Web Analytics Basic 6-Step Process Based on content from: /od/loganalysis/a/web_analy tics.htm

Web Analytics - 6 Steps 1. Collect Data 2. Transform Data 3. Analyze Data 4. Translate Insights 5. Inspire Readers / Engage Customers 6. Collect Data – Again! (Re-start from Step 1!) Source: nalytics.htm nalytics.htm

Step 1-Collect Data  First step is collect data  Use a Web analytics toolWeb analytics tool  Include all areas of your Web collecting data:  Web logs  CGI logs  Form to requests  Other data your Web site generates

Step 2-Transform Data  Reviewing logs in native format is very tedious - and not terribly useful  Transform data into a format that can be analysed  Web analytics tools do this graphically and numerically  Some logs or other data such as CGI need to be converted also

Step 3-Analyze Data  Look for trends in your Web traffic data  Use the following questions as a guide for what to look for:  Do most people visit at specific times?  Which pages are the most popular?  Do your readers browse more than one page before leaving?  What is the average length of time your readers stay?  Do your readers come from search engines?  What pages are primary exit pages for your site?exit pages  Who are linking to you?

Step 4-Translate Insights  When site analysis is complete:  Develop a plan of action for how to improve the site  For example, if a discover very popular entry page that you were unaware of, consider adding more links to other documents on the site from that page Or  If many visitors arrive at the home page and then leave, plan focus groups to determine what is wrong with that page and improve it

Step 5-Inspire Your Readers  Making changes to your Web site should be a continual improvement activity  Changes should be exciting both to you and to your readers  Once you know how you're going to change your site based on your Web analytics, then you should put your plan into action

Step 6-Collect Data–Again!  Web analytics is an on-going process  Once you've made a change, start tracking it in your Web logs and evaluate your Web analytics again