Most companies measure keyword performance – and especially PPC keyword performance – based on one factor: did that word or phrase bring converting visitors to the site on the visit in which they converted.

So the natural thing to do is trim non-performing words and phrases in order to increase the efficiency of your PPC spend.  And that’s exactly what one client did, except rather than increasing his efficiency, he dropped his sales by 30%.

Why?

Because, depending on what you…

...continue to read "Are Your Analytics Causing You to Lose 30% of Your Sales?"

I’ve written about this before, but new reports keep reinforcing the point that most organizations don’t know what to make of their Web Analytics, meaning they can’t take action to improve their site based on the information they have.  And while the best bet in these situations is simply to hire an expert guide, that may not be an option for you (or maybe you’re just a hard-core DIY-er when it comes to website improvement).  If that’s the case, here…

...continue to read "Make Your Web Analytics Actionable in 5 DIY Steps"

We’re working on completely rewriting the content on our website but several people noticed this and have asked about the new OnTarget(TM) for Google Analytics. OnTarget is now using Google Analytics’ Data Export API.

Here are other apps besides OnTarget that are using Google Analytics’ Data Export API.

Here is OnTarget for Google Analytics:

OnTarget provides full optimization, testing, and improvement cycle recommendations on how to improve goals online and increase conversions from marketing campaigns. Clients determine how many resources can be devoted…

...continue to read "Google Analytics & OnTarget"

1.Google Analytics announced some changes to the referring urls coming from Google search engine results. We later learn that Google adds rank information to referral URL.

2. Google Analytics also announces the availability of a read-only API to their application. Several customer examples of applications built on this API are announced, including FutureNow’s OnTarget for Google Analytics. We can now leverage customer’s Google Analytics tags and bring in the data into OnTarget where our analysts can provide you your to-do list of conversion…

...continue to read "TheGrok’s Not-To-Miss Links for the Week 4/23/09"

Get the most out of your Google Analytics with this collection of links to implement, configure and get insights from Google Analytics. * Last updated 6/10/09.

Google Analytics Setup Checklist

* Google Analytics IQ Lessons from Google’s Conversion University with videos

A Video Tutorial to Google Analytics Setup

Google’s Support Installation Guide

How to speed up your website when using Google Analytics

8 Stupid Things Webmasters Do To Mess Up Their Analytics

How to Link Google Analytics to your AdWords Account

Video: How…

...continue to read "The Missing Google Analytics Manual"

“There’s no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you’ll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?”

- Elaine in the movie Airplane

Does looking at an instrumentation panel like this (picture on the left) create feelings of information overload? It does for most non-pilots I know.

Pilots on the other hand, quickly identify the primary flight gauges and navigation equipment.  They know what’s immediately important for flying…

...continue to read "Too Much Data Vs. Actionable Insight"

Tom Peters called it “…the best article on business strategy I’ve ever read,” and advised his blog subscribers to “read every damn word.”

And Tom isn’t alone in considering Michael Lewis’s sports writing to be a hidden treasure; just look at this marketing-based analysis of his book,  Money Ball.  But Tom Peters has been alone in recognizing the business applications of Michael Lewis’s astonishing article on the surprising innovation and success of Texas Tech Football, written no less than three…

...continue to read "Texas Tech Tuesday – Website Optimization Secrets from The Most Innovative Offense in Football (part 1)"

Wenda Harris Millard “Flat is the new up.” quoted at the recent EconWomen conference. She touches on some of the consumer trends this 2008 holiday season.

25 Web Form Optimization Tips – Covers most of the basics, a good reminder.

Usability of Toilet Paper – who could resist this analysis, especially as my friend David Dalka reminded me – P&G said at a search conference, no one would ever blog about toilet paper. Should it be bottom up or top down?

If you are so inclined…

...continue to read "TheGrok’s Not-To-Miss Links for the Week 10/31/08"

At the eMetrics Summit today, Google Analytics announced new enterprise-class features including custom reports, advanced segmentation, an API, as well as an updated interface, richer data visualizations, and an integration with Google AdSenseTM.

*Custom reports* enable customers to create their own reports with the metrics they want to compare organized in the way they want to see it. You no longer have to look at the standard reports and using drag and drop you choose the data you want to analyze on your…

...continue to read "Google Analytics Releases Enterprise Feature Set"