Web Analytics India Blog

Late to write this, but here it goes

The Searchmasters09 was indeed a great event to attend, one of the first event hosted by Google in India. This event had great sessions to keep one occupied for the entire day. Here’s a brief overview of what’ll happened in the event.

The event started with a talk from Vivaik Bharadwaaj (Manager of the Search Quality Evaluation team)  who spoke about why this conference was held, and also an introduction to the “Indian webmaster community” . He also gave a overview of Google’s initiatives in India and future plans.

He then shared some findings by Google about “India’s internet” status. Here are few important things i could make a note of

• Internet users – 81 million
• Internet subscribers 11.7 million (BB)
• Mobile users – 287 million
• Mobile internet capable 75.6 million
• Mobile is the next big thing!

What works in Internet market in India, or rather what’s popular right now?

1. Entertainment
2. Education/job
3. Banking/finance
4. News/
5. Travel
6. Directory
7. Others

On the terms of how sites in India are doing, here’s what Google Observed

• Most site does not have robot.tx
• No xml sitemaps ( majority of site dint have it )
• Half of the sites analyzed dint have html sitemaps
• Most of the site missing metatags.

India specific initiatives by Google

Orkut communities, India corporate blog, mobile search, transliteration tool, webmaster help forum, Google bus (a bus which is internet enabled, spreading knowledge of internet – started of in Chennai)

Webmaster Central and Beyond – Adam Lasnik – Mountain View

A sampling of best practices

• Discovery (getting great pages discovered)
• Accessibility (for googlebot and users)
• Promotion (having your pages stand out)

What you can do with webmaster tools?

• Diagnose issues: crawl errors, robot.txt concerns
• Change settings: canonical domain, crawl speed
• Get insights: Back links, referring keywords
• Make improvements: enhanced 404 pages, sitemaps

Webmaster Best practices details

Discovery: Helping Google find our page

Sitemaps: A must have preferably in two formats

• HTML: have this in your site
• XML: this is great to have!

How do these help?

It tell the search engine, these are the pages I want you to look, these are the priority of the pages

Links: A bit more about links

Properties of good links

• Just like good friends – attracted naturally
• From trustworthy, relevant, choosy sources
• Similar to votes: they’re given consciously

How can you get good links?

• Create a notable site with original and compelling content
• Participate thoughtfully in communities
• Make pages easy to share and link to

Remember! Links that aren’t worth it

• Those you beg, trade, bargain or pay for
• Links from sources that aren’t respectable or selective

** don’t focus on beauty focus on function!

Content is really the foundation

Great Content is

• Original: your own information or commentary
• Compelling: People are likely to note and share it
• Accessible: Users and Google bot can find and understand it

2.) Accessibility: Make your site accessible:

You site is accessible when users and googlebot can

• load all the pages
• Navigate successfully from page to page
• See what’s on each page
• Understand the content

Other points to ponder

• And when users can bookmark their favorite pages, Homepage or even just “[company name]” is useless when reviewing history/bookmarks! Make sure page title is included as a best practices
• Share pages with others Via social networks like orkut & facebook) business networks, email,im
• Transact appropriately on your site ( submit forms, order materials, etc)
• ** javascript are missing on many users, Ensure you have your site enabled for them
• The most important word to remember is*****TEXT******, Even if it’s video, talk about it in text. Your core content and navigation should be in plain text

Testing Accessibility

• Access your site with different browsers
• This includes mobile browsers and screen readers
• Also a text only browser, such as lynx
• Or at minimum, a regular browser with JavaScript turned off
• Make sure you not only browse but transact
• Try submitting a form conducting a search etc
• Have colleagues test it out

From accessibility to understanding

• Ensure people and search engine understand what your pages are about
• Create title tags, that are brief, descriptive, and compelling
• Annotate photos with alt tags and user descriptive filenames
• Add thoughtful text to give context
• Effective use of Page titles

Good titles are

• Specific to the page
• Mention the company or organization
• Are phrase based not a sentence
• Making most of your images
• Use alt text
• Good Example: src=googlebot.jpg” alt =” googlebot with flowers”
• Bad Example: googlebot photos with flowrers
• Use descriptive filenames
• Describe appropriately in plain text
• Be Kind: Optimize your images for users.

