In the past we've received a lot of feedback from our users who have implemented the _setVar method requesting that custom visitor segments not affect bounce rates. You've asked for it and we've listened! Today we're modifying this feature so that the _setVar method no longer counts as an interaction hit with the result that you may see higher bounce rates and more accurate time on page metrics in your reports.
As a refresher, Google Analytics calculates bounces and durations based upon interaction hits. Now, interaction hits will only include pageviews, events, transactions and experiments (such as with Google Website Optimizer). Here's more on how this change to the _setVar method could affect your data:
Higher bounce rates in your reports
Let's say that you've used the _setVar method on your landing pages to segment member vs. non-member site visitors. Previously, if a visitor came to your site and triggered the _setVar call, but viewed only one page, this would not be counted as a bounce. With this change the user defined call will not send an interaction hit and overall bounce rates will increase as this single page visit will now be counted as a bounce.
More accurate time on page metrics
Time on page metrics are normally counted by the difference in time stamps which are set by interaction hits. Prior to this change, using _setVar would cause Google Analytics to calculate the time on page metric between the time of the pageview hit and the interaction hit of the user defined variable. Now, as user-defined hits are no longer counted as an interaction hit, time on page metrics should more accurately reflect the time between one pageview and the next.
Kamis, 29 Januari 2009
Selasa, 27 Januari 2009
Mastering Motion Charts - Trend Analysis
Motion Charts make it possible for you to perform both high-level analysis (such as identifing long-term trends) and targeted analysis (aimed at gauging the impact of a specific change or event).
In today's post, we'll focus on identifying trends. Here are some examples of high-level trends you might want to examine using motion charts:
When to use a motion chart instead of just a graph
A standard graph shows data across two dimensions, (X-axis and Y-axis). On the other hand, Motion Charts let you look at data across up to five dimensions (X-axis, Y-axis, Color, Size and Time). If you're having flashbacks to high school math class, don't panic! Let's look at an example. We'll use Motion Charts to spot a trend of increasing visits from users of Internet Explorer on the Windows operating system.
Example: Spotting a trend in the Browser / OS Report
Start by navigating to the Browser and OS Report.
Next, click the "Visualize" button at the top of the report.
We'll select Visits for the X-axis, and % New Visits for the Y-axis. The chart loads a view of the data for the first day of the period. Notice that the bubble for Internet Explorer/Windows starts well on the left side of the chart:
After clicking play, the chart begins to change. Midway through the period, the "Internet Explorer / Windows" bubble has moved and now hovers near the middle of the chart. The other bubbles stay to the left, showing that the increase is not a trend across all the browser/OS combinations.
By the last days of the period being charted, the Internet Explorer / Windows bubble has moved to hover in the far right corner, representing a substantial increase in both Visits and % New Visits.
Thanks to the Motion Chart, this trend was easy to spot. Here's the real question though, what do you do with an observation like this?
In today's post, we'll focus on identifying trends. Here are some examples of high-level trends you might want to examine using motion charts:
- How the value of a keyword changes over time
- How targeting traffic from a channel improves (or decreases) the quality of your visitors over time
- How landing page optimization affects visitor behavior
- How engagement metrics relate to your conversion rate
- How your visitor profile changes over time
A standard graph shows data across two dimensions, (X-axis and Y-axis). On the other hand, Motion Charts let you look at data across up to five dimensions (X-axis, Y-axis, Color, Size and Time). If you're having flashbacks to high school math class, don't panic! Let's look at an example. We'll use Motion Charts to spot a trend of increasing visits from users of Internet Explorer on the Windows operating system.
Example: Spotting a trend in the Browser / OS Report
Start by navigating to the Browser and OS Report.
Next, click the "Visualize" button at the top of the report.
We'll select Visits for the X-axis, and % New Visits for the Y-axis. The chart loads a view of the data for the first day of the period. Notice that the bubble for Internet Explorer/Windows starts well on the left side of the chart:
After clicking play, the chart begins to change. Midway through the period, the "Internet Explorer / Windows" bubble has moved and now hovers near the middle of the chart. The other bubbles stay to the left, showing that the increase is not a trend across all the browser/OS combinations.
By the last days of the period being charted, the Internet Explorer / Windows bubble has moved to hover in the far right corner, representing a substantial increase in both Visits and % New Visits.
Thanks to the Motion Chart, this trend was easy to spot. Here's the real question though, what do you do with an observation like this?
