Let's chat about Google Analytics. Even if you are concerned that Google is taking over the world, you should care about Google Analytics. Why? Because it can tell you a lot about the people who are visiting your website, what words they are using to search for you, where your referrals are coming from, and if the marketing program you just put in place is working.
It's a free service offered by Google and can be accessed by a gmail email account (yes, it is all integrated!) at http://www.google.com/analytics/
You can add your website and click for a snippet of HTML coding specific to your URL, which you add to your website code (they give instructions on where to place it). If you are using Wordpress, there are lots of sites out there that can help you add analytics to your site.
Once the code is added, it may take a day or two to activate. After that, you can log in to the Google Analytics site and see so much more meaningful information that past hit and visit counters just can't compete with.
Here's a good snapshot of what you'll see when you get there.
To be able to see the pages people are leaving your site, where in the US, Canada or Europe the majority of your visits are coming from, that the facebook ad you just started using it working since referrals from facebook are up and the page you sent them has increased hits - all great to know.
Trust me, add it to your site, and poke around. The wealth of information there will help you as a sprouting marketer. Knowledge is power. Free knowledge like this is a gift.
Until next time,
Lynne
