This wiki is managed by Dave Chaffey of Smart Insights to help keep marketers up-to-date with developments in digital marketing
Google Analytics Setup
From Marketing Online
Dave Chaffey's summary of the most significant postings and developments giving guidance on Google Analytics Setup and configuration which I think all digital marketers need to be aware of.
As well as my take on the major updates, you will also want to check out the Google Analytics Update page if you don't know about - it's tough to find. I also track the Google Analytics Blog which is great for analytics folk, but not most general marketers.
Contents |
Major developments in Google Analytics Setup and new features
- Google Analytics Annotations now available in all Accounts Updated January 29th 2010. This featured was announced in December - see below, but frustratingly only available in some accounts.
- Google Analytics Annotations Launched Add text annotations for campaign launches, landing page redesigns, etc on your trendlines - a handy tool for businesses of all sizes, but especially where several people are involved. Update added 7th December 2009.This announcement also includes:
- Facility to use custom variables as Advanced segments
- Launch of setup Wizard for multidomain tracking
- New Google Analytics Asynchronous Tracking Code A new method (1st December 2009) for tagging with Google Analytics designed to reduce page load times and page view volume accuracy since it is included within the top <head> section of an HTML page rather than the more conventional foot of page.
Note, a side effect of this new tracking method is that site engagement will appear to decrease since more shorter visits to the site will be included, i.e. bounce rates will increase. Detailed technical instructions on setting up Asynchronous Tracking - it still use ga.js tracking but requires new code in a new position in the HTML page.
- Setting up Google Analytics Accounts and Profiles for a marketing team Update November 2009 - This is one of the best explanations I have seen for how to give different levels of access for different members of a sales & marketing team concentrating on different products and markets
- Setup for Multiple domains By eNor for Google Analytics Blog Posted 30th September 2009
- 12 step guide to Google Analytics setup Last update August 2009 I have developed this as a summary and gradually update / add the additional links below
- New custom variables October 2009 feature - useful for applying content groups idea through Page Level Custom Variables" - here they give the example of a newspaper site section
Conversion Goal and Event Tracking
- Significant GA feature update October 2009 - - my summary on new Google conversion goals and Intelligence features
- Google Analytics announce final release of Event tracking June 2009 - Event tracking often uses the example of Flash and video events, but can used for other events shown below
- 10 Must Track Google Analytics Goals March 2009 - Ran Nir's posting has great ideas for tracking customer participation and engagement on a site
- Event tracking in Google Analytics Jan 2009 - This recipe uses Event tracking to assess conversion goals such as PDF downloads and Outbound links
Using Google Analytics Intelligence
- Review of Google Intelligence feature November 2009
Custom variables in Google Analytics - example of applications (New Feb 2010)
These are probably the least used feature, but offer the ability to segment according to customer / non customer and even by profile using cookies.
- Google Analytics Custom variables - Google coverage Google Conversion Room Blog explanation and examples of using custom analytics - Updated 18th February 2010
Tracking search engines in different countries with Google Analytics
- Method 2. Brian Clifton Javascript added to page Uses _addOrganic Javascript function
