Google Analytics is a free web analytics tool.
It provides a wealth of information about your website.
Whenever someone tells me they need to improve their website’s performance, the first question I ask is “Do you have Google Analytics installed?”.
If the answer is “yes”, then we can review the information and decide what to do next. If the answer is “no”, and they don’t have another type of analytics tool already installed, I encourage them to get Google Analytics set up as soon as possible so that we have some data to work with.
Understand and improve your website’s performance
Follow the green links below to read articles about data from Google Analytics that will help you understand and improve your website.
Or, if you have time, get a comprehensive walkthrough by watching the video of my “Google Analytics 101” presentation from WordCamp Melbourne in February.
Getting Started
Not convinced you need analytics?
Find out Why You’ve Gotta Have a Website Monitoring Tool
Make sure your Account is set up the right way
Who really has control of your Google Analytics account?
Understand the terminology that’s used
Google Analytics Dashboard Walkthrough
Drilling Down on Information from the Dashboard
Find out if people in your target geographic location are visiting your website
Where are your web visitors located? Use the Google Analytics Map Overlay to find out
Understand where your web traffic is coming from to find out which website marketing activities are paying off
Know your Google Analytics Website Traffic Sources
Tracking Conversions
In order for you to get results, once they get to your website your visitors need to be motivated to act, such as making a purchase, signing up for your e-newsletter or submitting an enquiry.
Have Active Visitors Who Keep Coming Back
Goals allow you to track the actions that your web visitors take
Google Analytics – Go for Goals!
Keeping a regular eye on your Analytics
Monitor your Google Analytics account regularly so that you’ll know what impact your marketing (or lack of marketing!) has.
Set benchmarks for key statistics
How to set realistic targets for your website
You can get reports automatically emailed to you on a regular basis
Setting up Google Analytics Automated Web Reports
Google Analytics 101 Presentation from WordCamp Melbourne
Watch the vid to explore Google Analytics in more depth.
You’ll find out tips and tricks that took me years to learn!
Although Google Analytics provides an incredible amount of useful information, it doesn’t give insights into WHY your web visitors behave the way they do. To find out more about the WHY, it’s useful to get feedback about your website from your clients, prospects and subscribers.
Which features of Google Analytics do you like the most? Which do you need help with?
Leave a comment and let us know.
Until next time
Search-Mel
P.S. WordCamp is a conference for WordPress users. If you’re in the Melbourne area you can subscribe at the WordCamp Melbourne website to be kept informed about the next event, or check out conferences around the world at WordCamp Central.