May 18, 2007

Biznology Blog by Mike Moran

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The New Google Analytics

I held off writing about the new version of Google Analytics because my Web site's statistics had not been converted to the new stuff yet. Now it has. My first take—this is a huge improvement.

Unless I am missing something (entirely possible), I think the numbers are mostly the same. What's changed is the design and the visualization of the user interface.

As someone who worked with some fantastic designers while at ibm.com, I have to say that Google has outdone itself. The look has just enough visualizations and has done a much better job with typography—the numbers are big and bold to really stand out.

My experience with user interface changes is that it is typical for them to be received skeptically or even negatively at first, even when they eventually prove to be well-founded. Many people just like what they are used to, rather than having to deal with a change that requires relearning tasks they already know.

But this change just seems too good. I was used to the old interface but this one immediately felt more comfortable, even though it is new. I'll leave it to Avinash Kaushik, Web metrics expert and now a consultant to Google, to lay out all the great new stuff in Google Analytics, but my first impression is overwhelmingly positive. If you thought that you couldn't afford easy-to-use analytics, check out the new Google Analytics.

Posted by MikeMoran at May 18, 2007 12:10 PM

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Comments

You missed a lot. The numbers are not the same (many people are reporting huge data inaccuracies) key analytics such as hourly reports, cross reference by network location, keyword cross reference are missing and there are very key usability issues conversion reports listed without visit data, no column summaries, oversized superfluous graphs, missing city data at the global level (maps), no bulk export for reports (only 100 at a time) the list goes on and on. Add to that the almost unreadable graphs that go top to bottom instead of left to right, the graphs that do not cross reference views, the funnel graph that used to fit on one page that can now cause to scroll ad infinitum, the obnoxiously large calendar you cannot get rid of and you have a far inferior product from before. It is not better for anyone needing serious metrics and it would be nice if people who wrote these glowing reviews were people who actually used it.

Posted by: Jane Smith at May 22, 2007 3:04 AM

I do actually use it, Jane, but I guess I don't use it the same way you do. I know a lot about Web metrics--I used to be in charge of ibm.com's Web metrics--but I believe that making something easier to use is what most people need. I find that most people are too intimidated to use any metrics at all. I think that Google's new version makes the simple things far simpler than before, and that is a good thing for the vast majority of marketers. I totally understand your frustration as a power user that some of the features don't work as well as before (or don't work at all in some cases as you say), but I firmly believe that a free tool must be easy and this tool has gotten far easier. I'd love to hear more about what you are finding, however--could you expand a bit about one or two of the things you find especially egregious? Thanks for your feedback on the post--I look forward to more discussion.

Posted by: Mike Moran at May 22, 2007 6:36 AM

Well i am started using google analytics two weeks ago i done everything right but its not working after two weeks my statistics suggest only 1 visitor which i can't understand. i check the code again and again but all of no good. there seems to be some problem with this tool.

Posted by: wasif at June 8, 2007 8:04 AM