Google Analytics is one of those things you probably see a lot of people writing about on the Internet and if you don’t use this tool for your own website, you might not completely understand what the big deal is. But trust me, it’s a big deal. Let me break it down for you…
What is Google Analytics (GA)?
It is a free service offered by Google that is used to track visitors to your website.
Is it a hit counter? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Google analytics takes marketing insights about your site and its visitors to a whole new level. GA can tell you: who visited your site, when they visited, how they found you (what keywords were used), how they use your site, what type of screen resolution they are using to view your site, how they become customers (or don’t), etc.
If this sounds like some meaningful data, you are right.
Keith Cunningham, author of Keys to the Vault, says “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” This goes for all things in business, including your website.
Without some sort of analytics running on your business’ website you will never be able to calculate the ROI. If you don’t know what your ROI is, then you are just gambling. I’m pretty sure your business means more to you than that.
It is time to start treating your site like a business too, because it is.
Your Turn
Write down these four points and definitely do the last one!
1. Google Analytics is a site tracking tool that lets you analyze all aspects of your site
2. It is NOT just a hit counter
3. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
4. Take a tour of Google Analytics.
