Web Analytics India Blog

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

I should humbly accept month of December and January has been slow on web analytics India. But here’s what’s coming up in the month of February/March. Thanks to all the feedback and inputs by readers here are the Category & posts you will see in the coming months. Again this is a draft and feedback are welcome

Web Analytics Career in India

• Web analytics-good with numbers and good with people
• Web analytics as career in india
  - Tool implementation/QA
  -Reporting analytics
  -optimization Expert

Web Analytics Tool Tips, Tricks and Best Practices

• Google analytics: 7 habits of effective GA user
• Integration with Google Adwords
• Integration with Google Web Optimizer

Web Optimization (A/B Testing & Multivariate Tests)

• Getting started with google Web optimizer

Internet and Web Analytics Status in India

• E-commerce status in India and web analytics overview
• Mobile Internet and Advertising status

This has been due for some time now! It was a while ago Girish, wrote about how web analytics scope in India is related to online (internet) penetration in India.

This post focuses on current state of Indian internet and also current status of Web Analytics Industry in India.

Post1 is an overview of current status of internet in India, followed by a small research to understand the status of web analytics industry in india.

India Internet Overview

With a Population of 1.2 billion, 22 states 5 union territories , 22 official languages, GDP of 10% and above, and being worlds largest English speaking nation, India internet population is growing at a fast pace. According to the latest from IMNAI, internet user base grew by a whooping 40% to reach 46 million.

People have started to realize the importance of Internet in their lives where it is not just a communication mode to email, chat and get information but has become an enabling tool to perform various tasks over Internet like learning, networking, shopping, gaming and expressing themselves in the form of blogs to the extent of establishing a virtual world for themselves

Looking at the Indian population from the perspective of Internet usage,

• Urban population forms the relevant mass. As most of the content available over the Internet is           in English, familiarity with English acts as a major factor driving Internet usage.
• India being a home for 22 odd regional languages, Internet is largely limited to those familiar with English.
• This opens an opportunity for vernacular content to increase and thus tap the non English speaking literate people.

More and more people are now experiencing Internet.

• 70% of the people who know computer have used Internet in their life which is a very healthy sign for Internet in India.
• It shows that people are becoming aware of the Internet and are moving ahead to experience it.

People have started realizing that Internet can serve as a one stop point for all their needs. Be it

• Communication
• Entertainment,
• Shopping,
• Information search

Internet serves as a panacea for all their requirements. This has led 70% of the ever users to glue themselves to the Internet and access it on a regular basis.

Internet Penetrating to Non Metro Areas

People from non metro and small towns are increasingly experiencing their tryst with this new medium. This is evident from the fact that their contribution to Internet user base is increasing. As more users from, the non metros show their interest in becoming a part of the Internet Community the digital divide is poised to reduce in the years to come. This change is due to increasing computer literacy and awareness and good word of mouth of this medium.

Continious Growth of PC Owners and Internet Subscribers

The above information sums up the current state of Internet in India. With Internet growing at great pace. So where’s India internet heading? Here’s an overview

1. Single Platform: Internet will (rather is) become most powerful platform for marketing and communication. 
2. Brand Reach: More marketing efforts to establish brand and reach millions of customers, a paradigm shift from offline to online! 
3. Entertainment: India Film Industry (a.k.a – bollywood), will have a huge online presence!
4. Video: Video dedicated sites will increase as “broadband” increases in India. 
5. Cricket: Cricket takes over internet! ( it already is, is’nt it?). 
6. Localization: Local Search Engines and for enhanced results 
7. Regional Language sites: With over 22 official language, More regional content would be seen soon. 
8. Social Media: This will need a separate mention!, With youth driving the internet in india, conversation using social media platforms (social networking,blogs, wiki,podcast etc..) will grow and form a key “marketing” sector. 
9. Mobile Internet: India being one of the nation with “highest” mobile users, internet penetration is bound to increase and so will “mobile marketing” 
10. Digital Platforms: IPTV would be the next big thing ( still a long time to see this) but will be the next in internet revolution in India. 

Travel, Finance, Media, Retail, Automotive, Finance and Lead Generation. 

So the next posts will help one understand the current status of Web analytics in respect to these verticals. 

If you belong to any of those verticals and would like to input your views, feel free to reach out to me to help make the information as acurate as possible. 

What do you feel about internet growth and it’s relation to Web Analytics? am i missing something? feel free to add on via comments.