticed that the ISPs web counter results were about 5 times higher than Stat Counter's. The ISP's counter claims that it does not include hits from bots, etc (it counts those too in a different chart). So what's the deal? Do I actually have more hits than I think? Or is something else going on?

What hit counters do people use to know your site's traffic?

Bluecircle · 07-24-2007, 04:46 PM

I use my own php logs, my web host's logs, statcounter, and Google analytics.

ewomack · 07-25-2007, 09:57 AM

Do their results vary greatly from one to another?

bizman · 07-25-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluecircle

I use my own php logs, my web host's logs, statcounter, and Google analytics.

Noticed there is a huge difference between web logs (ie Awstats) and Google analytics. Which one "believe" is the most correct one?

tdgac · 07-25-2007, 03:32 PM

It is confusing. We have three different ways of tracking and would like to believe that the cpanel stats are the most accurate of course or what would be the point?

I'd be interested in hearing more results from others, too.

Bluecircle · 07-25-2007, 05:03 PM

Well my php log records every ip on my website with a 24 hour unique timeframe. Statcounter and my php logs agree, while Google Analytics shows about 5-10% less?

ewomack · 07-25-2007, 07:45 PM

Strange... my StatCounter and CPanel counts differ by double digits. I can't find the difference...

bizman · 07-26-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewomack

Strange... my StatCounter and CPanel counts differ by double digits. I can't find the difference...

I experince more or less the same difference between analytics and awstats. Maybe many visitors blocks the analytics script on the web pages..?..

guinanie · 07-26-2007, 07:45 AM

Statcounter could give an accurate result.

labrocca · 07-26-2007, 10:07 PM

I prefer Google Analytics.

thegamerslink · 07-27-2007, 12:00 AM

Is definately the most accurate. That is the one I use and only one I believe in.

webprofession · 07-28-2007, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizman

Noticed there is a huge difference between web logs (ie Awstats) and Google analytics.

I have also experienced the same difference.

I prefer, Google analytics.

bizman · 07-28-2007, 12:35 PM

For analyzing the visitors I prefer Analytics too because its easier to spot trends, visitor details, and so on. In addition I check stats in webmaster tools and Adsense. But I think Awstats are more accurate about the number of visits. Suspect that visitors block javascript codes and therefor Analytics don't register many/few (?) visits.

Mihai · 07-30-2007, 04:13 AM

I recommend Google Analytics, even if I personally use a combination of AWstats and Google Analytics.

Brazzell Marketing · 08-06-2007, 08:51 PM

I've noticed that Statcounter has little bugs here and there that can occassionally count the same person as multiple visits. For an advertising supported service, I am very happy with it overall.

Bluecircle · 08-06-2007, 10:36 PM

I wrote a blog post on the differences I see in website traffic counters. I showed a few examples and I really don't know what to think. I'd go with the php logs I use directly on my site.

Malok · 08-12-2007, 07:12 AM

I like Google Analytics.