Google Analytics: monitor and analyze your website traffic - Virtual Assistant Forums

Tess · #1 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

There are a zillion programs out there to help you track your site stats and better understand the traffic patterns on your website but only one runs in the background of your site with *no* silly badges or links to place on your site, is totally free, and is all encompassing: Google Analytics.

Google Analytics provides detailed information on everything from visitor numbers, traffic sources, visitor behavior and trends, to time spent on the site (even which pages and how long) plus quite a lot of other information about your users themselves: location, browser, etc.

It's very easy to install: you simply sign up for a free account and grab the bit of code provided, place it in the source code of your blog template of website and you're all set!

Google Analytics is a great, free program for anyone interested in learning more about how the surfing public is interacting with their site.

You can learn more about the program here and at the Google Analytics Blog, or sign up for an account here and get a more in-depth perspective on what's happening when someone accesses your website!

#2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009

Tess is right on! I have used Google Analytics for a few years now and it has more to offer than I have time to take advantage of. One very useful report item is the global map - you can see right down to the city, how many people have been to your site. It is simple and much easier to interpret than any of the others I have seen. I use it for client sites I have done as well which helps drive future business to me because I can talk about how to enhance certin pages that are not getting viewed.

Tess · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009

Good to know others are taking advantage of this free application!

It's also an ESSENTIAL tool for those who provide SEO services or want to track what's working when it comes to your own internet marketing efforts.

AngieGreen · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009

Absolutely, Tess. There's no point in using anything else!

TargetStars · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009

I absoultely LOVE Google Analytics! I really love the aspect of being able to track how well my marketing campaigns performed.

sharnatlanta · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009

Ditto!! I agree... Google Analytics is awesome. It's very informative with regard to where your traffic is coming from and how people are finding your site. And, it's easy to use as well as free! Can't beat that!