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One Under-Used, Over-Powered Google Analytics Feature

The Google Analytics Menu with In-Page Analysis

You'll find In-Page Analysis under the Content section.

There’s one very powerful feature in Google Analytics that I find very few people discover on their own. So, I want to be sure you know how to use it. I’m talking about the tool called In-Page Analysis. Not long ago it was called Site Overlay, but it’s been revamped and carries a “Beta” tag with the new name. (Beta meaning still in a testing stage.)

When you click the In-Page Analysis link you’ll be taken to a page that shows your website within Google Analytics. You’ll have a column on the left with lots of handy stats for the page you’re looking at. Even better, you’ll see a little bubble by every link on your site showing what percentage of clicks were on that link.

The In-Page Analysis interface

When you first start this feature up you’ll see your site’s homepage. Look at the link stats. Since every website is different and has different objectives it’s hard to give universal advice about what your numbers should ideally look like. Think about what path you want visitors to take through your site and see if the numbers match your ideal. If not, make a note of the issue.

After you look at the homepage, click one of your links and have a look at the next page. Consider where you’d like visitors to go after that page and see if your click statistics match up. While you explore, pay attention to the Entrance and Exit percentages in the left column as well. A high exit percentage on your Contact page is normal. On your homepage, it’s a problem.

You can explore your whole site this way, and I suggest you do. It never fails to amaze me how quickly I can find actionable information this way.

I expect Google will be improving the In-Page Analysis feature a lot as time goes on. Perhaps eventually they’ll even give us click heat maps showing exactly where clicks happen, down to the pixel. Of course, by then you’ll be a pro with this feature because you started using it religiously after reading this, right?

Note: If you have the kind of website that you log into as an administrator, you may need to log out before this feature will work correctly.

December 30, 2010 by Peter

Filed Under: Web Analytics Tagged With: conversion, Web Analytics

Google Analytics Metrics – A Video Tutorial

Here’s a quick video that Google put up on Youtube last year.  It gives a good overview of what all that data in Google Analytics means, and how to act on it.  Enjoy.

August 4, 2009 by Peter

Filed Under: Web Analytics Tagged With: google, tutorial, video, Web Analytics

Newsletter Sneak Preview: Success in the Recession Case Study

I’m putting the finishing touches on July’s Small Business Newsletter. Use the handy form to your left to get a copy delivered to your inbox!

This month’s issue will feature a case study. I’ll explain how exactly one of my clients is doing more business now than he was before the recession!

[Read more…]

July 28, 2009 by Peter

Filed Under: Search Engine Optimization, Small Business Tagged With: adwords, case study, google, ppc, search engine optimization, small business, Web Analytics

Web News – Bits & Pieces May 2009

So I simply haven’t had time to complete a real blog post in a little while.  In lieu of a content filled post, I’ll just fill you in on what I’ve been spending my time on.

[Read more…]

May 7, 2009 by Peter

Filed Under: Life, Technology Tagged With: google, news, php, small business, social media, twitter, Web Analytics, Web Development

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