Thread: Top Ten Myths About Google Analytics

The Google Analytics Team recently compiled a list of the top ten most common myths and misconceptions regarding their analytics tool and posted it here for your viewing pleasure:

Google Analytics Blog: Web Analytics Tips & Tricks: Top Ten Myths About Google Analytics

Good read. I find the possibilities of G.A. indeed overwhelming and hope to find some time available to do the Conversion University. Besides that, the best experience can probably be gained by testing out all its features especially the custom fields.

Myth #4 can be quite true. I've seen some data in GA recently which just isn't possible, and some data which conflicts directly with other GA data. Both screens can't be accurate.

But overall, GA is a freakishly good free tool -- even if it does require a week of studying to use the tool to reasonable degree of effectiveness.

I hope Google is enjoying all of the data it's gathering and storing from me and my site visitors. I have trouble imagining that it's worth what they are (in effect) paying for it.

Great contribution friend, though some of the myths are not that much familiar to me, it is helpful. It's a good read, but have to do some implementations to get better idea and practical knowledge...

That is a bit of a marketing spin post on the part of the GA team.

I see the following myths as being untrue.

MYTH 2: Google Analytics is basic and doesn't have any "advanced" features or metrics

When compared to real web analytics tools, it is relatively basic. However, you do get what you pay for because advanced web analytics tools cost upwards of $500. The problem with advanced analytics tools is that companies only rarely use the tools for anything other than tracking traffic, which is provided for free with AwStats or Webalizer. The learning curve with advanced web metrics tools can be substantial.

MYTH 4: Google Analytics is not really accurate

We know it is not accurate and cannot capture information when a user has JavaScript disabled in their browser, such as when security is set to High in IE.

The real problem is that Google does not offer a comprehensive manual or training program to familiarize users with its features. If there is one, I am not aware of it. I've learned more from reading books that I bought. I find AwStats to be more useful and less cryptic.

Originally Posted by TopDogger

The real problem is that Google does not offer a comprehensive manual or training program to familiarize users with its features. If there is one, I am not aware of it.

What Google has, they publish at their Conversion University.

Originally Posted by TopDogger

That is a bit of a marketing spin post on the part of the GA team.

I see the following myths as being true.

MYTH 4: Google Analytics is not really accurate

We know it is not accurate and cannot capture information when a user has JavaScript disabled in their browser, such as when security is set to High in IE.

The real problem is that Google does not offer a comprehensive manual or training program to familiarize users with its features. If there is one, I am not aware of it. I've learned more from reading books that I bought. I find AwStats to be more useful and less cryptic.

I also loved AWStats over Analytics as well. There used to be a rather large gap in what Analytics was reporting compared to AwStats in terms of visitors, bounce rate, time on site, unqiues etc etc, I moved my Analytics code from footer to header, and it helped close the gap some, but its still beyond 15% difference for some reason.

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

What Google has, they publish at their Conversion University.

Thanks. I will check out that page.

Originally Posted by Sundance

.. I moved my Analytics code from footer to header, and it helped close the gap some, but its still beyond 15% difference for some reason.

Care to enlighten me what makes the difference ?

That list says that Google uses only 1st party cookies and I had to scratch my head - On my site a 1st party cookie would be one of my own and third party would be something, well, like a Google analytics cookie......

Did I miss something here?