- The project manager may budget additional time for quality testing in Internet Explorer vs other browsers due to the change.
- The marketing manager may use the insight to refine his or her understanding of the audience for the site, adjusting the sales copy to match known preferences of Windows users.
- The advertising manager may conclude that the company's new Mac-focused campaign was actually reaching the wrong audience and adjust accordingly.
- Focus on those bubbles that move more gradually. Often these are the bubbles based on the largest amount of data and are less likely to be thrown off by random, one-time occurrences.
- Use the trails feature to visualize a bubble's path across time steps. You can turn on trails by hitting the "Trails" checkbox shown below.
- Change your timescale from days to weeks when looking for longer-term trends. To change the time-scale on your motion chart, navigate back to the report you want to visualize, select the middle button next to the “Graph by” label on the upper-right hand corner of the graph and then click "Visualize" to return to the motion chart.
- Focus on trends that let you take action. If you're easily able to make adjustments to your advertising mix but not your sales copy, then you may want to start your analysis by looking at keyword trends and campaign performance rather than landing page optimization.
- Check out some of the other resources on Motion Charts to sharpen your skills:
What do you use motion charts for?
Have you ever used motion charts to spot a keyword or site usage trend? Add a comment and tell us about it!
Have you ever used motion charts to spot a keyword or site usage trend? Add a comment and tell us about it!
Senin, 26 Januari 2009
Seminars for Success in Atlanta, February 17 & 18
We're pleased to announce that a Google Analytics Seminar for Success is coming to Atlanta on Tuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18. Seats are limited so be sure to register right away! Here's the run-down:
Day 1 - Business Insights: Delivered from an analyst's perspective, Day 1 will focus on what reports to look at and why. You'll also find out about performance indicators that can alert you of potential problems. Day 1 also covers the latest Google Analytics tools: Advanced Segmentation, Custom Reports and Motion Charts.
Topics Include:
Topics Include:
Day 1 - Business Insights: Delivered from an analyst's perspective, Day 1 will focus on what reports to look at and why. You'll also find out about performance indicators that can alert you of potential problems. Day 1 also covers the latest Google Analytics tools: Advanced Segmentation, Custom Reports and Motion Charts.
Topics Include:
- Introduction to web analytics
- Website testing with Google Website Optimizer
- Google Analytics reporting features
- Sharing Google Analytics data
- Custom dashboards
- Understanding site visitors
- Tracking online marketing campaigns
- Evaluating site content and user navigation
- Understanding goals and conversion funnels
Topics Include:
- Google Analytics architecture overview
- Learning about regular expressions
- Improving your data with filters
- Setting up goals and funnels
- Implementing e-commerce tracking
- Configuring custom segmentation
- Introduction to event tracking
- Tracking websites with multiple domains/subdomains
- Code customization
Day Two
Web 2 and 3:
Open your HTML book to project 1: Chiarevelle Pizza. This was a very simple code. As a HTML review I would like you to take this project and update it. Incorporate codes from later chapters such as tables, frames, image maps, etc... Possibly include a video as well. Do only as much as you can complete in two class periods.Save to W Drive -- Class projects when done (bschneiderday1)
Web 4:
Choose ONE of your first projects (ball tossing, man walking, etc...) and update it using codes you learned last semester. Save both the old and new versions so we can compare.Jumat, 23 Januari 2009
9 Steps to Becoming an Analytics Emperor
What kind of analytics user are you? Our Analytics Evangelist, Avinash Kaushik, has created a "Nine-Point Checklist of Analytics Awesomeness" to help you find out. Are you an Emperor or a Newbie?
You'll need to have mastered all 9 of the below to call yourself Emperor. If you're doing less than 3, you're still a Newbie.
9. Get external context to your performance (benchmarking)
8. Internal site search baby! Rock it!
7. Search, organic, get good at it
6. Landing pages, landing pages, landing pages
5. Goals, goals, goals (& goal values)
4. Enable deep e-commerce tracking and analysis
3. Your only true analytics BFF: bounce rate
2. Powerfully leverage custom reports
1. Give me segmentation or give me death!
Want to hear more on the above? Check out Avinash's post on Deeper Analysis & Insights for the full story. Worth a good weekend read and could be your ticket to Analytics Emperordom!
