Ok, Google Analytics, I take it back

When Google first acquired MeasureMap (and hired Jeffrey Veen), I wrote this post called: Really? Measure Map + Google.

Google hasn’t had a great history digesting acquisitions (neither has my company) and I was concerned that Google would screw this up. Also, while I saw potential in MeasureMap, I didn’t think it met the expectations that they set for themselves.

Well, I am happy to have been wrong. The new Google Analytics is truly a case of 1+1 > 2. Jeffrey Veen and the whole Analytics + MeasureMap team really came together and created a beautiful, functional, and useful analytics package.

I’ve long used Mint on my site, but I’ve recently started using GA along side it and I am fast becoming a fan. There is tons of info, tons of ways to slice and dice but yet it feels incredibly simple. One issue (but this was there with Urchin) is that there are still too many features, but they have done an amazing job of hiding the complexity from the average joe (or Scott).

My favorites:

  • Beautiful graphs with comparison features (compare this period with some other period of time)
  • World map shows where your visitors come from
  • Click on any data point to drill down (Feedburner stats does this well too)
  • Navigation Summary shows entry points and where users clicked next – a complex concept well executed.

So, Google, and Jeffrey, I take back my doubt. Acquisitions are good for companies when they produce these kind of results. Now, lets hope for DoubleClick’s, and Aquantive’s and Right Media’s sake that this turns into a trend.

4 thoughts on “Ok, Google Analytics, I take it back”

  1. You’ve got to be kidding. Like most of the positive posts about the new Analytics, yours is all about its “beauty” unfortunately for the people who use Analytics everyday, this is a big step backwards.

    Suggest you read through the comments here: http://www.veen.com/jeff/archives/000965.html#comments
    especially towards the bottom – not the “oooh, new, pretty” crowd toward the top.

  2. Dear Scott,

    there is one big advantage I have missed in your article. By using Google Analytics you get more reliable information and a proof of concept if a traffic source is delivering real visitors or simply generating “fake” traffic.

    graphically & sincerely,

    Marc Klein
    mediaVinci – The art of invention
    (formerly known as PIXEL INDUSTRIES)

  3. Dear Scott & Dan Grossman,

    every online statistic tool has its pros and cons. One positive aspect was mentioned in my prior posting.

    On the other hand however, the website owner or webmaster has to be aware that he or she is sharing his entire log files and the possibly “very valuable information” with another company. I mean do your personally know anyone from this logfile analytics provider?

    Joining any online logfile analytics provider is like as if you would hand out the statement of your bank account each day. It’s a trust thing.

    Webmasters and website owners should also consider to respect the online privacy of their website visitors.

    On my opinion every webmaster who is processing real-time logfile analysis on his or her website should clearly indicate this information on the homepage.

    I mean, would you like to go to a shopping store where you can buy clothings for example and the shop owner is looking over your shoulder every 2 seconds? Watching and analysing your reactions and your facial expression each time you are holding another product in your hands?

    ” Would you like to disconnect now?”

    [ CANCEL ] [ OK ]

    graphically & sincerely,

    Marc Klein
    mediaVinci – The art of invention
    (formerly known as PIXEL INDUSTRIES)

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