Using Google Analytics
After using one of Google’s newest services for about 6 weeks now, I figured I’d post some of my thoughts. Google Analytics provides a robust set of website statistics. So robust in fact that I don’t even know what to do with most of them.
Basic Statistics
Although I still use bbClone for my basic site statistics, the first thing I checked out were the comparable statistics provided by Google. The chart below for example gives a breakdown of visitors by browser used. While bbClone shows usage by browser, Google takes it a step further by showing the breakdown by version of the browser. Clicking on the plus sign next to the browser name on the screen below drills into the detail by version for that browser. There is also an additional report that show usage by browser combined with operating system.
Dashboards
The application comes with 3 preconfigured views. Each of the dashboard views is geared towards different types of people. Executive, Webmaster and Marketer views all show information pertinent to those roles. All of the reports are available at all times but the dashboard views group like reports together.
AdWords Statistics
This is kind of a bust for me since I don’t use AdWords on this site (or any for that matter) but if I did this would probably be nice. There is a wide variety of reporting on keywords and conversion rates for AdWords campaigns.
User Interface
The application has been easy to navigate driven by expandable menus on the left hand side of the screen. The charts have a nice on load effect which doesn’t provide much value but is pretty to watch nonetheless. Each bar chart has standard mouseover functions displaying the numerical data represented by the bars. Clicking on a bar will display the number on the chart until its refreshed. A detailed description of the chart is displayed below explaining the data thats being shown.
Overall Impression
The first thing to keep in mind was that Urchin provided a pretty complete application before Google got its hands on it. I’ve used it more now that Google has made it available at no charge so I can’t compare it to its predecessor too much.
In any case, as with all statistics application its always nice to amuse yourself by sifting through the variety of charts and tables. Google Analytics appears to provide a never ending fix for stats junkies. The wide range of data that can be graphed, sliced and diced is seemingly endless.
If anyone has found any particularly intriguing charts feel free to share.
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