9. Get external context to your performance (benchmarking)
8. Internal site search baby! Rock it!
7. Search, organic, get good at it
6. Landing pages, landing pages, landing pages
5. Goals, goals, goals (& goal values)
4. Enable deep e-commerce tracking and analysis
3. Your only true analytics BFF: bounce rate
2. Powerfully leverage custom reports
1. Give me segmentation or give me death!
Want to hear more on the above? Check out Avinash's post on Deeper Analysis & Insights for the full story. Worth a good weekend read and could be your ticket to Analytics Emperordom!
New Semester
I wanted to say hello and to give a brief overview of some things we will be learning this semester. It is odd for me to write this today. I have looked at my class and know only a handful of you. I do not know what type of work you have created in the past. However, I am certain that I will push you to create, analyze, and innovate. I will ask you to do your best every day.
What will we cover?
Web 2 (Dreamweaver): This is the 2nd level class. In this class you will learn more advanced techniques using the Dreamweaver program. We hope to incorporate work in animation and image manipulation as well. There will be a significant emphasis and collaborating with classmates and with people around the world.
Web 3 (Flash+): This the 3rd leavel class for students who completed Web 1 and Web 2. Your focus will largely be on creation and design. What makes an effective, usable website?
Web 4 (Project Based): We will enter the ThinkQuest competition as our 2nd semester project. This class is entirely project/studio based.
We will begin today with some general work getting our folders and computer set-up. We will also discuss some general ideas about the class and how we operate. Appropriate use will start all of this off. We will review the rules for Internet use in the school.
Today I also hope to get all students set-up with an iGoogle page. This will be your homepage and will contain your calendars, notebook, bookmarks, and assorted other widgets. I think it will increase your productivity to have all your information in one screen, accessible from any computer, and you can share this information.
Why is that last part most important? Lets say you are all in AP History. If you create ONE calendar and share it then you do not have to individually enter assignments, it only has to be typed in by one person. In addition you can discuss and comment on any item ("What do you think will be on the test?...."). We will work on how to use these tools effectively.
This all relates to our Standard 2 and Standard 6 of the ISTE standards: Collaboration and Communication andTechnology Operations and Concepts. We want you to understand the basics of how to set up an account, how to manipulate it, and how to share this information. I will assess this by observing that you post the correct information and log-in effectively.
I will probably adapt many of these items as we move through the day. This is always a work in progress.
Kamis, 22 Januari 2009
New Video: See what people are searching for on your site and act on it!
Adding a search box to your site not only offers your visitors an important ease-of-use feature, but provides you, the site owner, with powerful insight into what your visitors really expect from your site. If you don't have a search box on your site, you might consider using the Google Custom Search Engine (both free and paid versions are available). If you already have a search box, make sure that you're tracking visitor search activity.
We want to show you the many ways to take immediate action on the data in this report, so we've added a video on tracking internal Site Search to our "Google Analytics in 60 Seconds" series. You can view the video below and learn more about how to make effective use of the internal Site Search information in this article, Five Questions to Ask of Your Site Search Data.
We want to show you the many ways to take immediate action on the data in this report, so we've added a video on tracking internal Site Search to our "Google Analytics in 60 Seconds" series. You can view the video below and learn more about how to make effective use of the internal Site Search information in this article, Five Questions to Ask of Your Site Search Data.
Rabu, 21 Januari 2009
Tracking Google Sites with Analytics
It only makes sense that Analytics should be able to track sites created by another Google product, Google Sites. Google Sites is an easy-to-use online application to make team websites. Multiple users can collaborate on editing the site at once online, and it's all hosted by Google for free.
Installing the tracking code for your Google Sites website requires just a few simple steps. After creating a new account and profile for your website within Analytics, another JavaScript code snippet will be generated with a new tracking ID for your site (the tracking ID from within the code snippet is always in this format: UA-XXXXXXX-XX). You can just paste the new tracking ID into your Google Sites settings page under Other Stuff > Statistics.
Once you set up Analytics for your Google Site website, you'll have to remember to apply the code to all the existing and future pages for your website. For full instructions on configuring your site with Analytics, please follow these instructions.
Installing the tracking code for your Google Sites website requires just a few simple steps. After creating a new account and profile for your website within Analytics, another JavaScript code snippet will be generated with a new tracking ID for your site (the tracking ID from within the code snippet is always in this format: UA-XXXXXXX-XX). You can just paste the new tracking ID into your Google Sites settings page under Other Stuff > Statistics.
