Google
Analytics is a free online service offered by Google that generates detailed statistics about visitors to a website.
Google
Analytics was modeled on the Urchin on Demand analytics program, which Google acquired in 2005. Users can track up to 50 of their own Web sites at no charge.
Although Google Analytics is a wonderful tool for any site, it is especially useful for site owners who run AdWords campaign. In fact, you can track and compare all your ads, email newsletters, affiliate campaigns, referrals, paid links, and keywords on Google and other search engines.To get started, simply sign up for an
account, and then paste the Google Analytics tracking code into each of your Website pages and tracking begins immediately. Some users find that the site''s performance suffers, but I haven''t found that to be the case.
Once your account is set up, you can define and track conversions, or goals. Goals might include sales, lead generation, viewing a specific page, or downloading a particular file. By using this tool, you can determine which ads are performing, and which are not, as well as find unexpected sources of quality visitors.
Google Analytics allows you to make your analysis as simple as possible, but as complex as you need. A dashboard presents the data you choose on your analytics front page. You can drill down for more in-depth data. There are currently over 80 distinct reports, each customizable to some degree.
To help users get the most out of their analytics, Google has produced a series of full-length presentations on advanced analytics, best practices, and other related topics. The videos are available on YouTube.