This exclusive video walkthrough shows you how to use Google Analytics "Add to Dashboard" feature to build an incredibly efficient dashboard. Grab specific KPI's (Key Performance Indicators) from different areas within your Google Analytics report for "at a glance" access to critical stats.
Within 5 minutes you'll be able to export your key stats to PDF, and even set up Google's scheduled reporting to mail you a single email report with all your key details.
One of the more exciting new features in Google Analytics is the ability to see exactly what your visitors are searching for, after they land on your site.
Why is Site Search information so vital?
It's a gold mine of "problem statements"!
Think about it, a visitor lands on your website and uses your searchbox,
Everything they type into that box is something they can't easily find on your website.
This creates an opportunity for you to test new navigation layouts and options to get your visitors to the products/pages they are looking to sooner. The better this connection, the more likely you are to keep visitors on your site and make the sale.
Every word they search for is in their "natural language"
Lets say you use the term "cat tracker" on your product pages referring to a product that allows the customer to keep track of their pet remotely. You did your keyword research and their's demand for this keyword in Google. Great! Job complete right?
Not at all! Explore your Google Analytic Site Search results and uncover different terms your visitors are using to reference the same product, but aren't finding it.
In my experience working with a client, we discovered that customers we're using their internal search engine to search for things like "cat locator, cat locater, cat pendant, etc" and not finding the "cat tracker" page as these keywords weren't on it.
With a few quick changes, we were able to make it easier for their existing visitors to find the product they want, and at the same time opened the doors to additional search engine traffic due to the new keyword terms.
Problems = Opportunities
One of my favorite strategies is to read message forums and newsgroups of a particular niche industry and look for a large group of people complaining about something.
Sounds strange I know, but when people are complaining about a service, product or the fact they can't find a product, this translates into an opportunity to supply that market with a solution. Instant business opportunity.
You can use your site search results to research the same concept. If your visitors keep searching for "Paris Hilton Doggie Necklace" and you don't offer that product in your store... source it and sell it! It's a no brainer.
Here's a video from Google's Conversion University about Google Analytics Site Search:
Google's official ConversionUniversity.com has recently been updated and is now available in 25 languages. This is a great resource for both beginner and advanced Analytics users.
Google Analytics recently added the option to choose "Legacy urchin.js" tracking code or the new "ga.js" tracking code.
What are the advantages of GA.js over Urchin.js?
Faster, smaller source file - which will allow for a faster download time
Object oriented - instead of using functions
Automatic detection of HTTPS
Increased namespace safety
One thing to note,
If you install the new code, you must do it over your entire website all at once as the legacy code is not compatible.
Do you need to upgrade?
The experts are predicting that Google Analytics will continue to support urchin.js for another 12-18 months. No need to rush, but something to plan for.
This how to article is for the attentive webmasters who are always messing around with your own websites. Testing, tweaking, blogging, testing, testing, etc
You spend a lot of time messing around inside your website, which can adversely affect your Google Analytics tracking accuracy.
TIP: This is especially important for new, emerging online businesses with low traffic. If you're only tracking 10-50 visitors a day, your own actions can really skew your reporting.
