Why is it important? What data do I collect and how do I interpret it?
Website monitoring of your Small Business Website is an important ongoing activity in the achievement of your website and marketing goals. Website tracking and measurement data assists you to continue to improve your results online.
The Internet is an intensely competitive environment and website availability and smooth functioning is extremely important.
Monitor your website to determine:
Downtime – when your website is not available to your customers on the web. This can be caused by problems with your website hosting or with your website. Any downtime issues needs to be rectified immediately.
Website performance indicators such as number of page views, unique visitors, links to your website, broken links, page upload times and errors.
Customer experience and use of your website is seamless and enjoyable. Knowing this and rectifying any problems protects your image, credibility and reputation.
Successful collection of customer contact details and proper functioning of email services from your website.
Correct functioning of shopping cart and product ordering processes.
Unauthorized use or hacking of your website.
How do I collect this data?
A subscription service such as Website Pulse will notify you of any problems encountered with the functioning of your website immediately so you can have the problem rectified as soon as possible.
Google Analytics is free of charge but you can purchase support packages from a Google Analytics Certified Professional. They will set up your account, tailor it to your needs and assist with analysis of your data.
Your website hosting provider may monitor your website and provide some data but you will need to decide if this is adequate. Your web design company may provide a continuing monitoring and assessment service for a monthly or yearly charge. This is a fairly common element of website design and hosting contracts.
Website monitoring and analysis results in the successful fulfillment of your website and marketing goals.
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