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October 23, 2008

Google Analytics Upgrade: A Game Changer?

Checked in this morning with Bryan Eisenberg, author of "Always Be Testing: The Complete Guide to Google Website Optimizer," about the latest enhancements to Google Analytics.

Eisenberg's calling the new features "game changing" for analytics. He especially likes how easy it's to create custom reports. For instance, someone can find out how many visitors on Web site A were referred from Web site B -- and read at least eight articles on Web site A.

Another interesting move: Google is making it easier for third parties to create applications for Google Analytics, potentially creating another cottage industry.

Do you think GA's new features are game changers?

And who is most threatened by these upgrades? Yahoo, which launched Yahoo Web Analytics, a free tool two weeks ago? Or the big guns like Omniture, WebTrends, and Coremetrics?

Post a comment, below, or e-mail me your thoughts: annamaria at clickz.com

Posted by Anna Maria Virzi at October 23, 2008 9:47 AM

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Comments

Without even the upgrade changes and enhancements to GA ... Google has a real lifetime winner for the advertising masses. Anyone, other then those peddling the expensive analytics alternatives, knows GA gives them meaningful ROI snapshots. What do you expect from the world's largest advertising venue and Ad platform.

Mike Hyland October 24, 2008 1:14 AM

The analytics model is a great ad on from Google. Any information that helps the advertiser understand the traffic and increase ROI is a benefit. Advertisers need these tools.

It should impact competing analytics tools, after all how many do you really need?
Managing that all takes time.

However, as a heavy PPC advertiser, I see it as Google's way of not just helping the advertiser, but protecting their bottom line in an already expensive PPC model.

Richard October 27, 2008 11:57 AM

The new enhancements are a huge leap in functionality. One gripe in particular has been addressed: segmentation.

Before the update it was a pain having to create a separate profile (including duplicate goals) with filters to view data for each segment of interest. And the segmentation could only be applied to data captured after the profile was saved. Comparison between segments was tedious.

Now you can create and compare complex segmentation easily within an existing profile and apply it to historical and future data e.g. new visitors that arrived by paid search on a specific page that converted on one of your goals. Fantastic and it's free! I’ve not even started on the custom reporting or motion charts yet…

I was told by Omniture and Webtrends that my clients would hit a glass ceiling with Google Analytics (though they couldn’t tell me what that would look like). None had before the enhancements; that time looks further way now!

Andy Dawson October 27, 2008 6:35 PM

The Google Analytics new features like Advanced Segmentation & Custom Report
helps the users to see not just numbers, but equip them to....

http://digitalmarketingdomino.blogspot.com/2008/10/google-analytics-enterprise-ready.html

Ramki October 28, 2008 2:14 AM

I agree with Andy, the advanced segmentation option is pretty helpful. Great leap in terms of customized reporting. The new semi-animated motion charts is the cherry on the cake.

SEO Pune November 17, 2008 7:53 AM