Suggestions for Images, videos and more non text!

• Use Points to check for / questions asked
• *video xml
• *transcript of the videos will help!
• Keyword density does not have huge importance
• Business name:city:what the page is about ( do not repeat it many times)

Google Custom Search! Rajat Mukherjee (Product Manager – Google Custom Search platform)

One of the most widely used internal search tools, It helps customize the Index, Ranking and Presentation

Why CSE

1. Users today use search to navigate sites and find information
2. Search integrated in minutes using look and feel of your own site
3. Better user retention via target search instant high relevance
4. Better clickthru rates and conversion on your site
5. Enhanced indexing via cse index and on demand index
   1. On demand indexing: give a portion of your site all content will be indexed within 24 hours
6. Features such as labels, synonyms, date biasing, promotions
   1. Synonyms/acronyms – you can now promote certain things for select queries (can be urls or information)
7. Monetize with relevant ads via custom search keywords
   1. Features like, add keywords for relevant ads
8. Advanced api’s customization, branding and support options
   1. Branding options available
9. Integrated with Google platform, webmasters tools, sitemaps

Google Analytics and Google Web Optimizer:

This session was an Introduction to Google anlaytics and Google Web Optimizer tool. The following was covered in this session.

• Introduction and capabilites of Google Anlaytics
• Implementation and new features
• Google Analytics Custom Segmentation
• Tracking Campaigns and rich media
• Google Analytics reports explanation
• Google weboptimizer introduction
• Using A/B Test and Multivariate tests
• Advantages of Testing
• Resources and Help

Next Steps by Google as some suggested is

• Hold more events in India
• Dedicated events to other Google products used by web masters

P.S: these were the random notes i took. There are few more folks who wrote about the event, find the links below.

• Digital Inspiration Blog Notes- Amit Agarwal
  
• Daily Seo Blog: Mani Karthik

Google Analytics is indeed one of the best web analytics tool around, and what more can you ask when it’s free. While i was doing a training for our new interns one of the task suggested was to understand all available variables in Google analytics.

Ok so here’s the list of Variables (credit goes to Anuj) in google analytics, it’s function, when it’s used and some examples for each. This list can be quite handy when your doing a QA of your Google Analytics Implementation.

utmac
Function:Account String. Appears on all requests.
Example:utmac=UA-2202604-2

utmcc
Function:Cookie values. This request parameter sends all the cookies requested from the page.
Example:utmcc=__utma%3D117243.1695285.22%3B%2B __utmz%3D117945243.1202416366.21.10. utmcsr%3Db%7C utmccn%3D(referral)%7C utmcmd%3Dreferral%7C utmcct%3D%252Fissue%3B%2B

utmcn
Function:Starts a new campaign session. Either utmcn or utmcr is present on any given request. Changes the campaign tracking data; but does not start a new session
Example:utmcn=1

utmcr
Function:Indicates a repeat campaign visit. This is set when any subsequent clicks occur on the same link. Either utmcn or utmcr is present on any given request.
Example:utmcr=1

utmcs
Function:Language encoding for the browser. Some browsers don’t set this, in which case it is set to “-”
Example:utmcs=ISO-8859-1

utmdt
Function:Page title, which is a URL-encoded string.
Example:utmdt=analytics%20page%20test

utme
Function:X10 Data Parameter
Example:Value is encoded.

utmfl
Function:Flash Version
Example:utmfl=9.0%20r48&

utmhn
Function:Host Name, which is a URL-encoded string.
Example:utmhn=x343.gmodules.com

utmipc
Function:Product Code. This is the sku code for a given product.
Example:utmipc=989898ajssi

utmipn
Function:Product Name, which is a URL-encoded string.
Example:utmipn=tee%20shirt

utmipr
Function:Unit Price. Set at the item level. Value is set to numbers only in U.S. currency format.
Example:utmipr=17100.32

utmiqt
Function:Quantity.
Example:utmiqt=4

utmiva
Function:Variations on an item. For example: large, medium, small, pink, white, black, green. String is URL-encoded.
Example:utmiva=red;

