Web Analytics

Tom Wojciechowski

DMS 446/546 - Interface Design

What is Web Analytics?

The study of the behavior of a websites visitors.

How does this apply to a business?

How is it done?

Logfile Analysis Page Tagging Hybrid Method

Logfile Analysis

In the early 1990s, web site statistics consisted primarily of counting the number of client requests (or hits) made to the web server.

IPRO in 1994.

Logfile Analysis

Page Views Page Visits

Logfile Analysis

Search Engine Spiders Web Cache

Page Tagging

Desire to outsource analytics AJAX solution

Logfile vs Tagging

Advantages of Logfile– Site already produces it– Reliability– Data is on companies servers– Data is in a standard format– SEO (Search Engine Optimization)– Failed requests

Logfile vs Tagging

Advantages of Tagging– JavaScript is run every time a page is

loaded.– More Flexible. Can add additional

information.– Flash interaction.– Service is housed externally.

Logfile vs Tagging - Cost

Logfile Tagging

In-houseOne time purchase

Third-partyMonthly fee

Companies technical expertise Amount of activity & number of sites

needing statistics

Hybrid Method

HealthNow’s method Logfiles - current SDC - future Webtrends vs Google Analytics

Webtrends - Demo

Google - Demo

http://www.google.com/analytics/

Metrics for designing a site

Screen Dimensions OS Browser Flash Version See if a ad campaign is successful

Questions?