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If you don’t know where you are now – how will you get to where you’re going?
Fortunately, tools such as Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools come to the rescue.
In my previous post, I talked about constantly changing and testing variables on your website for maximum results.
The question then becomes: You’ve got your site online, but what do you do next?
First, install a traffic statistics program from your hosting company or install the free Google Analytics code on each web page. All you need to do is set up a free Google account, and once you go into the Analytics control panel, tell it the domain name, and it will display a short snippet of code that you just copy and paste onto each page.
Next, it’s time to start collecting various traffic and keyword statistics (Google Analytics does this automatically behind the scenes). Don’t make any changes to the site for a period of time, maybe a month or so depending on traffic. This will give you a baseline average. Now you’ll know where you are…
Then, any time you make any changes (make sure to change only one variable at a time), wait for the same time period and watch your numbers.
This will give you an idea if the change improved things, or if it made it worse.
Google Analytics is pretty cool and gives you a ton of great information. Information such as all sorts of different traffic stats, visitor techie details, maps, and keywords used. Plus, it’s pretty easy to use.
Google Webmaster Tools is another free resource you can use to check out other useful statistics and information about your site.
Now go get started and find out what your baseline numbers are, so you can start making all the positive changes and testing on your way to get the spectacular results you really want.
To get more information about writing compelling web copy, about this post, web/online advice, or about my direct response web copywriting services, e-mail me or call me at 603-686-5140.
To your website’s success!
And if you need offline direct response marketing copy and advice, go to www.crestviewmarketing.com
Merrill Clark
Website and Marketing Copywriter
Crestview Marketing Services LLC
Great post. I will read your posts frequently. Added you to the RSS reader.
You do have some helpful hints here. I use Google Analytics all the time; nothing else seems to come close.