Once you set up Analytics for your Google Site website, you'll have to remember to apply the code to all the existing and future pages for your website. For full instructions on configuring your site with Analytics, please follow these instructions.
Selasa, 20 Januari 2009
Join the Discussion... with Comments
In the spirit of New Year's resolutions, one of ours is to work even harder in 2009 to hear what you have to say. My resolution to work out more frequently at the gym has already gone out the window (the Golden Globes took precedence last week), but I promise that listening to you is a resolution we'll follow through on! To help kick things off, here are a few ways you can get your questions answered and provide feedback to the Google Analytics team.
- As of today, you can post comments on new features and developments directly in the blog
- For support questions or more in-depth conversations, use the help forum
- For feature requests, you can use this form
- To get hands-on implementation support, speak to an Authorized Consultant
- Lastly, to share best practices, key learnings or case studies, email ga-feedback [at] google [dot] com (no support questions please)
Jumat, 16 Januari 2009
The short answer is.. you don't have to change your snippet
If you've added a profile recently to your account or read a help article that discusses the tracking code, you may have noticed an addition to the tracking code snippet. You do not need to change the tracking code in your existing pages, although doing so will add a layer of functionality that I'll explain in a minute. Here is the updated snippet, with the additions in bold.
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-50020-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>
So why the change? Adding the try and catch to the snippet removes the possibility that your visitor sees a JavaScript message that doesn't apply to her. It's a fairly rare occurrence because messages like these (frequently in the form of an alert box) can only appear if JavaScript messaging has been enabled on the browser. Most browsers have JavaScript messaging turned off by default, but sometimes people unintentionally turn it on. For those visitors who have enabled messaging, the try and catch will have the effect of halting any messages from the Google Analytics tracking code snippet.
As a best practice, we're including the try and catch in the snippet and updating our help materials to reflect this change.
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-50020-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>
So why the change? Adding the try and catch to the snippet removes the possibility that your visitor sees a JavaScript message that doesn't apply to her. It's a fairly rare occurrence because messages like these (frequently in the form of an alert box) can only appear if JavaScript messaging has been enabled on the browser. Most browsers have JavaScript messaging turned off by default, but sometimes people unintentionally turn it on. For those visitors who have enabled messaging, the try and catch will have the effect of halting any messages from the Google Analytics tracking code snippet.
As a best practice, we're including the try and catch in the snippet and updating our help materials to reflect this change.
Kamis, 15 Januari 2009
Exams
To finish exam:
Internet Literacy:
- Here is the vocabulary section for the Internet Literacy Class. Click Here.
- Print out (4700 printer) the memo.
- Save folder of Schneiderland website to UDrive.
Web 2/3:
- Save folder of website to UDrive.
Analytics Training in Las Vegas Next Week
What happens in Vegas.. doesn't have to stay in Vegas. At least not when you're going there to attend the Google Analytics and Website Optimizer Seminars for Success! Spend one to three days learning about Google Analytics and Google Website Optimizer. Come back armed with best practices and tips from the experts on how to use them to improve your business.
These courses are ideal for marketers, web designers, web analysts and anyone who wants to improve their online business savvy.
Introductory Course- Wednesday, January 21
The introduction and user training course is designed to provide a high-level overview of the products and will cover key features and reports. It's perfect for a marketer or account manager who is interested in learning more about how Google Analytics works, and who wants to understand how to use the information in reports to make decisions.
Advanced Course - Thursday, January 22
The advanced and technical implementation course is for those who need hands-on implementation training. This is a great class for those of you who need to install and set up Google Analytics on sites. You'll learn about and discuss different ways to set up Google Analytics to get the types of information that you need.
Google Website Optimizer - Friday, January 23
Learn how to make landing page testing work for you. You will hear from the experts on using Google Website Optimizer and testing the pages of your website to find out what works best for your visitors. Best practices will be covered, and you will leave with real hands-on experience running A/B/N and multivariate tests using Google Website Optimizer!
Capacity is limited. Register now: http://services.google.com/ads_inquiry/awseminars
We look forward to seeing you there!
These courses are ideal for marketers, web designers, web analysts and anyone who wants to improve their online business savvy.
Introductory Course- Wednesday, January 21
The introduction and user training course is designed to provide a high-level overview of the products and will cover key features and reports. It's perfect for a marketer or account manager who is interested in learning more about how Google Analytics works, and who wants to understand how to use the information in reports to make decisions.