utmje
Function:Indicates if browser is Java-enabled. 1 is true.
Example:utmje=1

utmn
Function:Unique ID generated for each GIF request to prevent caching of the GIF image.
Example:utmn=1142651215

utmp
Function:Page request of the current page.
Example:utmp=/testDirectory/myPage.html

utmr
Function:Referral, complete URL.
Example:utmr=http://www.example.com/aboutUs/index.php?var=selected

utmsc
Function:Screen color depth
Example:utmsc=24-bit

utmsr
Function:Screen resolution
Example:utmsr=2400×1920&

utmt
Function:A special type variable applied to events, transactions, items and user-defined variables.
Example:utmt=Dog%20Owner

utmtci
Function:Billing City
Example:utmtci=San%20Diego

utmtco
Function:Billing Country
Example:utmtco=United%20Kingdom

utmtid
Function:Order ID, URL-encoded string.
Example:utmtid=a2343898

utmtrg
Function:Billing region, URL-encoded string.
Example:utmtrg=New%20Brunswick

utmtsp
Function:Shipping cost. Values as for unit and price
Example:utmtsp=23.95

utmtst
Function:Affiliation. Typically used for brick and mortar applications in ecommerce.
Example:utmtst=google%20mtv%20store

utmtto
Function:Total. Values as for unit and price.
Example:utmtto=334.56

utmttx
Function:Tax. Values as for unit and price.
Example:utmttx=29.16

utmul
Function:Browser language.
Example:utmul=pt-br

utmwv
Function:Tracking code version
Example:utmwv=1

P.S: Related Posts

7 Habits of effective Google Analytics User

I stumbled upon this great event which is a must attend if your part of the internet industry. Now everybody knows how google dominates the search market and also it’s extensive tool list to enhance your website from setting it up to reaching millions of people online.

This event is one of it’s kind with some valuable sessions, The event named as “Searchmasters 09” is a must attend. Here’s what it’s all about.The session 3 (Google Custom Search Engine) and (Google Analytics and Website Optimizer) are of great importance if your a web analyst.

1.) Webmasters Central and Best Practices

• Understand why accessibility is important, how it improves the presence of your site in Google.
• Discover the webmaster resources that Google offers and how it can help you.
• Learn about webmaster guidelines and best practices to build websites.

2.) Webmaster Help forum

• Learn about the thriving webmaster community and how it will help you find answers to search related questions.
• Get to know more about the new platform we’ve recently launched for the help forum and its new features.
• Get introduced to our community builders or ‘Bionic Posters’ as we call them.

3.) Google Custom Search Engine

• Provide a better user retention via targeted search.
• Achieve better click-through rates and conversions on your site
• Monetize with relevant ads via Custom Search keywords.
• Use Advanced APIs, customization, branding and support options.

4.) Building Mobile Friendly Websites

• Find out why there is a need for mobile friendly websites.
• What to consider while designing mobile websites.
• Tools that will help in designing such websites.
• Learn a few design tips and tricks.

5.) Google Analytics and Website Optimizer

Google Analytics is the next generation Web Analytics tool from Google that shows you how people find your site and how they navigate through it. It brings new accessibility to enterprise class web analytics, making it possible for all advertisers, publishers and web site owners to improve their online results. Learn the best way to make use of the product.

The Google Website Optimizer  helps in improving the effectiveness of your website in getting a return on your investment. Determine how you can best attract users and lead them to your site.

Registration: It’s by invite only and limited seats, so hurry up to ensure you get in touch with someone who can get you invite to this great event.

Look out for the coverage of the event and if you are attending the event, reach out to me or leave a comment below so we can catch up .

It was a while ago i wrote a post about 7 habits of effective omniture user, so here goes the 7 series again and this time for Google Analytics. These indeed are the best features of google analytics and probably must use in case you deal with google analytics day in and day out.

1.) Do Not Use Google Analytics Alone!

2.) Use Filters and Profiles Extensively

3.) Track Marketing Campaigns by GA

4.) Regular Expressions

5.) Custom Segmentation

6.) Track Outbound Link and Downloads

7.) Create Analytics Plan and Change Log Documents

1.) Do Not Use Google Analytics Alone!

