What to use

Christopher Matthews · 10-04-2007, 12:00 PM

I am an Open Source guy, mostly because I am cheap, but some how being a proponent to Open Source puts a nicer ring on it! 

Any way, I am in need of more functionality from my web reporting.

I use pre-canned godaddy reports now but they are not doing what I need.

I would be interested in knowing more trend information, more about my visitors browsing patterns and to have an ACCURATE count of unique visitors, repeat visitors ect..

Is there any Open Source/Free ware anyone would suggest my using? Or if need be, any, ‘pay’ software I should consider. Could you please let me know how you’re using it and how it’s benefited you or your business.

Thank you,

Blame Me · 10-04-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Matthews

I am an Open Source guy, mostly because I am cheap, but some how being a proponent to Open Source puts a nicer ring on it! 

Any way, I am in need of more functionality from my web reporting.

I use pre-canned godaddy reports now but they are not doing what I need.

I would be interested in knowing more trend information, more about my visitors browsing patterns and to have an ACCURATE count of unique visitors, repeat visitors ect..

Is there any Open Source/Free ware anyone would suggest my using? Or if need be, any, ‘pay’ software I should consider. Could you please let me know how you’re using it and how it’s benefited you or your business.

Thank you,

Well I'm cheap too, the wife makes me do it...... honest guvnor

I have been using Google Analytics for all my needs and it gives you more info than you can possibly use.

Christopher Matthews · 10-04-2007, 02:49 PM

Nice! Thanks, I added it. Im going to have to realy play with this to make it work for me. Any good tutorials?

Blame Me · 10-05-2007, 06:56 AM

I didn't need any tutorials to get this on the road. It just did what it did and collated the info from your viewer. Very simple to use and if you do get stuck it comes with its own help/support pages

You can add a little bit more functionality to it if you use Adwords but I don't so I do not use that part of the setup.

scottdizzle · 10-05-2007, 09:33 PM

I always use statcounter for easy to view quick stats.. then Analytics as suggested above for intense stats

Razvan · 10-06-2007, 04:22 AM

You can also try www.reinvigorate.net

Christopher Matthews · 10-06-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blame Me

I didn't need any tutorials to get this on the road. It just did what it did and collated the info from your viewer. Very simple to use and if you do get stuck it comes with its own help/support pages

You can add a little bit more functionality to it if you use Adwords but I don't so I do not use that part of the setup.

The tutorials I am looking for are not necessarily how to use the tool, it's pretty straight forward as you suggest. However, to understand how to best use the information available with these types of stats to analyze and put to work the information I am receiving.

So possibly how do I incorporate the information I gather into my sites and is there anything I can do to structure my site to provide information about my visitors in the reported statistics?

Costin Trifan · 10-06-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razvan

You can also try www.reinvigorate.net

very interesting, Razvan!
Thanks!

scottdizzle · 10-08-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

However, to understand how to best use the information available

Well, I like seeing where people visit my site the most... then compare that to where visitors leave my pages the most... if you notice they are the same page.. do something to get their attention and keep them around before they leave. I guess what you want to find out is.. are people clicking around your pages or are they leaving right away?

pinkfluffybunny · 10-09-2007, 11:37 AM

Break down and purchase a good log reader or find a host that has webtrends or similar stats program. It will tell you tons more important information than the free services.

Example: You may be losing a lot of business and never see it (server errors, etc.). I have a client that loses 8% of their leads due to server errors. They have their own IT staff but they don't know how to maintain a server.

If you're not really serious, use a free service.

scottdizzle · 10-09-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

If you're not really serious, use a free service.

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that! But, I only have experience with the free services so you could be right.. I just know there are people producing free software, scripts, and free tracking programs that are very good just because they love to.

btw, how do you know it is exactly 8% and how come they don't try to fix it? If you know, they've gotta know! If my sites had errors I'd be pretty upset but I'm 99.9% sure they work 99.9% of the time in every way I desired.

redspace · 10-10-2007, 12:45 AM

i think google analytic can do that stuff. but you need to explore to it first and learn what most of the term means. i still get confusing with them. but not spending too much time on them yet. maybe later when when traffic a little big heavy.

scottdizzle · 10-10-2007, 02:50 AM

I feel the same way. it's kinda overwhelming all the options in there.. but I guess better more than enough tools than not enough

Christopher Matthews · 10-10-2007, 09:32 AM

I'd love to see a tutorial where someone's using the tool to improve traffic and analyze the results.

theawristocrat · 10-11-2007, 02:17 PM

google analytics is free