Hosting The Right Way

How To Analyze Website Traffic Effectively

Analyzing your web traffic statistics can be an invaluable tool for a number of different reasons. But before you can make full use of this tool, you need to understand how to interpret the data.

Most web hosting companies will provide you with basic web traffic information that you then have to interpret and make pertinent use of. However, the data you receive from your host company can be overwhelming if you don't understand how to apply it to your particular business and website. Let's start by examining the most basic data - the average visitors to your site on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

These figures are the most accurate measure of your website's activity. It would appear on the surface that the more traffic you see recorded, the better you can assume your website is doing, but this is an inaccurate perception. You must also look at the behavior of your visitors once they come to your website to accurately gauge the effectiveness of your site.

There is often a great misconception about what is commonly known as "hits" and what is really effective, quality traffic to your site. Hits simply means the number of information requests received by the server. If you think about the fact that a hit can simply equate to the number of graphics per page, you will get an idea of how overblown the concept of hits can be. For example, if your homepage has 15 graphics on it, the server records this as 15 hits, when in reality we are talking about a single visitor checking out a single page on your site. As you can see, hits are not useful in analyzing your website traffic.

The more visitors that come to your website, the more accurate your interpretation will become. The greater the traffic is to your website, the more precise your analysis will be of overall trends in visitor behavior. The smaller the number of visitors, the more a few anomalous visitors can distort the analysis.

The aim is to use the web traffic statistics to figure out how well or how poorly your site is working for your visitors. One way to determine this is to find out how long on average your visitors spend on your site. If the time spent is relatively brief, it usually indicates an underlying problem. Then the challenge is to figure out what that problem is.

It could be that your keywords are directing the wrong type of visitors to your website, or that your graphics are confusing or intimidating, causing the visitor to exit rapidly. Use the knowledge of how much time visitors are spending on your site to pinpoint specific problems, and after you fix those problems, continue to use time spent as a gauge of how effective your fix has been.

Additionally, web traffic stats can help you determine effective and ineffective areas of your website. If you have a page that you believe is important, but visitors are exiting it rapidly, that page needs attention. You could, for example, consider improving the link to this page by making the link more noticeable and enticing, or you could improve the look of the page or the ease that your visitors can access the necessary information on that page.

If, on the other hand, you notice that visitors are spending a lot of time on pages that you think are less important, you might consider moving some of your sales copy and marketing focus to that particular page.

As you can see, these statistics will reveal vital information about the effectiveness of individual pages, and visitor habits and motivation. This is essential information to any successful Internet marketing campaign.

Your website undoubtedly has exit pages, such as a final order or contact form. This is a page you can expect your visitor to exit rapidly. However, not every visitor to your site is going to find exactly what he or she is looking for, so statistics may show you a number of different exit pages. This is normal unless you notice a exit trend on a particular page that is not intended as an exit page. In the case that a significant percentage of visitors are exiting your website on a page not designed for that purpose, you must closely examine that particular page to discern what the problem is. Once you pinpoint potential weaknesses on that page, minor modifications in content or graphic may have a significant impact on the keeping visitors moving through your site instead of exiting at the wrong page.

After you have analyzed your visitor statistics, it's time to turn to your keywords and phrases. Notice if particular keywords are directing a specific type of visitor to your site. The more targeted the visitor - meaning that they find what they are looking for on your site, and even better, fill out your contact form or make a purchase - the more valuable that keyword is.

However, if you find a large number of visitors are being directed - or should I say misdirected - to your site by a particular keyword or phrase, that keyword demands adjustment. Keywords are vital to bringing quality visitors to your site who are ready to do business with you. Close analysis of the keywords your visitors are using to find your site will give you a vital understanding of your visitor's needs and motivations.

Finally, if you notice that users are finding your website by typing in your company name, break open the champagne! It means you have achieved a significant level of brand recognition, and this is a sure sign of burgeoning success.

Keith Ng is the owner of Latest Best Deals Online, BestOnlineSearchPro welcomes everyone who intends to share knowledge, interesting products, ideas and those who want to start Internet Online Business. You will find all kind of Internet Marketing Tools and resources. For Newbie and Internet Marketers this blog will be the best option for lowest prices of all kind of Internet Marketing Tools at http://www.bestonlinesearchpro.com

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

Web Design Services in Springfield Missouri
The vital importance of effective web design is becoming clear to businesses which are competing for customers online. These days more and more business people are realizing that web design and online marketing are worth investing in.

How do I Charge for the Advertising Space on my Web Site
If you're selling advertising on the Internet, you need to decide how to charge for it so that you can make your business as profitable as possible for the industry you are in So, should you set a flat fee per month based on the advertising inventory you provide, or should you use CPM

DiscountASP.NET Expands Global Reach for ASP.NET Web Hosting Services with European Data Center
DiscountASP.NET, a leading innovator in ASP.NET hosting, announces expanding their global reach into Europe with a new data center location in London, UK.

Little Known Effective Web Site Promotion Techniques
There can be no doubt that website promotion has proven to be one of the most challenging obstacles to many web site owners. How does one get their web site noticed among the sea of millions of web sites out there, much less get actual hits and visits?

MarketingTactics Launches Improved Website for Independent Storage
MarketingTactics, announces the launch of an enhanced website for Independent Storage. This revamped website offers improved navigation, a more refined look and emphasizes the new, broader product offering.

6 Ways To Attract Search Engines To Your Website More Often
Adding fresh, updated content to your website is the surest way to get search engines engines to spider your site more often. Search engines are known to index sites updated on a regular basis more frequently.

Advantages Of A Professional Web Design Vs Doing It Yourself
Your website says a great deal about you and your business. It can make the difference between making a sell and the consumer using another website for their purchase. It is quite possible to design a website on your own, but it isn?t always the best choice.

Using banner advertising to promote your website
Since 1994, when banner advertising first appeared on the internet, there has been a considerable increase in its use in online marketing. Anyone who is serious about online advertising should learn more about using banner advertising as an integral part of their website marketing plan.

Publisher's Company and Web Site Debut
Little Rock, Arkansas Residents Yana L. Freeman and co-owner Van McClendon have formed "Sacred Path Publishing" a company devoted to self-publishing and the promotion of their books.

Web Design Contract
I wrote an article on the Importance of a Client Contract.  Now, I would like to offer to you the fruits of my labor, compiled from many sources.

Web Hosting For Business - Look For Quality
Internet web hosting can be a hostile business. People without an aggressive nature may find web hosting for business to be extremely difficult. Just because web hosting for business is affordable does not mean that it skimps on mandatory services.

REO Packages: Hot New 'Buyers Only' Website Streamlines Buying, Selling REOs
By eliminating pesky Internet broker chains, Sterling Holdings Inc. introduces a no nonsense approach to REO packages. Savvy buyers can now deal directly with reliable sellers, in confidence, and quickly negotiate the best deals.

RealAsell.com: A New Web Site Promises to Help Homeowners Sell in 30 Days or Less
Can homeowners really sell their homes in 30 days or less without a Realtor? Jennifer Gibson of RealAsell.com thinks so. The new Web site boasts a "Sell in 30 days or Less... Guaranteed" service by providing its clients the opportunity to gain additional exposure through the RealAsell.com national lender network.

Usabilty of your website - best tips
No matter how brilliant your website design is, if it is hard to reach the content of your site then your site is as useful as an empty shell. Here are some tips to improve the usability of your website to ensure it serves its functions optimally.