Google Analytics, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Jerri L. Ledford (Author), Joe Teixeira (Author), Mary E. Tyler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0470531282 | ISBN-13: 978-0470531280 | Edition: 3

Get the most out of the free Google Analytics service—and get more customers

Google Analytics allows you to discover vital information about how end users interact with their Web sites by collecting vital data and providing tools to analyze it, with the intention of improving the end-user experience and, ultimately converting users into customers. This indispensible guide delves into the latest updates to the newest version of Google Analytics—3.0—and explains the concepts behind this amazing free tool.

You'll discover what information to track, how to choose the right goals and filters, techniques for reading Google Analytics reports and graphs, and, most importantly, how to compile this data and use it to improve your Web site and attract more potential customers.

• Takes an in-depth look at Google Analytics 3.0 and walks you through the possibilities it offers
• Explains how to read Google Analytics reports and graphs so that you can compile this data and use it to improve your Web site and attract more users
• Shares techniques for converting end users into customers
• Features tips and suggestions for getting the information you need from Google Analytics reports and then converting that information into actionable tasks you can use

With Google Analytics, Third Edition, you&'ll be well on your way to retrieving the information you need to convert visitors to your site into customers!

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a good, in-depth guide to this service and all of its various settings." (Jem Matzan, TheJemReport.com, January 2007)

"…invaluable…If you are starting out with Analytics, or even if you are reasonably expert, this book is well worth the investment." (Performance Measurement and Metrics, May 2007) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

With 2 billion sites on the Web, who's looking at yours?

Google Analytics can tell you. With great new features including advanced customization and segmentation capabilities, Analytics supplies information about your site visitors that helps you ramp up the value of your site. And like its two previous editions, this guide shows you what's new in Google Analytics, how to get the most from the program, and what to do with what you learn.

• Understand the concepts, set up your Google Analytics program, use the right goals and filters, and read the reports

• Learn to interpret and apply Analytics results, even if you're not a Web pro

• See how other companies use Analytics data

• Explore new features such as AdSense integration, cost data settings, motion charts, custom reports, and event tracking

• Apply the information you'll get from reports on traffic, visitors, content, site searches, and more

• Drill down deeper with advanced techniques, tips, and hacks

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (December 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470531282
• ISBN-13: 978-0470531280
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #485,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Find, October 12, 2006

By 

Joyce A. Anthony - See all my reviews

This review is from: Google Analytics (Paperback)

Google Analytics is one of the best finds for those of us who find ourselves technically-challenged in a technically-heavy world.

This book covers every possible aspect of Google Analytics. I found the language simple, without talking down to anyone. By the time I had completed it, all my questions were fully answered.

I highly recommend Google Analytics to anyone who wants a down-to-earth explanation of the ins and outs of Google Analytics.

46 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Bag of Content, October 19, 2006

By 

Jase T. Wolfe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Google Analytics (Paperback)

In a nutshell, Google's Analytics service is a web traffic analyzer and marketing performance manager provided for free to anyone with a Google account, but especially geared to those who participate in their AdWords program. This book serves as an introduction and walkthrough guide to Google's Analytics service for those that do not already know about it. The authors have written this title in a in a "for dummies" format, primarily for small web site authors and bloggers that have not had experience in web traffic analysis software before.

Google Analytics is a mixed bag of content, and it is really up to the reader to determine if the amount of time invested reading the book is paying off more than simply scouting Google's Analytics site and reading all of Google's on-line help would. Many chapters are little more than walkthroughs of the Google screens, providing explanations of the obvious, rehashes of the on-line help, and excessive screenshots (often one per page), all of which is very often presented in that cutesy writing style popular today in computer books aimed at beginners. The authors also make the assumption that software in use on their system is in use on yours. As an example, an entire chapter is dedicated to reviewing another web site analyzer, AWStats, without ever actually introducing where it came from, how you can get it, the basic usage of it, etc.

If you do not actually read the book from cover to cover, but rather read only sections relevant to your needs, readers can often find very valuable information. An example of this is chapter 6, "Filtering Your Data", where the authors thoroughly go over not just how to create filters, but how to create more intelligent filters using Regular Expressions, a more difficult topic I was surprised to find handled so well. Because the book is well organized and divided, readers may find that the title can serve as a spot reference for areas within the Analytics service where Google's help is not readily apparent, or where a different phrasing or a specific example is more beneficial.

If you are already successfully using Google's Analytics service or are a more seasoned webmaster, this title will not provide you with additional information or advanced tips. However, if you are new to analyzing web traffic for your small web site or blog, this is a good introduction to Google's service.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners, October 12, 2006

By 

Jack - See all my reviews

This review is from: Google Analytics (Paperback)

As a small business owner I found this book to be very helpful in getting started with Google Analytics. Analytics can be extremely complicated and the
conversational tone of the book makes the topic easier to understand.

I found the examples useful especially where analytics was applied to real world situations. As the owner of a home decor business technology is not my strong suit. So I found this book helpful.