Advanced Course - Thursday, January 22
The advanced and technical implementation course is for those who need hands-on implementation training. This is a great class for those of you who need to install and set up Google Analytics on sites. You'll learn about and discuss different ways to set up Google Analytics to get the types of information that you need.
Google Website Optimizer - Friday, January 23
Learn how to make landing page testing work for you. You will hear from the experts on using Google Website Optimizer and testing the pages of your website to find out what works best for your visitors. Best practices will be covered, and you will leave with real hands-on experience running A/B/N and multivariate tests using Google Website Optimizer!
Capacity is limited. Register now: http://services.google.com/ads_inquiry/awseminars
Google is stopping development of Google Notebook. It seems that it will still be available to current users. Should we switch to another service? You might want to check out Evernote or Zoho Notebook.
Rabu, 14 Januari 2009
Announcing the Winners of the Website Workout Contest
Last April, we gave you a few tips on using Website Optimizer and Google Analytics to improve your business online. As a follow-up, we announced the Website Workout contest last June. Four businesses were selected to improve their conversion rates using the data they gained from Website Optimizer.
The results are in! Find out how the winners improved their conversion rates here. I think you'll be surprised how a small change can make a big difference. For more information on how to optimize your site, check out the Website Optimizer Blog.
The results are in! Find out how the winners improved their conversion rates here. I think you'll be surprised how a small change can make a big difference. For more information on how to optimize your site, check out the Website Optimizer Blog.
Final Exam
Here it is:
Exams are due at the end of your designated exam period. Exams are worth 1/5 of your semester grade. Good luck!
Selasa, 13 Januari 2009
Exam Prep
Tomorrow we will begin our exam. It is designed to take you about 2-3 hours of class time. Why do we have an exam?
1. Assess the students progress. Has the student mastered the skills required?
2. Assess the class/teacher progress. Has the class "missed" something? Does one class get it and the other doesn't? This is the data I analyze.
3. Compare this years class to previous years. Have the different methods and procedures I have used improved the class performance?
This is why I need everyone to take the exam and to do your best. I appreciate your effort and I am actually excited (believe it or not) to see what each of you produce.
Some reminders on what you need to be able to do (possible review points today??):
Internet Literacy:
1. Basic HTML set-up.
2. Insert images. Link pages. Create tables.
3. Create usable, accessible page.
4. Utilize basic tools (moviemaker, voki, google forms, etc...).
Web 2:
1. Create and manage a site.
2. Basic layout (without templates).
3. Insert images. Link pages. Create tables.
4. Create usable, accessible page.
5. Create citation page.
6. Create basic Flash documents.
7. Create an image map.
Web 3:
1. Create a basic Flash document.
2. Utilize buttons.
3. Insert sound.
4. Create usable, accessible page.
1. Assess the students progress. Has the student mastered the skills required?
2. Assess the class/teacher progress. Has the class "missed" something? Does one class get it and the other doesn't? This is the data I analyze.
3. Compare this years class to previous years. Have the different methods and procedures I have used improved the class performance?
This is why I need everyone to take the exam and to do your best. I appreciate your effort and I am actually excited (believe it or not) to see what each of you produce.
Some reminders on what you need to be able to do (possible review points today??):
Internet Literacy:
1. Basic HTML set-up.
2. Insert images. Link pages. Create tables.
3. Create usable, accessible page.
4. Utilize basic tools (moviemaker, voki, google forms, etc...).
Web 2:
1. Create and manage a site.
2. Basic layout (without templates).
3. Insert images. Link pages. Create tables.
4. Create usable, accessible page.
5. Create citation page.
6. Create basic Flash documents.
7. Create an image map.
Web 3:
1. Create a basic Flash document.
2. Utilize buttons.
3. Insert sound.
4. Create usable, accessible page.
Senin, 12 Januari 2009
Blocked, Blocked, Blocked
I'm trying to figure out how to get the video to play. I thought it had been unblocked.
TED and Games
Theo Jansen: Freaky. Mind-blowing. But pay attention. What is life? Can you make something that lives out of PVC pipe? He does. Cyborg alert!
Wear your headphones.
When done check out the educational games and simulations. Can you find any other quality games?
- 3rD World Farming: Can you succeed as a farmer?
- 3D Architecture: Can you build a successful house.
- Tall Buildings: Super-cool site about tall buildings
- Power Play: Can you build a better mousetrap?
- Check out the Ayiti game.