Ok that certainly does not mean you dont use it , But use it with other amazing google tools like  Google Adwords and Google Web Optimizer.

2.) Use Filters and Profiles

Profiles and Filters are the most robust features in Google analytics and a must use, here’s few tips to get started with filters and profiles.

Google Analytics Profiles:

• Create a Master
• Test
• Campaign/Source/Medium

Content Profiles

• Buyers
• Browsers
• Shoppers

Google Analytics Filters

• Acquisition Filters
• Internal traffic vs. External traffic

3.) Track Marketing Campaigns by GA

• Use manual tagging for query parameters and not use “auto tagging”. (or use both)
• Use Google URL tool builder to create URLs.

4.) Trouble Shoot your data

• Check your reports for a line item named “(other).“
• Check goal no. vs. No. of pv for goal page.
• Use Charles to debug
• Ecommerce : Orders in GA Vs. Accounts dept.

5.) Custom Segmentation

• Use of _utmv via _utmSetVar
• Only One custom segment can be build.
• Use Concatenation strategy.
• Tracking of Repeat Buyers.

6.) Link Tracking and Downloads

• Use Onclick functions : urchinTracker() – (pageTracker for ga.js)
  • <img src=”/image.jpg” onClick=”javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/image.jpg’);” />
  • <a href=”/schedule.pdf” onClick=”javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/files/pdf/schedule.pdf’);” />PDF</a>
• Caution : These are Pageviews use filter to exclude the traffic.

7.) Analytics Plan

• Analyze the website.– Check for diff Domains,subdomains,dynamic content
• Create and Configure profiles.
• Create filters.
• Create goals and funnels.
• Create recommended profiles.
• Edit the tracking code.
• Modify the web site (if necessary; determined in step 2).
• Add the tracking code to web site pages.
• Tag marketing campaigns.
• Enable e-commerce transaction tracking (optional).
• Implement custom segmentation (optional).
• Configure other administrative features.
• User accounts and report access &Automated email delivery

References

• Google Analytics help section
• Justin Cutroni’s blog
• Robbin Steif’s blog

It’s been a while since last post, but back with some useful tips

Ok alright not “must use” but definitely the best of firefox addons if your a web analyst and using Firefox. Now indeed Firefox is one most user friendly browser because of all the customization it allows.

As a web analyst one has to juggle from one screen to other, pre implementation testing, QA, reporting, competitive analysis and endless combination ain’t it ?

Ok here’s a list of 7 firefox addons

1.) WASP

WASP needs no special mention, iam sure it’s used by most of web analyst. It’s a great QA tool mind you not just for single analytical tool but most of them. If your not using you should, read more about it at Stéphane Hamel, site HERE and download the latest version right away.

2.) Grease monkey

Grease monkey allows you to customize the way a webpage displays using small bits of JavaScript. Here’s a list of scripts which’ll help web analysts, before that make sure u have latest version of grease monkey addons.

Get greasemonkey addon here

Useful scripts:

• MVT Vendor Detector:
• Statistics Detector:
• Custom Scripts for GA
  • Show 100 profiles – Lunametrics

3.) Search Status

Search is a very effective tool bar for Quick SEO Analysis, A robust tool and must have for web analyst.Find more information here

4.) Web Developer Toolbar

One of the most used firefox addons, web developer toolbar is a one stop toolbar for all your semi or complete technical needs. Read more and get hold of it here.

Web Developer Toolbar addon

5.) JS View:

This is a great plugin if you want to have a quick look to view source, or view those  web analytics tool JS. You Can get it HERE

6.) Search All: SearchAll is a handy side-by-side search engine comparison tool which allows you to search at most 3 different search engines simultaneously and benchmark their performance in the status bar. This is a great plugin for your Natural Search Engine and Paid Search Analysis and research. Get it HERE

7.) FireShot: FireShot is a Firefox extension that creates screenshots of web pages. Unlike other extensions, this plugin provides a set of editing and annotation tools, which let users quickly modify web captures and insert text annotations and graphical annotations. This plugin is great when your analyzing sites, helps a web analyst take quick screenshot add notes then and there.  Get it HERE

What’s your favourite plugin/addon ?, Add in via comments