Tag: Google Analytics
Google Analytics is easily the best free tool out there for any webmaster or webmistress.
But why?
Actually, let’s go another step back.
Why Do I Need to Analyze My Site, Anyway?
If you are only using a website for fun, then this may not matter much at all. But if you are, then read on.
An Analogy
Get out a map. Whether it’s Google maps or paper is immaterial. Just, grab one. Let’s go to, oh, I don’t know. Manchester, New Hampshire.
It’s about 60 miles from where I live. For you, it may be more like 600 miles, if you live in, say, Norfolk, Virginia.
If you’re around 3700 miles away, then you’re possibly in Mexico. Are you 2000 miles away? Then welcome to Boulder, Colorado. And if you are around 6700 miles away, then you just might be in Beijing.
But wherever you may be, how do you get there?
A Fer-Instance
If I drive or walk or bike about 60 miles, then I can get to Manchester. Or Falmouth, which is on Cape Cod. I can also get to Newport, Rhode Island. Or Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
All of these are, give or take, around an hour away.
Look, Ma, No Map!
When we take away the map, it becomes trickier to determine what, exactly, is within a 60 mile radius. Before I started this little exercise, I had thought Maine would be included, but it’s not quite there.
My hunch means nothing. Here, there is cold, hard data that tells me that Maine is over 60 miles from my home.
Google Analytics is Kind of Like a Road Map and a Record
Using Google Analytics is a little bit like this. Let’s say you have 100 pieces of content on your site. If 5 of them are being seen by more people, then you have essentially a road map of what works.
Just as importantly, you have a map of what doesn’t work, as well.
Without metrics, you are reduced to guessing.
And what you think your readers want to see, and what you want to write, aren’t always the same thing.
Takeaways
If you haven’t started measuring, then start now! And if you’re measuring but not reading reports and the like, then start now!
Who knows? Your vampire teddy bear romance might be what your readers really want, as opposed to your story about a psychotic tuna fish sandwich.
But there’s no way you’ll know this, not for real, unless you measure.
And if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta keep my eye on my sandwich… ;)
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