Google Analytics wont give you everything
June 10th, 2009 | 
Author: Google Analytics is very robust and certainly one of the most affordable web analytical programs out there. But sometimes we Web Marketers need additional information that is up to date to understand exactly what is happening when someone visits our website. Unfortunately Google Analytics doesn’t cut it by itself.
Because Google Analytics is about 3 hours behind in its data delivery, I suggest installing a real time analytics package to supplement your Google Analytics data. Real time analytics will give you live data that is up to the minute. It will allow you to see exactly what is going on when a visitor hits your website.
One of the best and most affordable real time analytics packages that I have found and use is Clicky Analytics. Clicky Analytics is great for many reasons. First off, it is real time. Second, it breaks down the data into an easy to understand format, and thirdly, it has a “SPY” feature that allows you to see who is on your website in real time. The “SPY” feature is useful because it will give you insight on how visitors are using your site while they are actually doing it. Once you know how visitors use your site, you can make positive changes to help convert them into customers.
Of course Clicky is not the end all be all. Google Analytics has many features that Clicky does not, but until Google Analytics becomes live, you should supplement it with a real time tracking package like Clicky Analytics.
Please comment if you are using either of these programs or if you know of any other great analytical programs that compare.
Don’t forget to checkout our Decoding Google Analytics online training course.
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Interesting. You would think that Google would make GA real time. I never thought about using two analytic software. Thanks
Thank you for a very informative website. You point out many good issues like being targeted and personal in your approaches. However the platform is build by you and your colleges so a lot of internal understanding and cooperation is needed and all functions concentrated on the same target; making the Online Marketing profitable. For many companies a major issue is to understand and accept that all functions are equally important from ides over production to sales. Once the strategy is established the next but very important question comes up; how do we communicate this in order to reach our target group? The scope of an Online Marketing company is to ensure the link and understanding between the visions and the realities, a very challenging job.