- The Redistricting Game Can you rig your district?
- And finally we will review the game Darfur is Dying.
Kamis, 08 Januari 2009
Eyes on the Prize with Custom Reports
We've been taking an in-depth look at some of the new enterprise-class features that were recently launched in Google Analytics, and we're proud to present the next installment. This one relates to Custom Reports.
Custom Reports are like super reports. You can spend literally five minutes building one and feel like you've just built your own metrics dashboard. Building a tailored report is easy and it feels great! It means quicker access to the information you care about, less data overload, and easy sharing with colleagues. Let's dig into some of the details.
A few quick definitions
So, you're going to be building your report by columns and rows, just like a regular report. What do you want to put in the columns and rows? We've classified everything in Google Analytics in two ways: Metrics or Dimensions. In truth, you don't need to really understand the difference, because every data point is easy to find on the left of the custom report building screen. But a rich understanding always helps, so here's an explanation:
How to create a custom report
1) Navigate to the custom report page.
2) Build your report
We put together this video to give you step by step instructions on how to create your first custom report.
For more detailed instructions on how to build a report, visit the help center.
When to use custom reports
Custom reports are most useful when you have to combine metrics and dimensions that are not combined in other standard reports, or when you want to simplify an existing report by removing data that's not relevant. Here are some of the things that custom reports let you do.
You can choose any metric to build your custom report with. You also don't have to pair them with dimensions, which means there are no restrictions to which metrics you can use. However, when they are paired with dimensions, metrics are subject to certain restrictions. Please see this chart to understand which metric and dimension pairings are possible when designing a custom report.
Share your reports with the world
What do you use custom reports for? Send us an email and let us know! Be sure to send some screenshots. Happy reporting!
Custom Reports are like super reports. You can spend literally five minutes building one and feel like you've just built your own metrics dashboard. Building a tailored report is easy and it feels great! It means quicker access to the information you care about, less data overload, and easy sharing with colleagues. Let's dig into some of the details.
A few quick definitions
So, you're going to be building your report by columns and rows, just like a regular report. What do you want to put in the columns and rows? We've classified everything in Google Analytics in two ways: Metrics or Dimensions. In truth, you don't need to really understand the difference, because every data point is easy to find on the left of the custom report building screen. But a rich understanding always helps, so here's an explanation:
Metric (columns)
Dimension (rows)
How to create a custom report
1) Navigate to the custom report page.
2) Build your report
We put together this video to give you step by step instructions on how to create your first custom report.
For more detailed instructions on how to build a report, visit the help center.
When to use custom reports
Custom reports are most useful when you have to combine metrics and dimensions that are not combined in other standard reports, or when you want to simplify an existing report by removing data that's not relevant. Here are some of the things that custom reports let you do.
- COMBINE METRICS FROM MULTIPLE REPORTS - Custom Reports let you group together whichever metrics and dimensions you find most relevant. This lets you go beyond standard reports to compare data from multiple areas of GA all in one place. This means less switching from one report to another and more flexibility in how you analyze your data.
Example: An outdoor sporting goods store places a heavy emphasis on paid search to drive e-commerce transactions, and uses the AdWords Campaigns report often. When it comes time to share reports among their internal teams, they currently do multiple exports in order to incorporate metrics from the Site Usage, E-Commerce and Clicks tabs all in one view. With custom reports, however, they can drag and drop the metrics they'd like to see from each tab and perform a single export into Excel in order to share their data with team members.
- CREATE RELEVANT DRILLDOWNS - By making use of multiple sub-dimensions in custom reports, you can create a report that drills down up to five levels deep, in whatever order you choose. This lets you easily break visitor behavior into workable segments, with more precision than ever.
Example: Cross Country Inc., a major transportation and logistics company, uses Google Analytics to track advertising campaigns spanning many channels including print ads, banners and pay-per-click ads. For the sake of consistency, Cross Country has chosen to use one universal campaign name, "TruckerRecruitment," that includes six unique acquisition channels (PPC, Print Ads, Banner Ads etc.)
The agency managing the placement and measurement of these recruitment ads needs to report back to Cross Country's management team on their performance, but when they navigate to the "Campaigns" report, they can only drill down one level (done by choosing a value in the "dimension" dropdown).
But wait! By using custom reports, the agency can now arrange drilldowns up to five levels deep, in whatever order they choose. This now makes it easy to show Cross Country how their Spanish-language print ads in Los Angeles did vs their Spanish-language banner ads in Chicago and optimize their spend accordingly.
