Analytics test
From SiteRay wiki
| SiteRay Test | |
|---|---|
| First appeared: | Sitescore 1.0 |
| Applies to: | All versions |
| Type: | Individual test |
| Scored: | Always |
What does it do?
Checks whether Analytics software is being used on this website. (Analytics is used to monitor the behaviour of website visitors).
Why is it important?
To best improve a website, you need as much useful information about how it is currently being used as possible. Analytics software typically records a huge amount of information, including:
- How many visitors your site has
- Amount of new / repeat visitors
- Where they go, and in what order
- What areas of the page they click on
- What computer capabilities they have
Example results
Note that in this example web addresses have been concealed.
How is it measured?
SiteRay has a database of recognised Analytics tools, and it searches for key 'signatures' for each of these on every page. Any matches are recorded and shown in the results.
There are two main ways Analytics can work - via:
- Logfile analysis - the logs of webpages visited are analysed, usually in batches.
- Page tagging - a usually invisible image is downloaded together with each webpage and tracks the user.
SiteRay can only detect Page tagging, as by definition there is no detectable indication of Logile analysis on a public website. We strongly advocate the use of Page tagging in preference to, or in tandem with Logfile analysis. Both approaches have their uses, but Page tagging offers more detailed information then Logfile analysis, and is increasingly favoured as a result. For more detail, see this article.
The score is based on the percentage of pages which use one or more forms of Analytics. The best possible score would come from using Analytics on every single page.
Technical explanation
The list of signatures is based on our database of leading Analytics solutions, including (but not limited to):
- WebTrends
- Google Analytics
- SiteCatalyst
- OpenTracker
- SiteCensus
- Nedstat
- LoadStats
- DoubleClick Spotlight
- Vignette
- Touch Clarity
- Site Manager
- Atlas Analytics
- CoreMetrics
- WebSideStory
- StatCounter
- ClickTracks
- HitsLink
- IndexTools
These solutions can only be detected if they use a recognised signature. We frequently update the list of supported solutions and can add more free of charge on request.
The score is based on the proportion of webpages using any Analytics (e.g. 100% of pages = 10/10).
Common problems
If an Analytics solution is not recognised, SiteRay cannot detect it. Typically this is because either:
- The Analytics tool is obscure or new. SiteRay simply doesn’t know about it. You should contact us and we will be happy to add it to your next free update.
- The code of your pages has changed or obscured the Analytics tool. For example, a web designer may remove the comments originally found in the Javascript that your Analytics embeds in the page. Or they may move it into a separate Javascript file, where it is otherwise modified (e.g. variables and functions are renamed). If the signature is no longer present, SiteRay cannot detect it. You should let us know, and we will see if it is possible to detect the modified Analytics code.
How to improve this score
Use an Analytics solution on as much of your website as possible. Many (such as Google Analytics) are now free, almost all of them offer an incredible range of excellent functionality.
How to use this test effectively
If you have a minimum score of 1 for this test, you're not currently using any Analytics software. We strongly recommend you either purchase a leading solution (such as WebTrends or SiteCatalyst), or try a free solution such as Google Analytics. Implementation of basic Analytics is straightforward, but making proper use of these tools can take some effort.
If your score is less than a perfect 10, you aren’t using Analytics on all of your pages. Ideally aim to cover as much of your website as possible. If any of these pages are client-side redirections you should aim to remove them and replace them with server-side redirections.
