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What are Web Analytics?
Web analytics covers a broad range of data collection and mining from web sites and servers on the Internet. Web analytics got its start with the small visitor counters that were popular additions to websites several years ago which clocked each visit to the site. Today, web analytics is much more comprehensive and provides a lot of different kinds of information to site owners and operators interested in finding out about who is populating their sites as well as other vital performance indicators and statistics that can help webmasters adapt their sites to run more efficiently and effectively.
How Web Analytics Work
Web analytics software can collect information from one of two sources: log files from web servers or page tagging from imbedded JavaScript codes. These two different data collectors send their data to the web analytic software which then performs the function of the software by breaking down the data into understandable charts, graphs, statistics, etc. that are easily readable and understandable for the user of the software. The user can specify what kind of information they want to see on the outputs for the analysis; examples of some web analytics outputs include total visits, unique visits, usage peaks, general geographic locations of visitors, and more.
Web Analytics: Logfiles vs. Page Tagging
As mentioned earlier, web analytics is accomplished by collecting information from two different sources, either individually or mutually. Logfile web analysis is typically used by owners or operators of web servers since the servers automatically generate the log files that are analyzed for information. Page tagging is typically used by individuals or businesses that do not have their own web servers. The JavaScript code is imbedded onto each page of their website, when the pages are accessed the script sends the information to the web analytics software that then analyzes the new information and updates the statistical readouts for the owners or operators of the site.
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