- SIMPLIFY REPORTS TO SHARE WITH COLLEAGUES - If you need to share data with teammates that may not work closely with Google Analytics, you can use the tab feature in custom reports to create specific tabs for individual people or job functions. This lets your colleagues see only the data relevant to their activities and helps cut down on confusion and data-overload.Example: National Pizza has a wide range of online marketing campaigns that it uses Google Analytics to track and monitor. Several people within the organization regularly log in to Google Analytics in order to check on the performance of different campaigns. Now the webmaster can create a custom report with one tab for each of her colleagues. Each colleague gets a custom view with only the data relevant to his or her activities.
You can choose any metric to build your custom report with. You also don't have to pair them with dimensions, which means there are no restrictions to which metrics you can use. However, when they are paired with dimensions, metrics are subject to certain restrictions. Please see this chart to understand which metric and dimension pairings are possible when designing a custom report.
Share your reports with the world
What do you use custom reports for? Send us an email and let us know! Be sure to send some screenshots. Happy reporting!
Scramble
I am scrambling to get things done. I am moving fast on exam information and will have that tomorrow. I have to eliminate one component because of the time we have missed. I also need to have all of your grades. Several of you have not turned in a project (all grades posted on Edline). Last chance.
The importance of being able to write a coherent memo cannot be overstated. Today we will focus on the one page memo. You must be able to synthesize ideas and summarize them in a format easily read by both bosses and colleagues. This takes practice. A lot of practice.
The topic today might seem a bit odd; its you! I want you to write this memo to yourself. The topic? What skills must you learn in order to be competitive, productive, and happy in the 21st century world?
Be sure to follow the format and really, really organize your thoughts (Someone will ask--how long is the one page memo?) Post to blog when done. This is your final assignment. If you don't finish today please submit tonight for homework as we will probably start the exam work tomorrow.
The importance of being able to write a coherent memo cannot be overstated. Today we will focus on the one page memo. You must be able to synthesize ideas and summarize them in a format easily read by both bosses and colleagues. This takes practice. A lot of practice.
The topic today might seem a bit odd; its you! I want you to write this memo to yourself. The topic? What skills must you learn in order to be competitive, productive, and happy in the 21st century world?
Be sure to follow the format and really, really organize your thoughts (Someone will ask--how long is the one page memo?) Post to blog when done. This is your final assignment. If you don't finish today please submit tonight for homework as we will probably start the exam work tomorrow.
Senin, 05 Januari 2009
GAAC Attack: Year-End Fun for Google Analytics Pros
2008 was an amazing year for the Google Analytics Authorized Consultants (GAACs). These guys are experts with Google Analytics, providing excellent service in areas such as installation, consultation and training. They're located all across the US, which means you can probably find one near you.
We really like hearing from GAACs because they eat, live and breathe GA every day. Once a year, we invite them to Google for an event called the Google Analytics and Website Optimizer Authorized Consultant Summit (GAAWOACS for short... just kidding). This past December over 200 participants from more than 30 countries attended. Vint Cerf keynoted and we had four days full of product information on Google Analytics, Website Optimizer and Urchin delivered by our Product Management team, plus case studies, networking and oh yeah.. lots of food and drinks.
We're not sure who looks forward to it more, the Authorized Consultants or us, but it's clear something's going right when a participant produces a rap about the event! Cheers to Paul Chastain from Just1 a Google Analytics Authorized Consulting company out of Idaho.
Here is the rap. I promised him glory since we're all out of T-shirts. Hope to see more like this next year!
We really like hearing from GAACs because they eat, live and breathe GA every day. Once a year, we invite them to Google for an event called the Google Analytics and Website Optimizer Authorized Consultant Summit (GAAWOACS for short... just kidding). This past December over 200 participants from more than 30 countries attended. Vint Cerf keynoted and we had four days full of product information on Google Analytics, Website Optimizer and Urchin delivered by our Product Management team, plus case studies, networking and oh yeah.. lots of food and drinks.
We're not sure who looks forward to it more, the Authorized Consultants or us, but it's clear something's going right when a participant produces a rap about the event! Cheers to Paul Chastain from Just1 a Google Analytics Authorized Consulting company out of Idaho.
Here is the rap. I promised him glory since we're all out of T-shirts. Hope to see more like this next year!
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